Customer Reviews

First Love

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This CD came as a bit of a surprise. The tracks I started out NOT liking (Something Inside) So Strong, I'm So Sorry, I've grown to love. They simply grew on me. The Rose, of course, and If You Go Away are predictably lovely.

This is not an album of vanilla ballads, but individual works, each performed lovingly and with conviction by a fine, fine performer.

Michael Ball's "First Love" CD is the most wonderful music I have ever heard! His Magnificent voice is beautifully enhanced and wonderfully heard in this great buy. "The Rose" is heart stopping "If You Go Away" is spectacular, Hey! the WHOLE CD is spectacular! I LOVE IT!!!!!

Wow!! I just got this album yesterday (thank you, Amazon). It is fantastic. "The Rose" is incredible, and my only complaint of this song is that it is too short!! "Let The River Run" makes you want to get up and dance around the house!! "(Something Inside) So Strong" has a very catchy tune that will grow on you. The orchestration is beautiful, and the songs are wonderful. Buy it and let me know what you think!! Happy Mikey Listening!!

This album is a bit over-orchestrated at times, but it doesn't dimish the fact that Michael Ball has a great voice and can really handle these songs. I'd gotten tired of various versions of "The Rose," but now I love it. But it's impossible to pick a favorite song!

Never could I think of another pop singer that can give such powerful and enchanting vocal delivery! This solo album truly brings out the best of Michael Ball's lush and soaring voice. The songs included are made for his voice and his voice fully fleshes out the songs. While unleashing his breathtaking tenor in full strength, Michael fills every word and note with emotions.

He touched me with his heartbreaking "The Rose", a song that conveys his personal feelings. He amazed me with his bravura in "Somewhere", a haunting classic from "West Side Story". His "How Can I Be Sure", which is one of those songs Michael has way outdone the others, sends out the smoothness and sexiness of his singing. His "If You Go Away", which is sung in English as well as French, reveals the ultimate beauty of a love song. I will never be tired of listening to "I Am Gonna Be Strong" simply because of his ending belting line "How I'll break down and cry". I will never feel the same about the classical song "Caruso" after I listened to Michael's sensational crossover of its English version "If You Believe In Love".

If only the orchestration of some of the songs could cut down a bit, this album would be perfect.

I enjoy this album quite a bit... although sometimes the orchestra/backup singers overwhelm Michael's voice a bit, especially on "Sons and Daughters." "The Rose" and "Walk Away" are my two favorite tracks on this CD. I notice a common theme on this CD is the track starts out with Michael singing, accompanied by some soft music. Then near the end, the song "explodes" with horns and orchestras and choirs, which I think overdoes it a bit.

Includes "The Rose", "Let the River Run", and "If You Go Away." Ball challenges the performers who originated these classic songs with renditions that make the listener think: "Oh, this is the way it's SUPPOSED to be done." Another strong, but little known selection is "Walk Away."

Michael Ball is in good voice here. Many of the tracks feature his strongest singing. While there are a few clunkers as far as song selection ("Somthing Inside So Strong," for example), it is a very well rounded album in that respect. However, some of these selections have been so over orchestrated they are nearly unrecognizable. Michael Ball has a good voice...he doesn't need four orchestras to back him up!

Michael Ball's wonderful and extremely beautiful voice makes every song definitely worth listening! Michael's talented renditions of all the songs - especially of "All by myself" - are the best ever.

Anyone who loves a great tenor should have this album. Mr. Ball's renown is growing outside his native England, and rightfully so. This is not his best album, but it certainly is representative of his incredible voice and range.