Bring It On (Alistair Griffin album)
Encyclopedia
Bring It On is the debut album by British singer/songwriter Alistair Griffin
. Released in January 2004 on the UMTV
label, it reached # 12 in the UK album charts.
The album consists mainly of original songs written or co-written by Griffin, together with the three most popular covers he had sung live on Fame Academy 2
. Also included is the duet of "My Lover's Prayer", featuring Robin Gibb
. "A Heart can't Lie" was co-written with Louise Griffiths
, a fellow Fame Academy contestant.
, runner-up in the Dutch series of Pop Idol, and "Hungry For Love" became a hit single
for rock band Di-rect
in the Netherlands in 2005.
"In Your Smile" and "Feeling Alive", featuring Griffin as guest vocalist, appear on Ultra's
second studio album, "The Sun Shines Brighter
", released October 2006.
to be released from the album was the double A-side "Bring It On/My Lover's Prayer
" (December 2003) which charted at # 5 in the UK. The second single, "You and Me (Tonight)
" was released in March 2004 and charted at # 18. Acoustic versions of "Bring it On" and "In Your Smile", together with a Dance
remix of the title track were also included as B sides.
Shortly afterwards Griffin parted company with UMTV and no further single releases were made.
Hidden Track: Non Existent
Alistair Griffin
Alistair Richard Griffin is an English singer/songwriter and musician. Already an established songwriter, he first became famous as a solo artist through his appearances on the BBC television show Fame Academy 2 in 2003, where he was "spotted" and championed by Robin Gibb of the Bee Gees...
. Released in January 2004 on the UMTV
UMTV
Universal Music TV is a London-based record label that was formed in 1998.Owned by Universal Music Group, UMTV specialises in producing compilation albums and occasional single releases...
label, it reached # 12 in the UK album charts.
The album consists mainly of original songs written or co-written by Griffin, together with the three most popular covers he had sung live on Fame Academy 2
Fame Academy 2
This article is about the second series of the BBC's Fame Academy TV programme, first broadcast in the UK over thirteen weeks in July - October 2003. It was won by Alex Parks.- Changes to format :...
. Also included is the duet of "My Lover's Prayer", featuring Robin Gibb
Robin Gibb
Robin Hugh Gibb, CBE is a British singer and songwriter. He is best known as a member of the Bee Gees, co-founded with his twin brother Maurice , and elder brother Barry....
. "A Heart can't Lie" was co-written with Louise Griffiths
Louise Griffiths
Louise Griffiths is an English pop singer-songwriter, fashion model and actress.-Early life:Griffiths is the daughter of a London taxicab driver...
, a fellow Fame Academy contestant.
Reviews
Bring It On received mixed reviews, with some critics dismissing it as a product of manufactured reality pop, even though most of the songs had actually been written before Griffin entered the show. Despite being criticised for its bland production, Bring It On was variously described as "ludicrously catchy", "polished pop" and "so cheesy that it is actually cool somehow". Most praised the quality of the songwriting, with one reviewer commenting "...he has come up with a debut that is better than those of his contemporaries. There's no pouting, no worthiness, just gentle pop songs about the flush of first love and the warmth of summer romance.." http://arts.guardian.co.uk/fridayreview/story/0,12102,1118501,00.htmlCovers
Two of Griffin's own compositions have also been covered by Dutch artists; "You and Me" appears on the #1 album Impressed previously released in 2003 by Jim BakkumJim Bakkum
Jimmy "Jim" Johannes Bakkum is a Dutch singer, actor, stage actor and television personality. Rising to nationwide fame after becoming runner-up in the first season of Dutch singing competition series Idols, he has released five albums and made a career in musicals and film...
, runner-up in the Dutch series of Pop Idol, and "Hungry For Love" became a hit single
Hit single
A hit single is a recorded song or instrumental released as a single that has become very popular. Although it is sometimes used to describe any widely-played or big-selling song, the term "hit" is usually reserved for a single that has appeared in an official music chart through repeated radio...
for rock band Di-rect
Di-rect
Di-rect is a rock band from The Hague, The Netherlands, which was formed in 1999. The current line-up consists of Jamie Westland , Frans "Spike" van Zoest , Bas van Wageningen , Vince van Reeken and Marcel Veenendaal .-1999-2000: Formation:Di-rect began in October 1999 when 15 year old Jamie...
in the Netherlands in 2005.
