The Glare, Songs for Tony

This is an unusual collaberation between the minimalist composer Michael Nyman and the exquisite voice of Mc Almont,where the latter was encouraged to write songs and lyrics set to some of Nyman's own existing music-('The Glare' for example is about Susan Boyle of X Factor fame). You will not hear the news told like this anyere else! The songs are entertaining,sometimes poignant,always interesting and highly expressive thanks to McAlmont's vocal range. I was present at the World Premier of this work at the Union Chapel London, and my only regret now is that I didn't buy a signed copy in the interval before the actual performance because I heard Michael Nyman saying to someone "It's very brave of you to buy it before you've heard it!"

No album has ever touched me like this one. This album is like a huge crystal chandalier - breathtaking in its scale and beauty; but fragile, delicate, and all the more magnificent for it.McAlmont takes the news stories you see in two-inch columns in the newspaper every day, shake your head, and forget about, and he turns them into the kind of personal heartbreak that could apply to all of our lives.Michael Nyman is already celebrated, and rightly so, but David McAlmont is a real national treasure who deserves far more attention than he has ever received.

I absolutely love Michael Nyman's music and would recommend him to anyone, but this album takes a bit of getting used to. I have played it a few times and it is slowly growing on me but it seems strange to have someone singing to pieces of music I know so well and have a life of their own.

David McAlmont is superb on this album based on songs relating to newspaper head lines. Nyman is a good foil for David although other groups could do an equally good job (not a fan of Nyman) as David stole the show at a live performance of this set. .A must for fans od David McAlmont.

Glad I spotted this on Amazon's 'great underrated CDs of 2009' a while back. I'm familiar with both mens' work, although more so Michael Nyman. McAlmont perfectly compliments the sparse soundscapes and gives flesh to the wonderful tunes that are Nyman's trademark. The running time is not overly generous, but what there is of it is well worth the investment.

Really liked this CD. Am a fan of David McAlmont as he has a fantastic voice so thought I'd give this a go- glad I did.

A brilliant album of interpretations from Michael Nymans back catalogue, lifted even more by the gorgeous sound of David McAlmont, beautiful.

McAlmont & Nyman: The Glare A marriage made in heaven. Why hasn't someone thought of this before? Is it a pop record? Is it a classical record? Actually - it's both and it's also something quite quite new. It's more than just a cross-over...it's a new genre! It's so much more than a wonderful collaboration...it's a whole new soundscape. David McAlmont's soulful melodies and pure lyricism has found Michael Nyman's powerful, driving, sensual, highly emotive and unforgettable music.McAlmont's lyrics explores pertinent and topical news stories as varied as 21st century piracy (Going to America), trafficked prostitution in Europe (City of Turin), sexually-charged world leaders (In Rai Don Giovanni), assisted suicide (Friendly Fire), reality television (The Glare), African orphan migration (Fever Sticks and Bones), banking errors (Take the Money and Run) and drug mules (In Laos).McAlmont and Nyman have created something truly memorable and unique. The result is a startling, extraordinary and an intensely beautiful album.