Search - Michael Ball :: Back to Bacharach

Great concept falls flat somewhere along the way...

Operator13 | 01/26/2008

(3 out of 5 stars)

"I'm an ardent, till-I-die fan of Michael Ball, and while I'm only casually appreciative of Burt Bacharach's music, I love what Michael had done with his songs on previous albums. They're both wonderful storytellers in their own way - this marriage of talents should be one made in heaven, no?

Press releases described this album as a new direction for Michael: the sophisticated, low-key, jazzy kind of stuff you play late at night. The cover art is dark, stylish and sexy - on it, Michael has traded in his cheeky, boyish grin for a more intense, mature look that had me in a puddle of fangirl mush when I first saw it. I was aching to have the CD in my hot little hands, so you can imagine my surprise and dismay when I played it the first time and was more or less underwhelmed by the whole thing. I've given it a few more turns around the player since then and I still feel the same way.

It's not that I don't appreciate Michael's subtle side (his versions of "If You Could Read My Mind," "Fever," and "Time in a Bottle" are among my favorites of his) but you won't find any of the kind of power-house ballads he's known for here, and I feel that the album suffers for it. Michael's not really able to put his 'stamp' on much of the material. It's an album I'll pull out when I want some background music, not when I want to listen to Michael Ball. If that was the intention of the producers and Michael, it was a misguided one, I think. It's not bad by any means, just plain OK - and I think anyone bothering to read this review knows that Michael is capable of far better than just OK.

The one standout track I can think of is "This Guy's in Love With You," previously heard on his 2003 album, A Love Story. It was a sweet, playful song there; Michael's reading was optimistic yet guarded. On B2B it's given a quiet, intimate arrangement, and Michael here is sexy, sly and confident - more like a man who's sweet-talking his way to a conquest than one who's head-over-heels in love but somewhat unsure of himself. It serves as a great example of Michael's talent and artistry, if nothing else on the album does."

Good but not great!

Lois G. Jackson | Boulder, C | 06/21/2009

(3 out of 5 stars)

"I am a big fan of Michael Ball's but this is not my favorite album. I don't believe it showcase's his talent!"

Delicious Ear Candy

J. Hovey | san francisco, ca USA | 10/20/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Need I say more - the perfect combo - the amazing voice, the impeccable phrasing, the perfect elocution - all add up to an aural delight.



Yep, I love Michael but must say he does better than expected on this CD.



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