"In Your Smile" and "Feeling Alive", featuring Griffin as guest vocalist, appear on Ultra's
Ultra (boy band)
Ultra is an English male pop band, which was most successful in the late 1990s. The original line-up consisted of James Hearn , Michael Harwood , Jon O'Mahony and Nick Keynes .-Musical history:Although sometimes mistakenly described as a...
second studio album, "The Sun Shines Brighter
The Sun Shines Brighter
The Sun Shines Brighter is the second studio album from English band Ultra, released in October 2006, seven years after their debut album Ultra...
", released October 2006.
Singles
The first singleSingle (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
to be released from the album was the double A-side "Bring It On/My Lover's Prayer
Bring It On/My Lover's Prayer
"Bring It On" is the self-penned debut single from British singer/songwriter Alistair Griffin, and is also the title track and first release from his debut album, Bring It On...
" (December 2003) which charted at # 5 in the UK. The second single, "You and Me (Tonight)
You and Me (Tonight)
You and Me is the second single release from English singer Alistair Griffin from his debut album Bring It On ."You and Me" was a romantic ballad, originally written several years earlier by Griffin and Ultra bandmate Jon O'Mahony. Griffin had never intended to record the song himself, and it was...
" was released in March 2004 and charted at # 18. Acoustic versions of "Bring it On" and "In Your Smile", together with a Dance
Electronic dance music
Electronic dance music is electronic music produced primarily for the purposes of use within a nightclub setting, or in an environment that is centered upon dance-based entertainment...
remix of the title track were also included as B sides.
Shortly afterwards Griffin parted company with UMTV and no further single releases were made.
Track listing
- "Bring It OnBring It On/My Lover's Prayer"Bring It On" is the self-penned debut single from British singer/songwriter Alistair Griffin, and is also the title track and first release from his debut album, Bring It On...
" - 3:04 (Alistair Griffin) - "Painkiller" - 3:39 (Griffin, Tom Nichols, Greg Fitzgerald)
- "Oblivion" - 3:21 (Griffin, Stuart Hanna)
- "You and Me (Tonight)You and Me (Tonight)You and Me is the second single release from English singer Alistair Griffin from his debut album Bring It On ."You and Me" was a romantic ballad, originally written several years earlier by Griffin and Ultra bandmate Jon O'Mahony. Griffin had never intended to record the song himself, and it was...
" - 4:16 (Griffin, Nichols, Fitzgerald, Jon O'Mahony) - "Hungry for Love" - 3:40 (Griffin, Nichols, Fitzgerald)
- "Real World" - 4:38 (Griffin, O'Mahony, Michael Harwood, Nick Keynes, Ryan MolloyRyan MolloyRyan Molloy is a British singer, songwriter and actor, who replaced Holly Johnson as the lead singer in Frankie Goes to Hollywood . He has also been successful in musical theatre, appearing in a number of hit musicals in the UK....
) - "Feeling Alive" - 3:54 (Griffin, O'Mahony)
- "Something About Her" - 3:35 (Griffin, Hanna)
- "My Lover's PrayerBring It On/My Lover's Prayer"Bring It On" is the self-penned debut single from British singer/songwriter Alistair Griffin, and is also the title track and first release from his debut album, Bring It On...
" - 3:59 (Feat. Robin Gibb) (Barry GibbBarry GibbBarry Alan Crompton Gibb, CBE , is a singer, songwriter and producer. He was born in the Isle of Man to English parents. With his brothers Robin and Maurice, he formed The Bee Gees, one of the most successful pop groups of all time. The trio got their start in Australia, and found their major...
, Maurice GibbMaurice GibbMaurice Ernest Gibb, CBE was a musician, singer-songwriter and record producer. He was born on the Isle of Man, the twin brother of Robin Gibb, and younger brother to Barry. He is best known as a member of the singing/songwriting trio the Bee Gees, formed with his brothers...
