Album Review: Jason Donovan - Soundtrack Of The 80's (2010)

This is the 5th Studio Album from the late 80's-90's Aussies lad
Jason Donovan. I grew up on much of his stuff in the 80's which was
more-or-less my first foray into 'Pop', at a time I was knee-deep in
Rock and Metal. So I was really looking forward to this album as 80's
was the year I became a collector of Music. I always appreciate his
performance of the Andrew Lloyd Weber track "Any Dream Will Do"
from... Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.Boringly titled
'Soundtracks Of the 80's', this album was a total disappointed.I don't
mean to start the review of this Album on a negative, but honestly
with the high expectations, already simmering enroute to picking up
the album; it was such a let down. Although the pick of songs were
amazing and many of them among my favourites, but ironically it was
probably just that which put me off. In Simon Cowells words (and with
no respect to you and your talent Mr. Donovan) it was very
karaoke.There was no change in the arrangement or feel to any of the
tracks. It was just that now Jason Donovan was singing them. Although
he did carry off some of them well, but in many others it was not only
no comparison to the original, it was a pretty downsized version.The
Track listing included great 80's tracks. It took me deep down memory
lane. I think, whilst I loved the choice of songs - these were not
just great songs, they were anthems. That means - you just can't do
another one of em'. They're meant to stay original and by the
original.In 'Soundtracks Of The 80's' Jason attempts classics such as
Mr. Misters 'Broken Wings', Tears For Fears, 'Everybody Wants to Rule
The World', Richard Marx' "Right Here Waiting' or Mike & The Mechanics
epic track 'Living Years'. Then there's The Cars classic, 'Drive' as
also Howard Jones 'What Is Love'. These songs not only quite defined
the 80's but to a large extent even defined the artists. I was
pleasantly impressed with his selection of the lesser known track
'Mary's Prayer' by Danny Wilson. I for one love that song. The album
also includes covers of Cutting Crew, Terence Trent D'Arby, Yazoo,
Climie Fisher and Mike Oldfield.He also did pull in 2 New tracks 'Talk
You Down' and 'Goodnight Baby', both which were just OK.Altogether it
just didn't work. His previous album was also a cover album called
'Let It Be' with covers of classics from the 50's & 60's. Same problem
there. Too karaoke! Whilst he is walking down the same road as artists
like Rod Stewart and Phil Collins (recently), I do believe he is quite
talented enough to carry off some new stuff. I'm hoping the next isn't
a Cover album of the 90's????Nevertheless, aint giving up on him
yet.My Star Rating: Got to break it up here.....
***** (Five) Stars
for Song Selection with Variety
*** (Three) Stars for Delivery (He did
manage to pull off quite a few of them).
* (One) for originality
**
(Two) Overall