We couldn’t resist the headline, even though it’s not strictly water-tight in terms of truth. UK classical-crossover act, Blake, have survived accusations of novelty and one-album wonder by reaching their tenth anniversary, an achievement to be celebrated with both a national tour and a brand-new album. Musically, the have brought the Military Wives Choir on board for two tracks, as well as the Central Band of the RAF and Royal Air Force Salon Orchestra, the link being that 10% of the album’s profits will go to the RAF Charitable Trust, it being the Centenary Year of the institution. Intriguingly, alongside classical pieces on their forthcoming album, there are also the themes to Out of Africa and Cinema Paradiso, with the addition of lyrics. Something to get the soundtrack purists up off their seats?
‘The Anniversary Album’ Track Listing
• Nimrod • Caruso • Impossible Dream • Here, There and Everywhere • Hymne A L’Amour • All of Me • Somewhere • Cinema Paradiso • Out of Africa • Pearl Fishers • Dambusters • Because • O Waly Waly (“The Water is Wide”)
2018 UK Anniversary Tour
07 April Maddermarket Theatre, Norwich
12 April Octagon Theatre, Yeovil
13 April Palace Theatre, Redditch
15 April Princes Theatre, Clacton
21 April Plowright Theatre, Scunthorpe
22 April Corn Exchange, Kings Lynn
25 April Beau Sejour, Guernsey
26 April Beau Sejour, Guernsey
03 May Capitol Theatre, Horsham
11 May The Grand, Clitheroe
20 May Pavilion, Whitby
24 May Playhouse, Epsom
03 August Concorde Club, Eastleigh 11 August Town Hall, Cheltenham
17 August The Pheasantry, Chelsea, London 18 August
24 August New Theatre Royal, Lincoln
28 August The Stables, Milton Keynes
1 September Garrick Lichfield
4 September The Brindley, Runcorn
7 September The Pavilion, Weymouth
8 September Clair Hall, Haywards Heath
14 September The Pavilion, Exmouth
15 September Regal Theatre, Redruth
19 September The Grand, Lancaster
29 September Memorial Theatre, Frome