Wonderland (Faryl Smith album)
Encyclopedia
Wonderland is the second studio album by teenage mezzo-soprano
Faryl Smith
, released by Decca Records
on 30 November 2009. Smith became famous after her participation in Britain's Got Talent
in 2008, and subsequently, aged 13, signed with Universal Classics and Jazz
, releasing her debut album, Faryl
. Released only a few months afterwards, Wonderland contains a mix of classical and non-classical songs, which were chosen by both Smith and her record label. A concept album
, it is based on Alice in Wonderland, and features a digitally produced "duet" with the late Luciano Pavarotti
, as well as a song set to "Winter", from Vivaldi's Four Seasons. Wonderland, like Faryl, was produced by Jon Cohen.
Smith promoted the album with appearances on television and radio. For the most part, critics responded positively to the album, with praise for Smith's vocals, the song choice and the musical arrangement, but criticism for "the lack of emotional weight". Further, critics observed that Smith's voice had improved since her appearance on Britain's Got Talent. Despite this, Wonderland appeared in the UK Albums Chart
for only one week, peaking at 54.
in December 2008, six months after finishing outside the top three in the Britain's Got Talent
series two
final. Her debut album, Faryl
, was released in March 2009. Smith later described the album as "an introduction to me and an introduction for me to recording". It was in July that it was announced that work had begun on her second album, with hopes to release it later in 2009. Smith said in an interview that "We're starting to look at what songs will be on the second album ... I'm not really choosing the songs myself, I'm leaving that up to the people at the record label. I'm really happy that they want me to do another album so soon – I didn't think I would be working on one so quickly after the first one was released ... I'm just excited to get under way with it."
, London, and completed in early October. Smith recorded her parts during her school holidays. Smith was initially asked for a track listing, but said that she "didn't know what songs would be wrong or right for an album". Instead, she and the record label both created their own lists, and the final track list was compiled from the two. The result included a variety of songs; Smith said she was pleased with the mix, citing "classical numbers" like "The Prayer", in contrast to "a more unexpected song", "Close to You
". The track "O Holy Night
" features a "duet" with Luciano Pavarotti
, who died in 2007; this was produced by Pavarotti's vocals being digitally added to Smith's recording, giving the effect of sounding "as if they're really there together". The title track, "Wonderland", is set to "Winter", from Vivaldi's Four Seasons
, and the lead track, "Merry Christmas Mr Lawrence (Somewhere Far Away)" is an adaptation of a piece by Ryuichi Sakamoto
, originally from Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence
. Smith's favourite tracks on the album are "O Holy Night" and "The Prayer".
The album was produced by Jon Cohen, who also produced Faryl and has previously worked with artists including the Opera Babes
and Vanessa-Mae
. Cohen said that Smith has "matured as an artist since the first album" and that he had "no doubt that once again, people will be astonished and moved by her performances". Smith's father, Tony, said that the bosses at universal were "hoping it will sell more than the first but it's a tough market. Lots of people bring out albums at Christmas". Brian Roberts, writing for the Daily Mirror, claimed that Wonderland "is tipped to go head to head" for the number one classical album position with releases from Il Divo
and Rhydian Roberts
.
The album is a concept album
loosely based on Lewis Carroll
's Alice in Wonderland. The album took the title from the book, and was created with the intention of taking listeners on a journey, as well as showcasing Smith's voice. She said that "that's something I like to hear in music. Whether I listen to Beyonce or Vivaldi, music is supposed to transport you away, escape from the everyday." Smith said that she sometimes felt like Alice
chasing White Rabbit
, and, for this reason, "Wonderland" was a suitable title track for the album.
, Blue Peter
, the BBC News Channel, Sky News Sunrise and The Alan Titchmarsh Show
. Speaking about the album's promotion, Smith said "[i]t is always a struggle when a second album comes out because you never know how it is going to do but fingers crossed people will enjoy it. I am very proud of it. ... I am excited about going on all the shows too – especially Ready Steady Cook because I can't cook and I think it will be fun."
, described the album as "a joy"; he compared it to other Christmas albums, saying that "[t]oo many are tired, much-repeated carol selections." He described Smith's "control, tone and warmth" as "very moving". A reviewer writing for The Sun
described the album as a "lush collection" of songs, and said that Smith's "voice is now stronger, richer and even more musical". Andy Gill, reviewing Wonderland for The Independent
, gave a more mixed review. He said that the influence of Alice in Wonderland was often hard to perceive, and said that Cohen and Smith had "sweetened the classical elements". He praised the arrangements of "Adiemus", "Barcarolle", "Merry Christmas, Mr Lawrence" and "Blow the Wind Southerly", but noted that "on "Close to You" and other tracks, the lack of emotional weight is telling." Overall, Gill gave Wonderland 3 out of 5.
