ANDREW LLOYD-WEBBER'S - AMOR NUMQUAM MORITUR

Amor Numquam Moritur - Love Never Dies

At one time if anyone had ever said to me I would like musical I would have laughed at them, in my huge music collection it was mainly Soul, Gospel and Chart Pop. The the radio station I worked for decided to run listeners Theatre/Hotel trips to London's West End and on tour someone had to represent the station.

My first visit was to see The Phantom of the Opera and I had such doubts, but I came away loving it and currently I have seen this magic show sixteen times more since, now I would love to see it in Las Vegas in the specially developed theatre. I did many more theatre trips with listeners, Les Miserables, Miss Saigon bit it was the music of Andrew Lloyd-Webber that always reached out and touched me of course Phantom, but also Sunset Boulevard and Aspects of Love.

Now the latest production from the pen of Andrew Lloyd-Webber is a sequel to The Phantom of The Opera and it opened with The Premiere in London's West End last week LOVE NEVER DIES with the story moving to New York and Coney Island.

Listening to the two CD soundtrack of the musical, which has just been released along with a bonus DVD showing both the studio production of the album and rehearsals, along with amazing footage of Coney Island. Two tunes are simply outstanding and says so much about the talent of Andrew Lloyd-Webber. I have managed to get hold of a copy of the souvenir programme and the sets look fantastic.

Some of the critics reviews are knocking this new production but many more also knocked The Phantom of The Opera and they were wrong then, now I want to get to see Love Never Dies as soon as I can, no way can I wait until it tours the provinces of the UK.

REFLECTED REVIEW!

YES! The debut album from DAVIS OSMOND - REFLECTED arrived at the weekend (Thanks Valerie) and it has never been off the CD player since!

It is as Good as I expected and knew it would be from David, I know of no one who puts so much "Soul" in their vocal and singing, you know that it comes from straight from the heart, the lyrics are so strong and mean so much, the album is full or warmth and sincerity, anyway a little about some of the tracks that stand out so far to me and I can tell you it is still growing more every day on me.

I have to be honest and admit that I am a typical Brit and we are not into some of the American rock produced music, but that does not deter from the quality of the tracks.

"You Wanted Me" this is David at his best for me and he lets the vocal do all the talking, I would dare anyone to doubt this can only come straight from the heart and every word in the lyric is truly meant.

"In My Life" once more the vocal is so strong and the lyrics so meaningful.

"Needle and Thread" just grows more on me with each play, the lyric just have to be listened to, no one could carry them through with such warmth and soul as David does.

"To a Girl" just has to be heard, the lyrics just roll of David's tongue and vocal.

You must now be tempted, go on order a copy of the CD today, from David's Online Exclusive Web Store, you can pay by PayPal and by the way the photo above is a full size poster of David also available.

http://www.davidosmondstore.com/

DAVID OSMOND - REFLECTED DEBUT SOLO CD

At last and after a lot of dedication both by David and his wife Valerie it is Great News to announce the release of DAVID OSMOND'S DEBUT SOLO CD - REFLECTED.

Many of you who read my Blog regular will know the respect I have for David and admiration for the amazing vocal full of soul and warmth that he has. Now everyone has the opportunity to listen to a full album of David's work.

You are not going to see it in your local record store at present and neither on music websites, but you can get a copy today straight from The Office David Osmond Store Website and here you can also get the CD autographed by David and even personalised if you wish, you will also find posters and photo's of David which again can be signed if you so wish.

http://www.davidosmondstore.com/index.html

My copy of the album was mailed from the USA, the moment David received the first copies in time for The Launch Party Concert that was held for both the media and fans in Utah on the 1 March. The moment I receive my copy, I will let you know more about the album and tracks, meanwhile if you want to listen to a sample of tracks from the "REFLECTED" album you can now on;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iDjrEZPOoXY

Then go on order your copy today and I will let you into a secret there could be more good news from David in August!

Snow Cripples the UK

Just days in the new year and the news is that snow cripples the UK, each year so often we seem to face the same problem, we do not get enough snow to invest in equipment to keep the country moving as in the USA, but it does cause serious problems.

