ACOUSTIC OVERTURES
The Songs Of Dougal Irvine
Album Description:
This long-awaited album features 12 previously unrecorded songs specially selected from Dougal Irvine’s catalogue of work, with brand new arrangements by Peter White, and performances by leading West End actors; Julie Atherton (Avenue Q), Samantha Barks (O2 Les Miz), Annalene Beechey (BBC Prom 59), Daniel Boys (Avenue Q), Sarah Earnshaw (Jekyll & Hyde), Ashleigh Gray (Wicked), Ross Hunter (Legally Blonde), Michael Jibson (Road Show), Sarah Lark (Oliver), Rebecca Lock (Phantom), Cassie McIvor (Scott Alan album vocalist), Amy Pemberton (Rock Of Ages), Stuart Matthew Price (Shrek), Lauren Samuels (We Will Rock You), and George Ure (Wicked), plus a special album foreword by Stephen Fry.
“Dougal’s music can be parodic and witty as well as deeply lyrical or fabulously uplifting, rousing and anthemic too … completely original in tone, style and manner. You hear no ghostly footfalls of Sondheim or Menkin, just the original voice of a wonderful composer/lyricist.” Stephen Fry.
Dougal Irvine is an award winning new writer of British Musical Theatre. His first musical ‘Departure Lounge’ has played New York, Chicago and London, and was nominated alongside five multi-million pound West End shows in the ‘Best New Musical’ category at the WhatsOnStage Awards. His second musical ‘In Touch’ played the Edinburgh Festival last year to five star reviews, and is due for production in London early next year. He is also the lyricist on the TMA Award Nominated ‘Britain’s Got Bhangra’ which is currently on its second UK Tour, prior to a West End run.
Reviews:
“This compilation of tunes from shows written by the man behind ‘Departure Lounge’ grandly showcases his talent for crafting theater songs with a decided pop flair, particularly in gentle ballads like ‘Silence and the Rain’ (gracefully delivered by McIvor and Boys) and the more rock-infused ‘Do You Want a Baby Baby?’ (performed by a powerhouse Julie Atherton). His lyrics can have a colloquial quality that cuts straight to the emotional core of his serious numbers.” Andy Propst - TheaterMania
Tracklisting:
- MR MUSICAL – Amy Pemberton
- CLEAN CUT RAPPER – Dougal Irvine
- TWO FACES – Ashleigh Gray
- SILENCE AND THE RAIN – Cassie McIvor & Daniel Boys
- THE MORNING AFTER YOU DO IT – Ross Hunter
- MEGAN’S HERO – Lauren Samuels
- TIR NA N’OG – Samantha Barks & Dougal Irvine
- SIMPLE – Michael Jibson
- DO YOU WANT A BABY BABY? – Julie Atherton
- MERMAIDS – Annalene Beechey & Rebecca Lock
- WE NEED LOVE – Sarah Earnshaw, Sarah Lark, Stuart Matthew Price & George Ure
Bonus Track:
SONG FOR FRIENDS – Dougal Irvine
Credits:
Produced by Simon Greiff for SimG Records
Recording Engineered by Peter White & Siggi Sigtryggsson
Mixed & Mastered by Siggi Sigtryggsson
V ocals Recorded at London Elektrik, September 2011
CD Design & Art Direction by Simon Beechey at ATD Graphic Design
Album Photography by Michael David Smith
Musical Supervision by Peter White
All songs arranged by Peter White and Dougal Irvine, except ‘Mermaids’ and ‘We Need Love’ arranged by Peter White, Dougal Irvine and Mark Collins
Released 1st November 2011 by SimG Records
Catalogue Number: SimGR-CD07
Customer Reviews:
“Dougal's debut album is a wonderfully diverse mixture of songs … each song is so different from the one before and you are guaranteed to find yourself smiling and laughing one minute, and emotionally moved the next. My favourite song is the sweet and touching duet ‘Tir Na N'Og’. A must-have for any musical theatre lover, and even for those who aren't.”
“A great debut album from an up and coming musical theatre composer (best known for ‘Departure Lounge’). The songs are wonderfully catchy and easy to sing along to and listen to over and over again. From the upbeat ‘Mr Musical’ and rocky ‘The Morning After You Do It’, to the more mellow and beautifully written ‘Tir Na N'Og’ and ‘Silence and the Rain’ this album has something for everyone, and the songs can't be heard anywhere else. Added bonus that the album features many great West End actors, each very well suited to the track that they sing on.”
Buy the CD:
Available ‘here’
Also available on iTunes and from DressCircle and BritishTheatre |