Local paper the Northamptonshire Evening Telegraph
reported that Wonderland was selling well; on Amazon.co.uk's charts, it appeared at number one on the symphonies chart, 13 on easy listening and 95 overall. A spokesman for the local HMV store was quoted as saying "Sales of the new Faryl album have got off to a storming start – she is proving hugely popular at HMV. ... We're actually selling as many copies of Faryl's new album as we are Susan Boyle right now." However, the album entered the top 75 of the UK Albums Chart
for only one week, peaking at 54. It appeared on the Arts & Book Review (Independent Print
) classical albums chart for two weeks, peaking at number 6.
Mezzo-soprano
A mezzo-soprano is a type of classical female singing voice whose range lies between the soprano and the contralto singing voices, usually extending from the A below middle C to the A two octaves above...
Faryl Smith
Faryl Smith
Faryl Smith is a British teen mezzo-soprano who rose to fame after auditioning for the second series of the ITV television talent show Britain's Got Talent in 2008. She received praise throughout the competition, and although she was the favourite to win after the second round, she finished...
, released by Decca Records
Decca Records
Decca Records began as a British record label established in 1929 by Edward Lewis. Its U.S. label was established in late 1934; however, owing to World War II, the link with the British company was broken for several decades....
on 30 November 2009. Smith became famous after her participation in Britain's Got Talent
Britain's Got Talent
Britain's Got Talent is a British television talent show competition which started in June 2007 and originated from the Got Talent series. The show is produced by FremantleMedia's TalkbackThames and Simon Cowell's production company SYCOtv. The show is broadcast on ITV in Britain and TV3 in Ireland...
in 2008, and subsequently, aged 13, signed with Universal Classics and Jazz
Universal Classics and Jazz
Universal Classics and Jazz is the name of two record label divisions of the Universal Music Group.- UCJ Germany :Universal Music Classics & Jazz is a division of Universal Music Germany and is marketed under websites called Klassik Akzente and Jazz Echo.- UCJ Japan :This Universal Music Japan...
, releasing her debut album, Faryl
Faryl
Faryl is the debut album by British mezzo-soprano Faryl Smith, released on 9 March 2009 by Universal Classics and Jazz. Smith rose to fame after her appearance on the second series of Britain's Got Talent, and signed with Universal after the competition...
. Released only a few months afterwards, Wonderland contains a mix of classical and non-classical songs, which were chosen by both Smith and her record label. A concept album
Concept album
In music, a concept album is an album that is "unified by a theme, which can be instrumental, compositional, narrative, or lyrical." Commonly, concept albums tend to incorporate preconceived musical or lyrical ideas rather than being improvised or composed in the studio, with all songs contributing...
, it is based on Alice in Wonderland, and features a digitally produced "duet" with the late Luciano Pavarotti
Luciano Pavarotti
right|thumb|Luciano Pavarotti performing at the opening of the Constantine Palace in [[Strelna]], 31 May 2003. The concert was part of the celebrations for the 300th anniversary of [[St...
, as well as a song set to "Winter", from Vivaldi's Four Seasons. Wonderland, like Faryl, was produced by Jon Cohen.
Smith promoted the album with appearances on television and radio. For the most part, critics responded positively to the album, with praise for Smith's vocals, the song choice and the musical arrangement, but criticism for "the lack of emotional weight". Further, critics observed that Smith's voice had improved since her appearance on Britain's Got Talent. Despite this, Wonderland appeared in the UK Albums Chart
UK Albums Chart
The UK Albums Chart is a list of albums ranked by physical and digital sales in the United Kingdom. It is compiled every week by The Official Charts Company and broadcast on a Sunday on BBC Radio 1 , and published in Music Week magazine and on the OCC website .To qualify for the UK albums chart...
for only one week, peaking at 54.
