Michael Ball - We Are More Than One

You do not expect a Michael Ball album to be a challenging listen. This new album is no exception. It might sound dismissive to describe the album as easy listening, but that is what it is, like old slippers, familiar and comfortable. At the end of a stressful day if you want to unwind and forget the worries of the day you could do a lot worse than listen to this new album.

Of course Ball has a tremendous voice, but he really never challenges it here, much like the listener, though that wasn’t the idea behind the album, which was written and recorded at home during the lockdown. Inspired by Captain Tom with his determination and positivity Ball decided to record the album himself, albeit in unusual conditions.

There are quite a few cover versions here but I think the original songs he has written and recorded are just as good.

Teaming up with Amy Wadge on We’ve Got Tonight, the Bob Seger song that has been covered by Kenny Rogers and Sheena Easton amongst others, it is one of the better covers here.

The Bee Gees song Heartbreaker that Dionne Warwick made famous suffers here from a lack of the Bee Gees harmonies that made the song so distinctive in the first place.

Promise Me, the Beverley Craven hit from 1990 does not differ much from the original and is all the better for it.

Be The One is an uplifting song to open up the album, “you’ll always be the one I hold on to” he sings on a track that would also suit Cliff Richard. Ball could have let his voice rip on the song but he seems to hold back, though I’m sure when performed live it will come across more powerfully.

The country tinged God Willing suggests that “things are going to turn around again” Captain Tom being a strong influence on the theme of the track.

Complicated Man ups the tempo, a track that would suit Jane McDonald though the title would have to be altered! It's a sixties throwback that suits him well.

Home With You takes its inspiration from Studio 54, the famous New York disco. The song comes with a funky guitar groove and strings that with the right mix could be turned into an even better dance track. He might sing that he would prefer staying at home with his partner but his feet belong on the dance floor.

Let’s Just Dance continues with the dance theme, though this time around the track is more The Mavericks than Motown.

As the album closes with The Song We Will Remember it is hard not to catch the infectious positivity that comes across on the majority of songs here. His fans will adore the album, others though might need to give him the benefit of the doubt.

I rate the album 3 out of 5.