Review: Alexander Armstrong's A YEAR OF SONGS Album

Regularly seen on our TV screens as the presenter of BBC's Pointless, Alexander Armstrong has surprised many people recently by revealing his aptitude for singing. Having been a choir boy at Durham Cathedral and a choral scholar at Trinity College, Cambridge when he was younger, Armstrong wanted to pursue this as a career until he met Ben Miller and hence went down the comedy route to great success. East West Records have produced this album full of songs sentimental to the artist, including classic and musical favourites.

In the most part, the album is rather niche. There are a lot of traditional rural songs that admittedly are pleasant on the ear but not entirely warranting a second visit. Armstrong gives a very committed rendition of 'Summertime' which really emphasises his warm baritone voice. His version of 'Hushabye Mountain' is also very enjoyable, starting gentle and building throughout.

It sounds like this CD is a real labour of love and you can sense this. Although wanting to appeal to a mass market, it does seem like it should have been one genre or another because as it stands, there is a bit of an identity crisis. However, from a gentleman so well-loved, this is a good debut album.

Alexander Armstrong's A Year Of Songs is available now from all major retailers and he embarks on a UK tour in the New Year.