Background
Smith, aged 13 at the time, signed a record-breaking multi-album deal with Universal Classics and JazzUniversal Classics and Jazz
Universal Classics and Jazz is the name of two record label divisions of the Universal Music Group.- UCJ Germany :Universal Music Classics & Jazz is a division of Universal Music Germany and is marketed under websites called Klassik Akzente and Jazz Echo.- UCJ Japan :This Universal Music Japan...
in December 2008, six months after finishing outside the top three in the Britain's Got Talent
Britain's Got Talent
Britain's Got Talent is a British television talent show competition which started in June 2007 and originated from the Got Talent series. The show is produced by FremantleMedia's TalkbackThames and Simon Cowell's production company SYCOtv. The show is broadcast on ITV in Britain and TV3 in Ireland...
series two
Britain's Got Talent (Series 2)
The 2008 series of Britain's Got Talent was the second series of the show. Notable differences from the 2007 series the included the fact that the auditions visited Scotland and that there were 40 in the live semi-finals...
final. Her debut album, Faryl
Faryl
Faryl is the debut album by British mezzo-soprano Faryl Smith, released on 9 March 2009 by Universal Classics and Jazz. Smith rose to fame after her appearance on the second series of Britain's Got Talent, and signed with Universal after the competition...
, was released in March 2009. Smith later described the album as "an introduction to me and an introduction for me to recording". It was in July that it was announced that work had begun on her second album, with hopes to release it later in 2009. Smith said in an interview that "We're starting to look at what songs will be on the second album ... I'm not really choosing the songs myself, I'm leaving that up to the people at the record label. I'm really happy that they want me to do another album so soon – I didn't think I would be working on one so quickly after the first one was released ... I'm just excited to get under way with it."
Recording and release
In September, it was announced that the album was to be named Wonderland, and a preliminary release date of 30 November was put forward. The album was recorded at Sarm Studios in Notting HillNotting Hill
Notting Hill is an area in London, England, close to the north-western corner of Kensington Gardens, in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea...
, London, and completed in early October. Smith recorded her parts during her school holidays. Smith was initially asked for a track listing, but said that she "didn't know what songs would be wrong or right for an album". Instead, she and the record label both created their own lists, and the final track list was compiled from the two. The result included a variety of songs; Smith said she was pleased with the mix, citing "classical numbers" like "The Prayer", in contrast to "a more unexpected song", "Close to You
(They Long to Be) Close to You
" Close to You" is a popular song written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David. It was first recorded by Richard Chamberlain and released as a single in 1963 as "They Long to Be Close to You," without parentheses. However, it was the single's flip side, "Blue Guitar," that became a hit...
". The track "O Holy Night
O Holy Night
"O Holy Night" is a well-known Christmas carol composed by Adolphe Adam in 1847 to the French poem "Minuit, chrétiens" by Placide Cappeau , a wine merchant and poet, who had been asked by a parish priest to write a Christmas poem...
" features a "duet" with Luciano Pavarotti
Luciano Pavarotti
right|thumb|Luciano Pavarotti performing at the opening of the Constantine Palace in [[Strelna]], 31 May 2003. The concert was part of the celebrations for the 300th anniversary of [[St...
, who died in 2007; this was produced by Pavarotti's vocals being digitally added to Smith's recording, giving the effect of sounding "as if they're really there together". The title track, "Wonderland", is set to "Winter", from Vivaldi's Four Seasons
The Four Seasons (Vivaldi)
The Four Seasons is a set of four violin concertos by Antonio Vivaldi. Composed in 1723, The Four Seasons is Vivaldi's best-known work, and is among the most popular pieces of Baroque music. The texture of each concerto is varied, each resembling its respective season...
, and the lead track, "Merry Christmas Mr Lawrence (Somewhere Far Away)" is an adaptation of a piece by Ryuichi Sakamoto
Ryuichi Sakamoto
After working as a session musician with Haruomi Hosono and Yukihiro Takahashi in 1977, the trio formed the internationally successful electronic music band Yellow Magic Orchestra in 1978. Known for their seminal influence on electronic music, the group helped pioneer electronic genres such as...
, originally from Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence
Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence
Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence is a 1983 film directed by Nagisa Oshima, produced by Jeremy Thomas and starring Jack Thompson, David Bowie, Tom Conti, Ryuichi Sakamoto, Yuya Uchida, and Takeshi Kitano.It was written by Oshima and Paul Mayersberg and based on Laurens van der Post's experiences...
. Smith's favourite tracks on the album are "O Holy Night" and "The Prayer".
The album was produced by Jon Cohen, who also produced Faryl and has previously worked with artists including the Opera Babes
Opera Babes
The Opera Babes are a crossover classical music duo, consisting of Karen England , mezzo soprano, and Rebecca Knight , soprano....
and Vanessa-Mae
Vanessa-Mae
Vanessa-Mae Vanakorn Nicholson , known professionally as Vanessa-Mae , is an internationally known British violinist. Her music style is self-described as "violin techno-acoustic fusion", as several of her albums prominently feature the techno style...
