So So Gay
Spice Girl nostalgia seems to be at an all time high right now following the girls’ incredible, albeit brief, Olympics performance. Whilst we await the West End musical and (hopefully) a reunion tour, Sporty Spice aka Melanie C, has decided to release Stages. The album is a classy collection of tracks which see Melanie take on some classic Musical Theatre showstoppers and other well known hits.
‘I Know Him So Well’ features fellow Spice Girl, Emma Bunton, and is something all Spice fans should obsess over – it sounds so good to hear the girls voices together again. ‘Maybe This Time’, which is lifted from Cabaret, is all the proof anyone would need to hear that Melanie can hold her own in musical theatre. It’s surprising how well her voice suits this style of music – the jazzy throwback is an obvious highlight.
After a successful judging stint on Andrew Lloyd Webber’s hunt for a new Jesus Christ in ‘Superstar’, Melanie will be staring as Mary Magdelene in the arena tour of Jesus Christ Superstar. As such, it’s fitting that she has included a cover of ‘I Don’t Know How To Love Him’ on Stages. Mel’s soaring vocals make this a standout track, but it may not be an instant favourite for those who aren’t big fans of musical theatre.
Melanie sounds most comfortable on ‘Tell Me It’s Not True’ from Blood Brothers, which was her first west-end gig back in 2009. The track is as dramatic as it is beautiful.
Other tracks included are ‘Ain’t Got No/I Got life’ and ‘Another Hundred People’, which are upbeat jaunts that could put a smile on any face. Another classic that Melanie successfully tackles is ‘I Just Don’t Know What To Do With Myself’. If her intention was to celebrate musical theatre and introduce some songs to younger audiences, then Melanie has certainly succeeded. She’s put the rock diva to one side for now and unleashed a magnificent theatrical goddess.
Bravo Melanie… now call up a certain four other girls and make another album.
Go Get It: I Know Him So Well / Maybe This Time
Forger it: Both Sides Now
Stages can be downloaded from Amazon and iTunes now.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BOKMbNJtuqU
