Camilla Kerslake - Camilla Kerslake
Review by Jack Foley
TWENTY- one-year-old Camilla Kerslake burst onto the scene after being signed to Take That singer Gary Barlow’s new Future Records label.
Barlow says of the classical singer’s voice: “I was instantly captivated by it… Her voice is a unique and powerful instrument.”
The story behind him discovering it is remarkable, however, and a true testament to Kerslake’s persistence. Earlier this summer, Kerslake determined to make a name for herself and camped outside a London studio for weeks on end.
She eventually got to hand deliver her demo tape to Barlow and the rest is history. She’s since been championed by Terry Wogan and will be supporting Il Divo on their Christmas dates.
Now comes the debut album… a collection of covers and new material that, if nothing else, showcase her striking vocals.
I strike an note of reservation because this review comes off the back of having heard only five songs out of the 12 that comprise the debut. But they do enough to confirm Kerslake as a major talent.
Her Italian rendition of Take That’s Rule The World is the outstanding highlight, delivered with finesse, passion, power and beauty. It’s a captivating classical makeover to an instantly recognisable pop hit.
Her cover of Elvis Presley’s I Can’t Help Falling In Love is deliberately and carefully delivered, so as to pronounce every word perfectly. And while that can be distracting, her delivery of the classic build-up is stunning.
Lead single How Can I Keep From Singing is achingly romantic and similarly well realised, proving she can deliver unknown songs just as effectively as the classics, while Largo rounded off the sampler in enchanting fashion.
The remainder of the album includes such mainstays as Pie Jesu and Christmas classics such as Silent Night and White Christmas that I can only imagine are similarly beautifully realised.
Suffice to say, the same capivation that Barlow felt upon hearing and then signing her should translate well to whoever buys this album.
View photos of Camilla Kerslake
Download picks: Rule The World, She Moved Through The Fair, Largo
Track listing:
Disc One
Disc Two
- Silent Night
- In The Bleak Midwinter
- The First Noel
- Abide With Me
- White Christmas