. Cohen said that Smith has "matured as an artist since the first album" and that he had "no doubt that once again, people will be astonished and moved by her performances". Smith's father, Tony, said that the bosses at universal were "hoping it will sell more than the first but it's a tough market. Lots of people bring out albums at Christmas". Brian Roberts, writing for the Daily Mirror, claimed that Wonderland "is tipped to go head to head" for the number one classical album position with releases from Il Divo
Il Divo
Il Divo is a multinational operatic pop vocal group created by music manager, executive, and reality TV star Simon Cowell. Formed in the United Kingdom, they are also signed to Cowell's record label, Syco Music...
and Rhydian Roberts
Rhydian Roberts
Rhydian James Roberts , popularly known as Rhydian, is a classically trained Welsh baritone and crossover artist. He rose to fame on The X Factor in 2007...
.
The album is a concept album
Concept album
In music, a concept album is an album that is "unified by a theme, which can be instrumental, compositional, narrative, or lyrical." Commonly, concept albums tend to incorporate preconceived musical or lyrical ideas rather than being improvised or composed in the studio, with all songs contributing...
loosely based on Lewis Carroll
Lewis Carroll
Charles Lutwidge Dodgson , better known by the pseudonym Lewis Carroll , was an English author, mathematician, logician, Anglican deacon and photographer. His most famous writings are Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and its sequel Through the Looking-Glass, as well as the poems "The Hunting of the...
's Alice in Wonderland. The album took the title from the book, and was created with the intention of taking listeners on a journey, as well as showcasing Smith's voice. She said that "that's something I like to hear in music. Whether I listen to Beyonce or Vivaldi, music is supposed to transport you away, escape from the everyday." Smith said that she sometimes felt like Alice
Alice (Alice's Adventures in Wonderland)
Alice is a fictional character in the literary classic, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and its sequel, Through the Looking-Glass, And What Alice Found There. She is a young girl from Victorian-era Britain.-Development:...
chasing White Rabbit
White Rabbit
The White Rabbit works for the Red Queen, but is also a secret member of the Underland Underground Resistance, and was sent by the Hatter to search for Alice...
, and, for this reason, "Wonderland" was a suitable title track for the album.
Promotion
Smith embarked on a promotional tour, beginning at the end of October, with magazine, television and radio appearances. Appearances included Ready Steady CookReady Steady Cook
Ready Steady Cook was a BBC daytime TV cooking programme it first debuted on 24 October 1994 and the last edition was broadcast on the 2 February 2010. The programme was hosted by Fern Britton from 1994 until 2000 when celebrity chef Ainsley Harriott became the new host...
, Blue Peter
Blue Peter
Blue Peter is the world's longest-running children's television show, having first aired in 1958. It is shown on CBBC, both in its BBC One programming block and on the CBBC channel. During its history there have been many presenters, often consisting of two women and two men at a time...
, the BBC News Channel, Sky News Sunrise and The Alan Titchmarsh Show
The Alan Titchmarsh Show
The Alan Titchmarsh Show is a British daytime TV chat show broadcast between 3 and 4pm weekdays on the ITV Network.-Format:The programme made its debut on ITV in 2007. It focused on the theme of "The Best of British" focusing on food, entertainment and celebrities in a mid-afternoon slot...
. Speaking about the album's promotion, Smith said "[i]t is always a struggle when a second album comes out because you never know how it is going to do but fingers crossed people will enjoy it. I am very proud of it. ... I am excited about going on all the shows too – especially Ready Steady Cook because I can't cook and I think it will be fun."
Reception and performance
Reviewers also responded postively to the album. Paul Callan, reviewing the album for the Daily ExpressDaily Express
The Daily Express switched from broadsheet to tabloid in 1977 and was bought by the construction company Trafalgar House in the same year. Its publishing company, Beaverbrook Newspapers, was renamed Express Newspapers...
, described the album as "a joy"; he compared it to other Christmas albums, saying that "[t]oo many are tired, much-repeated carol selections." He described Smith's "control, tone and warmth" as "very moving". A reviewer writing for The Sun
The Sun (newspaper)
The Sun is a daily national tabloid newspaper published in the United Kingdom and owned by News Corporation. Sister editions are published in Glasgow and Dublin...
described the album as a "lush collection" of songs, and said that Smith's "voice is now stronger, richer and even more musical". Andy Gill, reviewing Wonderland for The Independent
The Independent
The Independent is a British national morning newspaper published in London by Independent Print Limited, owned by Alexander Lebedev since 2010. It is nicknamed the Indy, while the Sunday edition, The Independent on Sunday, is the Sindy. Launched in 1986, it is one of the youngest UK national daily...
