Personnel include: Russell Watson (vocals); Dean Parks, Jean-Felix Lelanne, Dave Keary (guitar); James Shenton (fiddle); Tony Hinnigan (pennywhistle); Robert White (Uilleann pipe); Eddie Hession (accordion); Gary Barlow, Simon Franglen (keyboards, programming); Tracy Ackerman (background vocals); Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Metro Voices.
Recording information: Sarm Hook End, Berkshire, England; Air Studios, London, England; True North Studios, Cheshire, England.
British singer Russell Watson applies his charming, full-bodied tenor voice to an eclectic set of songs on 2005's AMORE MUSICA. While certain tracks fall squarely into the opera aesthetic, others are more pop-oriented, with Watson commanding attention regardless of the style. Watson's sense of drama is perhaps best served by his renditions of compositions from the films GLADIATOR (the majestic "Il Gladiatore") and ROB ROY (the delicate "You'll Still Be There for Me"). Along with "The Alchemist," an emotional duet with Lara Fabian that also boasts a cinematic sweep, these tracks prove to be the record's highlights.
