When I was a child (well, from when I was about 12, I think) a fantastic show came on TV which I followed every week and refused to miss. I'm talking about Fame, a TV series about a group of children who attend the School of Performing Arts. I wouldn't miss an episode - they were sad, funny and had great musical numbers sung by very talented actors and dancers.
However, as much as I enjoyed watching the show, the thought I'd ever meet any of them seemed an impossible dream - but I was wrong! Many years later I got the golden opportunity to interview one of my favourite actresses from the show, Valerie Landsburg. To cut a long story short, we did the interview in two parts and she was good enough to send me her album Grownup which she wanted me to review. You can buy the album from Val via her website www.valerielandsburg.com - go on, buy yourself or someone you love a present now! You know you want to!
However, as much as I enjoyed watching the show, the thought I'd ever meet any of them seemed an impossible dream - but I was wrong! Many years later I got the golden opportunity to interview one of my favourite actresses from the show, Valerie Landsburg. To cut a long story short, we did the interview in two parts and she was good enough to send me her album Grownup which she wanted me to review. You can buy the album from Val via her website www.valerielandsburg.com - go on, buy yourself or someone you love a present now! You know you want to!
Review of Grownup by Valerie Landsburg
I inserted the CD into the machine, lay back, closed my eyes - and was assailed by the voice of an angel in the form of Fame actress VALERIE LANDSBURG.
The sweet, melodic voice of VALERIE, which complements the music so well, filled the air lifting my spirits so that I felt I simply had to replay the album when it finished - again and again!
There are a variety of styles on the album - appropriately enough called GROWNUP - ranging from Jazz to Rock! It also includes a wonderful remix of the hit song she had with Lee Curreri, HI FIDELITY. It's been changed into a ballad but, in fact, it's gained from that. Even though the words are still the same, there is now an almost romantic essence to the song, which has a very pleasing effect.
VALERIE wrote almost all the songs for GROWNUP herself and I can tell you it packs as hard a punch as Mike Tyson! Once it's launched in the UK, I predict the CD will launch into the album charts with an explosion measuring at least 10 on the Richter Scale. The album shows off Valerie's talent and versatility to the best effect.
It's a very eclectic mix - something for everyone. The people who have heard it so far - ranging from the ages of 8 to 80 have loved it. I'm constantly humming FLY HOME, ENDLESS SEA and NEVER NEVER because I can't get the tunes out of my head - and my work colleagues are now asking where I've heard these songs, as the beauty of the words and music is so infectious.
Fans of the series will remember that Valerie had a wonderful voice all those years ago, but in the intervening years her voice has matured considerably and is much stronger now.
You can order the CD from www.cdbaby.com or from Valerie herself at www.valerielandsburg.com.
I recommend you order on line now, before copies sell out.
Happy listening!