, gave a more mixed review. He said that the influence of Alice in Wonderland was often hard to perceive, and said that Cohen and Smith had "sweetened the classical elements". He praised the arrangements of "Adiemus", "Barcarolle", "Merry Christmas, Mr Lawrence" and "Blow the Wind Southerly", but noted that "on "Close to You" and other tracks, the lack of emotional weight is telling." Overall, Gill gave Wonderland 3 out of 5.
Local paper the Northamptonshire Evening Telegraph
Northamptonshire Evening Telegraph
The Northamptonshire Evening Telegraph, or ET as it is nicknamed, is the local newspaper for the north of Northamptonshire. It is based at Newspaper House in Rothwell Road, Kettering, and has since 1996 been part of the Johnston Press newspaper group...
reported that Wonderland was selling well; on Amazon.co.uk's charts, it appeared at number one on the symphonies chart, 13 on easy listening and 95 overall. A spokesman for the local HMV store was quoted as saying "Sales of the new Faryl album have got off to a storming start – she is proving hugely popular at HMV. ... We're actually selling as many copies of Faryl's new album as we are Susan Boyle right now." However, the album entered the top 75 of the UK Albums Chart
UK Albums Chart
The UK Albums Chart is a list of albums ranked by physical and digital sales in the United Kingdom. It is compiled every week by The Official Charts Company and broadcast on a Sunday on BBC Radio 1 , and published in Music Week magazine and on the OCC website .To qualify for the UK albums chart...
for only one week, peaking at 54. It appeared on the Arts & Book Review (Independent Print
The Independent
The Independent is a British national morning newspaper published in London by Independent Print Limited, owned by Alexander Lebedev since 2010. It is nicknamed the Indy, while the Sunday edition, The Independent on Sunday, is the Sindy. Launched in 1986, it is one of the youngest UK national daily...
) classical albums chart for two weeks, peaking at number 6.
Music
- Dirk Campbell - QuenaQuenaThe quena is the traditional flute of the Andes. Usually made of bamboo or wood, it has 6 finger holes and one thumb hole and is open on both ends. To produce sound, the player closes the top end of the pipe with the flesh between his chin and lower lip, and blows a stream of air downward, along...
and uillean pipes - Jon Cohen - BassBass (instrument)Bass describes musical instruments that produce tones in the low-pitched range. They belong to different families of instruments and can cover a wide range of musical roles...
, guitar, keyboards and piano - Charlie Kenny - Drums
- Tom Lewis - FlugelhornFlugelhornThe flugelhorn is a brass instrument resembling a trumpet but with a wider, conical bore. Some consider it to be a member of the saxhorn family developed by Adolphe Sax ; however, other historians assert that it derives from the valve bugle designed by Michael Saurle , Munich 1832 , thus...
- Cliff Masterson - Keyboards and trumpet
- Helen Skelton - Vocals
- Mark Read - Vocals
Administration and production
- Ed Bainton - Assistance
- Stephen Baker - Choir arrangement
- Matt Bartram - Assistance
- Kara Bassett - Product management
- Sylvia Berryman - Vocal coaching
- Marco Canepa - Vocal coaching
- Paul Chessell - Design
- Jon Cohen - Arrangement, mixing, production and programming
- Phil Da Costa - Mixing and programming
- Phillip Doghan - Vocal coaching
- Sandrine Dulermo - Photography
- Olga Fitzroy - Assistance
- Andy Hughes - Assistance
- Michael Labica - Photography
- Darren Lawson - Assistance
- Tom Lewis - Artists and repertoire
- Steve Lowe - Engineering
- Cliff Masterson - Arrangement, choir arrangement, conducting, orchestration and programming
- Steve Price - Engineering
- Ronan Phelan - Assistance
- Maureen Scott - Vocal coaching
- David Temple - Conducting
- Al Unsworth - Engineering
Track listing
Charts
| Chart | Peak position |
|---|---|
| UK Albums Chart UK Albums Chart The UK Albums Chart is a list of albums ranked by physical and digital sales in the United Kingdom. It is compiled every week by The Official Charts Company and broadcast on a Sunday on BBC Radio 1 , and published in Music Week magazine and on the OCC website .To qualify for the UK albums chart... |
56 |