There’s two things that make my eyes light up when I check my inbox... A new release by SimG Productions, and a new release featuring works by a lyricist I’ve not heard about before. So I’m a very lucky person this month, as today I’ve been listening to SimG’s new release of Love, Lies & Lyrics: The Words of Lesley Ross.

Love, Lies & Lyrics is a ‘limited edition’ 25-track CD, that covers over a dozen original British musicals. This wonderfully eclectic recording features the music of Mark Aspinall, Matthew Brind, John-Victor, James Williams, and Gounod, and stars 30 West End vocalists including; Madalena Alberto (Evita), Annalene Beechey (Wicked), Daniel Boys (Avenue Q), Kieran Brown (Phantom), Sarah Earnshaw (Spamalot), Jodie Jacobs (Carrie), Garry Lake (We Will Rock You), Sarah Lark (Les Mis), Aaron Lee Lambert (Miss Saigon), Rebecca Lock (Mamma Mia!), Haydn Oakley (Women On The Verge), Laura Pitt-Pulford (Seven Brides), Sophia Ragavelas (Cats), Jon Robyns (Memphis), Alex Tomkins (Commitments), and many more.

Although I’ve not come across him before, Lesley Ross has written for the National Theatre, the Welsh National Opera, BBC Radio Drama, Theatre Royal Plymouth, HTV Wales and a host of other theatre companies around Britain and abroad. He is currently developing his musical Polly the Scottish Trolley Dolly as a screenplay, as well as three new musicals featured on this recording, and his children’s book written with composer John-Victor, Barry the Penguin’s Black and White Christmas, is released this Christmas by Perfect Pitch Musicals.

It’s hard to know where to start with this recording. The songs, 25... yes, count them!... are as an eclectic a mix as you will find. They are all extremely listenable and enjoyable, and in places the writing is pure brilliance. The opening number 'Pick A Ticket!' (or ‘The Box Office Number’ as it’s become know in our house), is simple yet brilliant. And the same with 'Him in 23B' (hereafter know as 'The Airplane Song') - although much credit here is due to the wonderful delivery by Suzanne Procter. Vocal talent across the album is top notch, and with names like Annalene Beechey (who sings the sublime 'Song for Someone') and the Sarahs, Earnshaw and Lark (who sing the addictive 'Somewhere'), nothing less should be expected.

And a nod must to be made to the composers and arrangers featured here - James Williams, Matthew Brind, Mark Aspinall, John-Victor and Charles Gounod. Their music complements the clever, thoughtful and cohesive lyrics perfectly.

This album delivers on all levels, and I cannot recommend it enough.

10

Ian Gude