Schools in the small village I live in are closed again today, there is very little sound of traffic and the car park at the rear is completely blocked, cars can neither get in or out, and the forecast is for the temperature to drop even more tonight and over the next few days with more snow forecast for the weekend. It is about the most serious I have seen since I have lived here.

Now they are telling us that we are having to import even more gas from Europe as the calls for power to keep us warm increase. It's funny the long term weather forecast from the UK Meteorological Office was for a mild winter, but then again they told us we were were going to have a barbecue summer and that never really developed!

Blame it all on the Global Warming!

2010 - YEAR FOR CHANGE?

Well here we are at the start of a new decade and the end of what has become known as "The Noughties" and a chance to wish all who reads my blog a VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR!

At the start of a new year it is always the time to reflect and look back and sadly many memories are sad, 9/11 - The Iraq War - Afghanistan and The Financial Collapse of the Banks worldwide! so perhaps it is better to instead look forward.

Here in the UK it is a General Election year and after a decade of so many missed chances and waste with public money is it the YEAR FOR CHANGE? - in 2009 it came to the USA with Barack Obama and though many people have expected far too much in his first year of office, only time will tell if he will deliver. Now perhaps is the right time for CHANGE, that we so badly need in the UK, far too many politicians in office look tired and weary with nothing to offer, so lets see what the UK voters decide. Let's just HOPE it does get better for everyone .

The Christ of Christmas

Help us reach a million people with the Gospel this year The Christ of Christmas

Winter Break 2009

First day back after a four day break by the coast and the opportunity to do some things I have never experienced since a very young boy on holiday with my Parents.

Up to the age of seven we used to holiday each year at Bispham in Blackpool for two weeks late June early July, then later in the year October at my Aunties caravan in Cleveleys for a week. As well as the annual street or Sunday School coach trip to see the Illuminations.

The trip to the caravan always allowed us to visit the world famous Blackpool Illuminations and a ride on one of the trams which are decorated in the lights. The Illuminations run from the end of August until the second week in November and are widely known as the greatest free show it has run since 1879 and attracts millions of extra tourists each year as the summer season draws to a close. The lights’ cable and wiring stretches more than 74 miles (120km) and there are more than 400,000 lamps of various types and styles. Electricity consumption has been reduced by nearly half in recent years with the introduction of the latest technology low voltage neon, lamps and micro processor controls.

So this year we decided to do an open deck double decker bus trip through through the lights, well on a cold November evening, just four of us did! but it did keep dry and the high winds of the previous days calmed.

The visit also allowed us to visit The Blackpool Tower, it was opened in 1894 after the Mayor had visitited the Great Exhibition in Paris. The Tower is 518 feet 9 inches tall and can be seen from a 30 mile radius, it features a lift which takes you to the glass windowed observation level at 380 feet in just 90 seconds. This level also features a glassed floor looking to the base of the Tower called the "Walk of Faith" many visitors refuse or do anything to avoid walking across it. You also have the opportunity to climb circular stairs for another three levels and the platforms are open to the elements but offer you an amazing view as far as The Lake District. I remember going up the lift when I was very young, but this time I braved also the stairs and wind to the top! If wind speeds go above 45mph The Tower lift is closed for safety reasons. The building itself also features a circus, aquarium, 3D cinema, entertainments, three restaurants and the famous Blackpool Tower Ballroom. The ballroom floor is 120ft x 120ft and is made up of 30,602 blocks of mahogany, oak and walnut. Above the stage is the inscription, "Bid me discourse, I will enchant thine ear" from the poem Venus and Adonis by William Shakespeare. Each crystal chandelier in the ballroom can be lowered to the floor to be cleaned which takes over a week. From 1930 until his retirement in 1970 the resident organist was Reginald Dixon known affectionately as "Mr. Blackpool". The first Wurlitzer organ was installed in 1929, but it was replaced in 1935 by one designed by Reginald Dixon.

So you could say a bracing four days by the sea and a chance to relax bringing back some happy memories.