Classic is the second studio album by British singer Joe McElderry. It was released by Decca Records on 19 August 2011 in Ireland and on 22 August 2011 in the United Kingdom. Signed copies were available to pre-order on Universal Music's online store.Classic Universal Music Group online store. Retrieved on 17 August 2011.
Background and production After his contract with Syco expired, and winning a second TV show Popstar to Operastar, McElderry confirmed that he would be recording his second studio album, stating, "It's not going to be pop, it's going to be a lot of big, lush ballads. I wanted to do a few more ballads on my first album. It's going to appeal to all my fans. I'm going to sing a few Italian songs. I'm not going to change my voice – I don't want to scare people too much... I can't reveal which label it's with but it's an amazing label.Joe wants to party at Bents Park at Shields Gazette. Retrieved on 11 July 2011. The label was later revealed to be Decca Records.Joe McElderry is glad to be 'out of the X Factor machine' STV. Retrieved on 17 July 2011. In a blog, McElderry described the album by talking about the title saying "The album is called Classic, it's classic songs, it's a classic repertoire, it's songs that everybody will know. We're kind of bringing it in and matching it to my style of my voice, but also touching a bit on the classical side as well, so it's all round a classic album". Describing the process of recording the album with a new label, saying "We're doing it quite quickly this time round, it's good to just go with the flow and just get it done and let all the creative emotions flow out very fast. It's really nice to get the experience of working with a different label that has a different kind of view on things. I've just enjoyed kind of getting in there, throwing myself into the deep end and just totally going for it." Retrieved on 5 August 2010.
McElderry has stated that he recorded the album in six days.. Retrieved on 5 September 2011.
Promotion
During the first half of August, McElderry did a radio tour, visiting various radio stations around the country to promote the album. "Dance with My Father" and "Over the Rainbow" received their first play during this time. McElderry performed on QVC on 18 August. "She was Beautiful" was released as a free download through his official newsletter. A music video was filmed for "Time to Say Goodbye", the video was filmed in Hackney on 8 August 2011, during the 2011 England riots.Joe Mcelderry Filmed Video Amid London Riots Contactmusic.com. Retrieved on 18 August 2011. The music video was released on 22 August, the album's release date.Joe McElderry videos joemcelderryofficial.com. Retrieved on 22 August 2011. A stripped live performance was used as the music video for "Dance with My Father". The video premiered on Entertainment Focus on 13 September 2011.World Exclusive: Watch Joe McElderry's New Video Entertainment Focus. Retrieved on 13 September 2011. A third music video was made for "Solitaire". The video features behind the scenes footage and a performance shot from where the "Dance with My Father" video was filmed, this time though, the video is in black and white.
Critical reception
On 15 August 2011, Shields Gazette praised the album, saying "the balladeer is back and, with every listen, Classic gets better and better!."Joe’s new album – track by track Shields Gazette. Retrieved on 16 August 2011. Jamie Tabberer of Gay Times also praised the album, saying "A year on from his massively underrated debut Wide Awake and fresh from Popstar to Operastar victory Joe's poised to release his sophomore effort. It's an album that does exactly what it says on the tin; a sophisticated, meticulously chosen collection of classic, classy, emotive anthems."Joe. My. God. Gay Times. Retrieved on 16 August 2011. Heat magazine gave the album 4/5 stars, saying "Joe's debut Wide Awake may have been one of the most underrated pop albums ever, but after his storming victory on PTO, he has turned his talents to singing rousing opera tunes- and crikey, does that boy have a voice."
Chart performance Classic debuted at number two on the UK Albums Chart, selling 35,609 copies in its first week of release.Alan Jones, . From Music Week (30 August 2011). Retrieved on 30 August 2011. In its second week, the album sold a further 31,001 copies and fell to number 5.Alan Jones, Chili Peppers top album chart From Music Week (5 September 2011). Retrieved on 9 September 2011. It rose back to number three in its third week, with sales of 29,736 copies.Alan Jones, Example tops the album charts as Adele hits 3 million From Music Week (12 September 2011). Retrieved on 13 September 2011. In its fourth week, the album dropped to number 5 but surpassed 100,000 retail sales in the UK after selling an additional 22,835 copiesAlan Jones, From Music Week (19 September 2011). Retrieved on 20 September 2011. It reached number 4 in its fifth week on the chart,Official Charts Retrieved on 27 September 2011. before falling to number 9 in its sixth week and number 14 in its seventh week, exiting the top 10.Official Charts Retrieved on 15 October 2011.Official Charts Retrieved on 15 October 2011. Within 10 days of release, Classic was certified gold by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI).Tweet Twitter (@joemcelderry91 verified account). Retrieved on 1 September 2011. On 7 September 2011, during an appearance on the Alan Titchmarsh Show which was broadcast the following day, McElderry was presented with his official gold disc by his grandmother, Hilda Joyce.. Retrieved on 9 September 2011. By January 2016, the album had sold more than 250,000 copies in the UK.
In Ireland, Classic entered the Irish Albums Chart at number 48.Archived Irish Albums Chart for the week ending 25 August 2011 From Chart-Track. Retrieved on 2 September 2011. It climbed to number 38 in its second week and reached number 37 in its third week.Archived Irish Albums Chart for the week ending 1 September 2011 From Chart-Track. Retrieved on 2 September 2011.Archived Irish Albums Chart for the week ending 8 September 2011 From Chart-Track. Retrieved on 9 September 2011.Archived Irish Albums Chart for the week ending 15 September 2011 From Chart-Track. Retrieved on 16 September 2011.Archived Irish Albums Chart for the week ending 22 September 2011 From Chart-Track. Retrieved on 27 September 2011. Following McElderry's appearance on The Late Late Show in Ireland on 23 September 2011, the album rose to its peak position of number 20 in its sixth week.. Retrieved on 15 October 2011.Archived Irish Albums Chart for the week ending 29 September 2011 From Chart-Track. Retrieved on 30 September 2011. It subsequently declined to number 23, number 33, number 46, and number 75 over the following four weeks.
Track listing
Personnel Credits adapted from the liner notes of Classic. Joe McElderry – vocals City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra – Orchestra Brighton Festival Chorus – Choir James Morgan – Conductor, Producer, Mixing, Editing, Orchestral arrangements and programming, Keyboards (2, 6, 7, 10–12) Juliette Pochin – producer, mixing, editing, Orchestral arrangements and programming, Keyboards (2, 6, 7, 10–12) Steven Baker – Orchestral arrangements and programming (1, 3–5, 8, 9), Producer (1, 3–5, 8, 9) Nicholas Dodd – Orchestral arrangements and programming (1, 3–5, 8, 9) Richard Hein – Conductor (1, 3–5, 8, 9) Craig Hendry – bass guitar (1, 3–5, 8, 9) Per Lindvall – drums Alan Thomas – guitar (2, 6, 7, 10–12) Friðrik Karlsson – guitar Miloš Karadaglić – Solo Guitar (2, 6, 7, 10–12) Nick Browning – Ukulele (1, 3–5, 8, 9)
Charts
Weekly charts + Weekly chart performance for Classic Chart (2011) Peakposition
Year-end charts + Year-end chart performance for Classic Chart (2011) Position UK Albums (OCC) 48
Certifications
Release history + Classic release history Region Date Format Ireland 19 August 2011 United Kingdom 22 August 2011
References