Il Divo
“Siempre”
SYCO Music/2006
www.ildivo.com
In two short years the international classical pop quartet known as Il Divo has achieved more than many rock bands do in a lifetime. Il Divo which means divine male performer in Italian have released three album internationally and one Christmas album in the US; sold over 13 million albums; had 26 number ones internationally with 25 trop fives; received some 104 gold and platinum records; and sold out performances.
The four gentlemen who comprise Il Divo is a result of a two year search by the group’s creator Simon Cowell. American David Miller the last one to join the group is a tenor with a background in Opera Theatre. Frenchman Sebastien Izombard is an accomplished songwriter, pianist, guitar player, and self-taught pop singer. Spaniard Carlos Marin is a baritone and opera star in Madrid. And Switzerland’s Urs Buhler was a tenor with the opera in the Netherlands and sang with a hard rock band.
Il Divo’s latest offering “Siempre” picks up where “Ancora” lefft off. The 10 tracks of original and cover tunes have more of a latin feel to them. All but one of the songs – “Somewhere” from West Side Story which is sung in English – are performed in Spanish and Italian. Il Divo perform songs in English, French, Italian, Spanish, and Latin. Recognisable songs on the slbum are “Without You” by Nilson and from Don Juan de Marco the Brian Adams song “Have Yu Ever Really Loves A Woman?.
The biggest surprise of all is the opening track, a beautiful but almost unrecognizable rendition of the Moody Blues hit “Knights in White Satan” from the classic album “Days of Future Passed.
For Il Divo fans 10 songs is not enough from this incredible foursome. Il Divo have a way of taking even the most played or performed song and making it sound fresh and new.
“Siempre” is a masterful job from this international phenomena.
