Russell’s new CD _ “Anthems”

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Russell’s new album ‘Anthems – Music To Inspire A Nation’ is now available.

Anthems
Released: 28/05/2012
1. Jerusalem
2. I Vow To Thee My Country / World In Union
3. Race To The End (Chariots Of Fire)
4. Danny Boy (The Londonderry Air)
5. Abide With Me
6. Calon Lan [Featuring The Fron Male Voice Choir]
7. If (Nimrod)
8. The Flower Of Scotland [Featuring The Murray Pipers]
9. The White Cliffs Of Dover [With Dame Vera Lynn]
10. Proud
11. We Are The Champions
12. Rule Britannia
13. Land Of Hope And Glory
14. God Save The Queen

How the album’s progress has been marked…

Russell himself gave the first hint that a new album was on its way when he used Twitter to say that he was ‘pondering’ the idea, followed by an invitation to suggest songs of a patriotic nature that would evoke the spirit of Britishness.

Following much speculation about possible titles and tracks, he came back on Twitter (2nd April) to say that there had not yet been a definite decision on the title and added that he was really pleased with the progress his brilliant team were making.

Since then there have been several  radio interviews  where Russell has used that title and likely track-lists have been discussed, please see below. 

Today (16th April) a new advertisement for the album appeared from  Steroboard.com complete with another new picture of Russell and yet another title, Proud, in the content description.  A similar advert from  SonicShocks  carries a slightly different version the new picture.

Here’s how things have developed so far…

Russell first mooted the idea of a new album on 6th March by Tweeting, “What a beautiful day !! Hmmmm I might start thinking about my next record release today …. #pondering“

A number of his Twitter-followers responded with a wide variety of suggestions, including ‘stop pondering and get on with it’.   He later replied,  “Thanks for all the feedback on the potential new record …… I am feeling patriotic this year . What’s your favourite patriotic song ?“

The following morning he Tweeted, “Ok – we need songs that are linked to Britain but , not just pomp and circumstance . Send em in and I will pick a favourite later . X“ and then in the evening, “Jerusalem is still number one !! I might have to include that x“

It began to look as though, if time allowed, there may be a CD of popular British songs to accompany the Diamond Jubilee Tour.

On 10th March, Russell followed up the Tweets with a picture of himself with record producer Nick Patrick, “In the studio with legendary producer Nick Patrick , who gave me my two biggest hit records ! X  http://yfrog.com/oeev8ukj“. 

Less speculative were the Tweets of 26th March…

“Air Lyndhurst today with the greatest classical crossover producer alive , Nick Patrick ! Music sounds amazing . Will let you know more soon”
followed by…
“Pictures to come ……. Nothing beats music x“ 

Here’s a piece about  AIR Studios, located at Lyndhurst Hall, Hampstead, North London.

Russell’s Musical Director, Robert Emery, came in with a Tweet of his own…
“At Air recording @russellthevoice new album. My orchestra, Arts Symphonic (http://www.arts-symphonic.co.uk) are sounding epic! http://twitpic.com/91oeur“
followed by Russell’s promised picture…

“Jeff Foster , myself and Nick Patrick in George Martins Air Lyndhurst x  http://yfrog.com/occmtgcj“

The next morning Russell Tweeted, “Yes – the gentlemen from the Fron MVC are lovely . Its a privilege to be working with them on the new record x” as the Daily Post carried the following short story…

FRON Male Voice Choir will record a hymn with classical music star Russell Watson for his new album. 

The choir from Froncysyllte met the Manchester based singer on a Christmas TV show last year.  Now they will record Welsh hymn Calon Lan with him at Y Foel studio in Llanfair Caereinion on Thursday.

Choir chairman Dave Jones said: “We sang with Russell on the Ant and Dec show over Christmas, we hit it off with him and now his producer has been in touch to see if we would like to record Calon Lan with him.  Members are excited about the recording of the song.”

The same day,  Lizzie Ball, Leader of the Arts Symphonic Orchestra posted on her Facebook  page… “Wow seriously productive day in Air Studios, leading a session for Russell Watsons NEW ALBUM to be released v soon on Sony Classical, 12 tracks in one day, including a classic rendition of Danny Boy, oh and not forgetting my personal favourite “Race to the End”!! Great fun and a top notch bunch of players too, Thankyou to everyone for some seriously hard work!”

The day after that, so we’re now up to 28th March, Lizzie posted on her  official website  that “… she has been featured in TWO new recordings for Sony Classical, of Vivaldis 4 Seasons with Nigel Kennedy, and for Russell Watson, in her job as leader of Arts Symphonic Orchestra, which also features a lovely violin solo on his version of Greensleeves!! Both records are due for release this summer….“

On 1st April a fellow-fan reported having heard mention of the Jubilee Tour on her local (south of England) radio station along with comments about the new CD.  The title of “Music To Inspire The Nation” was used and a release date given of 28th May, which would be just ahead of the inital tour venue on 31st May at Bridgewater Hall.

The album became available to pre-order from Amazon on Monday 2nd April under the title “Anthems” and, following some Twitter and Facebook comments about the title and track-list, Russell came on Twitter to say, “The new CD is still work in progress . We have a good selection of British classics from Jerusalem to danny boy and some nice surprises X“,  ”Haven’t yet decided on a definite title for the album , but will let you know soon . X“  and  “I’m really pleased with how its all going in the studio ! Have a brilliant team on this record and they are producing super results x“

Russell began promoting the album, and the Tour, in earnest from 13th April with a radio interview with Roy Noble on BBC Radio Wales and a really good long chat with David Allen on BBC Radio Solent.  In the latter interview Russell gave more details of likely tracks – the additional tracks are shown below in blue. 

- – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – -

Artist                   Russell Watson
Title                     Not yet decided   (“Anthems” / “Music To Inspire The Nation”)
Label                   Sony 
Release Date     28th May 2012   (anticipated)   
Producer            Nick Patrick
Orchestra           Arts Symphonic
Leader                Lizzie Ball
Conductor         Robert Emery
Tracks                 12
including -
Churchill’s speech
The Queen’s speech
Land Of Hope And Glory
Flower Of Scotland
Abide With me
We Are The Champions
Nimrod
Jerusalem
Calon Lan    (with the Fron Male Voice Choir)
Danny Boy    (with Moya Brennan)
 White Cliffs Of Dover    (with Dame Vera Lynn)
God Save The Queen
Swing Low
Race To The End
Greensleeves
and quite possibly, according to Steroboard.com -
Proud

not bad for a 12-track album…