In Dreams is the debut album by Joseph McManners and it was released on 5 December 2005 by Sony BMG following a £2 million 4-album record deal.sound generator - Joseph McManners - In Dreams review (accessed 28 August 2006). The album features covers of mostly solo renditions of classical songs but it also features a duet with Jo Appleby. Album page on official website (accessed 28 August 2006).
Background The album, produced by Nick Patrick, is a collection of songs McManners particularly likes or ones that have special meaning to him. For example, the songs "Bright Eyes" and "Walking in the Air" were included because of their sentimental value. They remind him of how he used to watch Watership Down and how he used to watch The Snowman each Christmas Day with his mother. "Where is Love" and "The Little Prince Song" are important because they were key elements to the start of his career.
About the name of the album McManners said:
The album was recorded in Prague in the Czech Republic and the music was provided by the Prague Philharmonic Orchestra.Joseph McManners biography at Sony BMG.co.uk (accessed 28 August 2006).
Critical recognition The album received a nomination for "Album of the Year" at the 2006 Classical Brit AwardsThe BPI Unveils Nominees for The Classical Brit Awards 2006 (published 11 April 2006; accessed 28 August 2006). and McManners' rendition of "Bright Eyes" from the album has debuted at "number one" in Asian airplay, ahead of James Blunt and Prince.Number 1 Airplay at Sony BMG.co.uk (accessed 28 August 2006).
Track listing #TitleOriginally fromSongwriter(s)Music byNotes 1 "Bright Eyes" Watership Down Mike Batt 2 "Pie Jesu" John Rutter John Rutter 3 "In Dreams" The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring Howard Shore 4 "Psalm 23" The Vicar of Dibley Howard Goodall 5 "Walking in the Air" The Snowman Howard Blake 6 "Panis angelicus" César Franck César Franck 7 "Circle of Life" The Lion King Elton John Duet with Jo Appleby 8 "Lullaby" Johannes Brahms Johannes Brahms 9 "Music of the Angels" Sonata Pathétique Beethoven/Saggese 10 "Candlelight Carol" John Rutter John Rutter 11 "Morning Has Broken" Cat Stevens 12 "Where is Love?" Oliver! Lionel Bart 13 "The Little Prince Song" The Little Prince Rachel Portman Information was retrieved from McManners' official website.Track listings at josephmcmanners.co.uk. (accessed 28 August 2006)
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