, Robin GibbRobin GibbRobin Hugh Gibb, CBE is a British singer and songwriter. He is best known as a member of the Bee Gees, co-founded with his twin brother Maurice , and elder brother Barry....
) - "Jealous GuyJealous Guy"Jealous Guy" is a song written and performed by John Lennon which first appeared on his 1971 album Imagine. It is one of the most commonly covered Lennon songs, with at least ninety-two recorded cover versions, the most notable being Roxy Music's version, which reached number one in several...
" - 3:27 (John LennonJohn LennonJohn Winston Lennon, MBE was an English musician and singer-songwriter who rose to worldwide fame as one of the founding members of The Beatles, one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music...
) - "In Your Smile" - 3:52 (Griffin)
- "Everything I OwnEverything I Own"Everything I Own" is a song written by David Gates. Originally recorded by Gates's band Bread for their 1972 album Baby, I'm a Want You, the single was recorded by The Connells, Jack Jones, Ken Boothe, Olivia Newton-John, Georgie Fame, Boy George, *NSYNC, Jude, Rod Stewart, Crystal Gayle, Nicole...
" - 3:03 (David GatesDavid GatesDavid Gates is an American singer-songwriter, best known as the lead singer of the group Bread, which reached the tops of the musical charts in Europe and North America on several occasions in the 1970s. The band was inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame...
) - "Wherever You Will GoWherever You Will Go"Wherever You Will Go" is a song by The Calling released on the first single of their debut album Camino Palmero. It remains their most renowned and their most successful hit, peaking at #5 on the Billboard Hot 100 and topping the Adult Top 40 for 23 weeks, setting a record for that chart behind...
" - 3:26 (Aaron KaminAaron KaminAaron Kamin is an American guitarist and songwriter. He is a founding member of the band, The Calling.-Biography:...
, Alex BandAlex BandAlex Band is an American musician and singer-songwriter, best known for his work in his former band The Calling and their signature song "Wherever You Will Go", which peaked at #3 on the Top 40 in 2001.Along with bandmate and fellow songwriter Aaron Kamin as part of The Calling, the pair achieved...
) - "A Heart Can't Lie" - 3:12 (Griffin, Louise Griffiths, Danny Schogger)
Hidden Track: Non Existent
Personnel
- Alistair GriffinAlistair GriffinAlistair Richard Griffin is an English singer/songwriter and musician. Already an established songwriter, he first became famous as a solo artist through his appearances on the BBC television show Fame Academy 2 in 2003, where he was "spotted" and championed by Robin Gibb of the Bee Gees...
- vocals - Robin GibbRobin GibbRobin Hugh Gibb, CBE is a British singer and songwriter. He is best known as a member of the Bee Gees, co-founded with his twin brother Maurice , and elder brother Barry....
- vocals - Lance BassLance BassJames Lance Bass , best known as Lance Bass, is an American pop singer, dancer, actor, film and television producer, and author. He grew up in Mississippi and rose to fame as the bass singer for the American pop boy band 'N Sync. 'N Sync's success led Bass to work in film and television...
- vocals - Peter BramePeter BramePeter Charles Brame is an English singer-songwriter, pop singer and guitarist, based in Colchester, Essex. He became well known through his appearances on television as a contestant on the second series of BBC talent show Fame Academy.Brame taught himself to play the guitar when he was 17, and...
- vocals - Carolynne GoodCarolynne GoodCarolynne Poole is an English singer-songwriter and a founding member of the Carolynne Good Band, based in Leeds and London, and best known for finishing in third place in the second series of Fame Academy...
- vocals - Alex ParksAlex ParksAlex Parks is an English singer-songwriter. She is best known for winning Fame Academy in 2003, for her singles, and for the albums, Introduction and Honesty.-Biography:...
- vocals - Deconzo Smith - keyboards, guitar, bass
- Olly Meacock - programming
- Dave FordDave FordDavid Alan Ford is a former Major League Baseball pitcher for the Baltimore Orioles. Born in Cleveland, Ohio, Ford attended Lincoln-West High School, and after graduating in 1975, was selected with the 23rd pick by the Orioles in the 1975 Major League Baseball Draft.Ford started his career in the...
- engineer