Leona Lewis – Spirit (The Deluxe Edition)

Leona Lewis – Spirit (The Deluxe Edition)

By Ashleigh Morris

Leona’s re-release of Spirit contains only three new tracks from the original version. However these extras take the album from being simply good, into must have territory.

The beautiful cover of Snow Patrol’s Run gives the original a ‘run’ for its money and Forgive Me, an up-tempo number from Akon, shows she has the ability to sing more than just ballads.

The rest of the album showcases the 2006 X-Factor winner’s voice to perfection with a collection of beautiful ballads – some co-written by Miss Lewis, who proves herself to have a voice like Mariah Carey but without the diva tantrums.

Counting Crows – August and Everything After

Counting Crows – August and Everything After

By Ashleigh Morris

Counting Crows debut album sets a standard so high it is impossible for the band’s future offerings to compete.

Adam Duritz, lead vocal as well as composer of most songs, has a unique twang to his voice, giving the music an almost country-like sound at times.

The songs fit together like a jigsaw puzzle: you feel like you are listening to a collection of music rather than random songs stuck together on an album, like so much of today’s music.

Duritz’s writing manages to be great both musically and lyrically, producing haunting, meaningful music and giving the impression he has actually lived the lyrics.

His songs have recurring mentions of angels, ghosts, cats, rain and the colour grey, as well as a woman named Maria (rumoured to be Maria McKee of Show Me Heaven fame who features on the backing vocals for the moving Sullivan Street).

The infamous Mr. Jones is the album’s most easily recognised hit but every song pulls its weight and there are no tracks worth missing out. Raining In Baltimore, Round Here, Rain King and Sullivan Street are especially worth listening out for.

Pussycat Dolls – Doll Domination

Pussycat Dolls – Doll Domination

By Ashleigh Morris

The Doll’s don’t vary their sound much from their debut in this, their second offering.

With more ballads like I Hate This Part, there is a more mellow feel but the girls don’t stray far from their signature poppy R ‘n’ B sound. There are still plenty of up-tempo numbers for the girls to dance to since the absence of their ginger member has taken them down to a more easily choreographed five.

The album is packed with as many star guest appearances as the first, featuring vocals from Snoop Dogg, Missy Elliott, R. Kelly and New Kids On the Block.

‘Practically Perfect’ In Every Way

 By Ashleigh Morris

When I was asked if I wanted to go to see Mary Poppins at the Edinburgh Playhouse I wasn’t entirely sure. Yes I used to love the Walt Disney film but that was when I was six years old and I was not convinced I would harbour the same feelings towards it now. All the same, I went along with an open mind.

Any doubts I had disappeared with the opening scene. The cast were impressive, with Caroline Sheen playing the aloof yet kind Mary Poppins to perfection alongside Daniel Crossley as chimney sweep Bert. Niamh Coombes and Edward Cooke gave worthy performances as the spoilt but lovable children Jane and Michael Banks.

All the well loved characters from the film feature along with the addition of George Banks’ old nanny Miss Andrew who provides the requisite baddie necessary in all childrens’s musicals, and attracts an appropriate response from the audience.

I was unsure how the magic of the film would transfer onto the stage but the special effects were spectacular, with Mary Poppins flying away as she does in the film, and Bert walking up one side of the stage, along the roof and down the other side. This, along with the never-ending contents of Mary’s bag and dancing statues, is sure to keep the younger members of the audience intrigued.

Cameron Mackintosh’s production comes to Edinburgh for the first time after a successful three year run on London’s West End. It is a combination of the famous 1964 Walt Disney film starring Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke, and the original stories by P.L. Travers.

Classic, well-known songs such as ‘A Spoonful of Sugar’, ‘Chim Chim Cher-ee’, ‘Let’s Go Fly a Kite’ and ‘Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious’ take me back to my childhood but there is also the addition of new songs and a slightly adapted storyline which prevent the plt from getting dull for those who have seen the film numerous times. Accompanied by well thought out, impressively performed choreography, the musical numbers are every bit as good as you would expect.

Overall Mary Poppins provides great entertainment for the whole family and any fans of musical theatre. Catchy songs, astounding special effects and a spectacular finale all combine to give a ‘Practically Perfect’ performance which will leave you singing all the way home.