A Wonderful World

by Susan Boyle

Overview

The seventh studio long-player from the Britain's Got Talent breakout star, Wonderful World finds Susan Boyle delivering another heartfelt and era-spanning set of pop covers, which, if the astronomical success of her 2009 debut and the five like-minded collections that followed are any indication, is exactly what her audience is expecting to hear. Book-ended by a pair of life-affirming standards in the Bob Thiele-and-George David Weiss-penned title track and the Disney teardrop barometer "When You Wish Upon a Star" -- both are effective metaphors for Boyle's rags to riches story -- Wonderful World mostly sticks to the formula. Boyle brings warmth and stoic, flushed-faced patriotism to Sir Paul McCartney's pipe-and-drums-adorned "Mull of Kintyre," her Scottish brogue, so often tempered by the fussy refinements of vocal pop, breaks free from its shackles a bit here. Less effective is a technically superb, but rather airless reading of An American Tale's "Somewhere Out There," with Boyle and Michael Bolton giving it their best Linda Ronstadt and James Ingram, but failing to ignite any fireworks. However, a fun, slow-burn, gospel-goth take on Madonna's "Like a Prayer" helps to break up the formula a bit, providing some nice contrast to the ten-track set's more pedestrian moments, and Boyle's country earnestness helps to elevate the inherent cheekiness of her virtual duet with Nat King Cole on "When I Fall in Love." Ultimately, what makes Wonderful World compelling is not the material or the arrangements, it's Boyle herself. What began as a reality TV lark has turned into an impressive -- and lucrative -- seven-year run, and with so many pop classics still out there to plunder, it would seem that Boyle has plenty of grist for the mill. ~ James Christopher Monger

Product Details

Release Date:	11/04/2016
Label:	Sony Music / Syco Music
UPC:	0888751390522

Tracks

1. What a Wonderful World
2. When I Fall in Love
3. Angels
4. Somewhere out There
5. I Have a Dream
6. Always on My Mind
7. May You Never Be Alone
8. Mull of Kintyre
9. Like a Prayer
10. When You Wish Upon a Star

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Susan Boyle   Primary Artist
Nat King Cole   Primary Artist
Christopher Tombling   Violin
Tom Pigott-Smith   Violin
Dishan Abrahams   Bass
Oliver Langford   Violin
Marianne Haynes   Violin
Steve Anderson   Piano,Strings,Conductor,Keyboards
Luke Fitton   Guitar
Matt Ward   Violin
Steve Morris   Violin
Tom Kemp   Violin
Dave Daniels   Cello
Frankie Kefford   Viola
Patrick Kiernan   Violin
Cliff Masterson   Piano,Strings,Conductor
Michael Bolton   Featured Artist
Bruce White   Viola
Nick Barr   Viola
Richard George   Violin
Chris Worsey   Cello
Kate Musker   Viola
Lizzie Ball   Violin
Ian Burdge   Cello
Richard Pryce   Bass
Emlyn Singleton   Violin
Ian Rathbone   Viola
David O'Leary   Violin
Paul Willey   Violin
Vicky Matthews   Cello
Stacey Watton   Bass

Technical Credits

Greg Beardsell   Choir Contractor
Patrick Mascall   Composer
Steve Anderson   Arranger,Producer,Pro-Tools,Programming
Rob Johnston   Vocal Contractor
Cameron Gower-Poole   Engineer
Mat Bartam   Engineer
Carmel Thomas   Choir Contractor
Patrick Leonard   Composer
Paul McCartney   Composer
Bob Thiele   Composer
Benny Andersson   Composer
Cynthia Weil   Composer
James Horner   Composer
Cliff Masterson   Arranger,Producer,Pro-Tools
Wayne Carson   Composer
Johnny Christopher   Composer
Robbie Williams   Composer
Louis Armstrong   Assistant
Madonna   Composer
Leigh Harline   Composer
Bjoern Ulvaeus   Composer
Mark James   Composer
Ned Washington   Composer
Avril Macintosh   Engineer,Pro-Tools
Isobel Griffiths   String Contractor
George David Weiss   Composer
Guy Chambers   Composer
Barry Mann   Composer
Edward Heyman   Composer
Nell Bryden   Composer
Denny Laine   Composer
Ash Howes   Mixing
Victor Young   Composer
Dick Beetham   Mastering
Jorge Velasco   Vocal Engineer