Alfie Boe's latest album, Trust, hit UK stores in November 2013 and quickly went gold. For US fans, their chance to own Trust comes towards the end of April when Capitol releases the album in America. The promo team are currently ensuring Alfie's usually hectic promotional schedule is as busy as ever with several interviews already in the bag. Alfie is also due to perform on a several TV shows (click here) as well as singing the National Anthem before the LA Dodgers game on 22 April.
So, what do I think of the album? Having listened to Trust a lot since the release date, I can honestly say that I think this is Alfie's best album to date. Long term fans will know that Alfie has been heading in this musical direction for a while now. The last three tracks of the previous album, Storyteller, are imbued with a blues, country and gospel sound that leads straight into Trust, particularly the glorious Glory, Glory Hallelujah and Rosie. My favourite songs are Keep Me In Your Heart and Glory Glory although there is a special place in my heart for Trust, the first song on any album to written especially for Alfie. Fans have long voiced the opinion that original material would be wonderful and it is definitely worth the wait.
There are a few songs on the album that are completely new to me but I love having my musical knowledge challenged and broadened by Alfie and have enjoying getting to know Forever Young and God Give Me Strength. Dimming of the Day is beautifully sung by Shawn Colvin, an artist I am enjoying getting to know but I have to confess a sneaking wish for the lovely tones of Emilia Mitiku, who sang with Alfie on his 2013 tour.
To give you a taste of the tracks, the video below was taken by Linda Wellington at the Huwawei Winter Concert at the Royal Festival Hall on 1 December 2013:
Since I first heard the first snippets from Alfie Boe's latest album "Trust" two tracks stood out for me: Rosie and Glory, Glory. I defy anyone to sit still and not dance to Glory, Glory, in particular. From talking to other fans, it was obvious that I was not alone in the opinion that those were the two tracks we wanted to hear live, above all others. Well, it seems that good things happen to those who wait (in this case, we didn't have to wait very long) as Alfie treated us to Rosie and Glory, Glory. Playing the entire second act, Alfie and his extremely talented band (Murray Gould, Matt White, Richard Causon et al) burst into Rosie first off before moving easily into the album title song. Rosie was everything we had hoped it would be, a fabulously foot tapping gospel infused number. On this evidence, Rosie will remain a favourite for the live shows for some time.
originally published on www.thoughtsofjustafan.wordpress.com