Monday 22 November, 2010

Will Martin Does it again with A Dozen of the Best

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Already the youngest ever tenor to debut at number #1 on the UK Classical Charts, Will Martin returns to the record store shelves with a sensational second album

Three years after the multi-platinum success of his debut album A New World, the fabulous Will Martin releases on November 22 his follow up, Inspirations, and again the young New Zealander is backed by some major musical firepower.

Inspirations is a collection of twelve of the world’s most beloved songs, written by the biggest names in the business, and all given Will’s definitive classical crossover treatment with support from the City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra. It’s the songs you love, like you’ve never heard them before.

For Will, Inspirations has always been the album he has longed to make. The passionate entertainer decided to follow his musical dream at the tender age of 18, and since then he has become one of the most sought after male performers in Britain, having appeared in concert at the Royal Albert Hall, Wembley Stadium and the Henley Festival. Still, it’s the recording of Inspirations that has always remained his major goal.

“I know fans will have heard these songs many times, but I wanted to reproduce them in a way I know people find refreshing and engaging,” he says.

“That is what this album is about – performing the world’s most beautiful music, in the most beautiful way, with epic arrangements brought to fruition by Europe’s premier contemporary and orchestral musicians.”

Recorded over six weeks at AIR Studios in the London suburb of Hampstead, Inspirations was produced by the world renowned Simon Franglen and engineered by Jon Bailey, rekindling the partnership that delivered so much on Will’s debut album. Will says it was important to work with the same people again to replicate the now famous crossover sound of A New World. Franglen, for his part, was just as happy to link with the kiwi again.

“I had a great time making Inspirations with Will as we were able to combine a brilliant band, the City of Prague Philharmonic, and some classic songs with Will’s fabulous performances,” he says.

“I think people will find it very, very difficult to resist this record – it gives Will the backdrop to show a new side of himself that will excite his existing fans and bring him many more.”

Will wanted Inspirations to be “the twelve best performances of my life” and the repertoire is as diverse as it is challenging – covering everything from Elton John and Sting, to U2 and Michael Jackson. Each is a premium blend of soaring instruments and impeccable vocals; a lethal combination of ability and enthusiasm.

Not content with producing an album of world class quality, Will has also joined forces with New Zealand athletics golden girl and advocate of women's health, Allison Roe, signing on as an ambassador for the Breast Health Foundation.

As part of this, Will is donating one dollar from every album sold prior to Christmas to the Trust, allowing it to educate and empower women to create a lifetime of optimal breast health through lifestyle change. Allison, a founding member of the Breast Health Foundation is rapt to have such a high profile name working alongside her – especially one prepared to show such altruism.

“I am over the moon that ‘the’ Will Martin, a local kiwi boy of such international acclaim, is prepared to donate to a new foundation that is about preventing breast cancer and empowering women with practical information to apply to their lives.”

“I have had a sneak preview listen of the album and it is absolutely mind blowing! The quality and sound is like nothing before – it is simply in a class of its own and I am so thrilled to be associated with Will’s success.”

To support the release of Inspirations, Will is on the road in New Zealand throughout the summer for a series of concerts at some very different venues.

And as for the album, how pleased is the artist with the end result?

“This is the stuff of dreams – everyone threw themselves, heart and soul, into this project because they knew how important it was to me and you can hear that in the music. For that I thank them!”

Inspirations is available from all good record stores and available for download from iTunes from Monday November 22.

www.willmartin.co.nz

Inspirations TRACK LISTING

1. Your Song Elton John I Still Haven’t Found U2 Wish You Were Here Pink Floyd Nights In White Satin Moody Blues Moondance Van Morrison Just the Way you Are Billy Joel In the Air Tonight Phil Collins Fields of Gold Sting Lately Stevie Wonder The Boxer Simon & Garfunkel Can’t Stop Loving You Michael Jackson Don’t Dream it’s Over Crowded House

WILL MARTIN IN CONCERT SHOWS

For full show info see www.willmartin.co.nz

2010 November 18 Taste Auckland December 1,2, 3 Will Martin in Concert, Matahui Lodge, Katikati December 4 “A Night of Good Will “ fundraiser for Look Good, Feel Better St Matthews in the City, Auckland 2011 February 6 Will Martin in Concert, Fielding February 15 Will Martin in Concert, Napier (Art Deco Festival) February 26 Will Martin in Concert, Hamilton (Hamilton Gardens Festival) March 6 Will Martin in Concert, Dargaville

About the Breast Health Foundation The Breast Health Foundation is a Charitable Society established in New Zealand in 2010 with the objective of educating and empowering women and men by starting a new conversation about breast health. A conversation that conveys simple messages about lifestyle choices and the environment - sharing information that has been largely overlooked de-emphasised or dismissed. The Breast Health Foundation is about people helping people; women and men from all walks of life who have come together to contribute to an ever expanding resource that we can use to help ourselves, our family members and our friends. For more information see www.breasthealthfoundation.org.

ENDS

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