Il Divo celebrated the release of their forthcoming album ‘The Promise’ in style last night (Oct. 30), performing to 500 guests and announcing their 2009 world tour at a global album launch in the breathtaking surroundings of Barcelona’s Museu Nacional D’Art De Catalunya.

The Promise on amazon.co.uk

The Promise on amazon.com

Introduced by Syco label head Simon Cowell, the world’s most successful operatic quartet (over 22 million albums sold) dazzled the crowd with five classic songs from their captivating new album:

The Power of Love
Hallelujah
The Winner Takes It All
Amazing Grace
Adagio

Il Divo – David Miller, Carlos Marín, Urs Buhler & Sébastien Izambard – also announced exciting plans for their 2009 world tour.

Beginning in Manchester February 21st, the tour takes in 22 European cities (including 9 UK dates) and 19 North American cities, before heading to South America, Australia and Asia later in the year.

On sale dates will be announced shortly.

Cowell: “I’m really proud to be here tonight. Il Divo really are a phenomenon. When you first start working on something like this, you can only wish it will be as successful as Il Divo are – and here we are 22 million albums later. This new album has taken 2 years to make and is, in my opinion, the best so far.”

Since coming together in 2004, Il Divo have amassed 36 number 1 chart positions across 26 countries. The group have performed to over 1.5 million fans in 30 countries over the course of two sold out world tours.

‘The Promise’ is released November 10th, 2008 on Syco Music.

An Evening with Il Divo UK Tour Itinerary 2009:

(Tour dates and information subject to change.)

February
Sat 21st MANCHESTER
Tue 24th BIRMINGHAM
Fri 27th LONDON

March
Sun 1st CARDIFF
Wed 4th NOTTINGHAM
Thu 5th SHEFFIELD
Mon 9th BELFAST

April
Sun 12th NEWCASTLE
Mon 13th GLASGOW

For music and more information, go to:

Il Divo Official Website

In 2004, four of the greatest voices in the world emerged to spearhead an entire musical genre by bringing the sound of opera to the world of popular music. Now as one of the most successful groups in the world with over 22 million albums sold, Il Divo is ready to re-emerge with a brand new album and massive touring plans.

On November 10th, 2008, Il Divo will release ‘The Promise’, the group’s fifth album (Syco). And today, Live Nation, the world’s largest live music company, announced that it has signed a global touring agreement with Il Divo who will be launching their worldwide tour in February 2009.

The deal also gives Live Nation exclusive rights to the group’s merchandise, tour sponsorships, fan club and VIP/travel packages.

“Il Divo have the best of both worlds; Simon Cowell, Syco and SonyBMG to continue producing their records and help guide their careers, and now Live Nation to handle their touring activities,” comments Peter Rudge, Il Divo’s manager from Octagon. “This new Live Nation deal was the result of great work from our team including our agents John Giddings from Solo and David Zedeck from CAA, with the support of our music partners at Syco and SonyBMG.”

For ‘The Promise’, Il Divo members David Miller, Sebastien Izambard, Urs Buhler and Carlos Marín reunited with acclaimed producer and long-time collaborator Steve MCutcheon aka Steve Mac (Kelly Clarkson, Leona Lewis, Westlife) who produced Il Divo’s #1 albums ‘Siempre’ and ‘Ancora’ plus their self-titled debut.

Sung primarily in Spanish, Italian and English, songs on ‘The Promise’ include “The Winner Takes It All”, “Hallelujah”, “Amazing Grace”, a Latin original entitled “La Promessa” and “The Power of Love,” which marks the first time songwriters Holly Johnson and Trevor Horn have allowed the song to be re-cut by any artist other than Frankie Goes to Hollywood.

“People might be surprised by this album,” suggests tenor David Miller. “Our goal was to approach it with fresh ears and fresh spirits, and try some different things. We’ve still got all the cannons and fireworks, but there is more range, different dynamics, more light and shade, more color. It’s a more complete album.”

A touring force of nature, Il Divo will announce their massive 2009 touring plans this fall.

Two sold out world tours have seen them performing to over 1.5 million people in thirty countries. They appeared at the opening and closing ceremonies of the FIFA 2006 World Cup singing the official theme song with Toni Braxton and they were special guests of Barbara Streisand on her 2006 tour of North America.

“IL DIVO have established themselves as one of the biggest global breakthrough artists of the last decade and has proven to be a powerful force in global touring with tremendous potential to expand their fan base,” said Live Nation Arthur Fogel, CEO, Global Touring and Chairman, Global Music for Live Nation. “We look forward to helping them reach their full potential over the next two years through our global distribution and marketing platform.”

Il Divo comprised of American tenor David Miller, popular French singer Sebastian Izambard, Swiss tenor Urs Buhler, and Spanish baritone Carlos Marin were initially brought together by pop impresario Simon Cowell in 2004, following an extensive worldwide audition process.

The virtuoso blending of operatic technique with romantic and popular song took the world by storm, with sales of over 22 million.

Their first three albums, ‘Il Divo’, ‘Ancora’ and ‘Siempre’, scored 39 #1 chart positions across the world. The group also released the platinum album ‘The Christmas Collection’ in 2005. Sales of their debut self-titled album smashed Led Zeppelin’s 25 year-old record of being the only band to achieve a number 1 album without a single release.

Il Divo – The Promise on amazon.co.uk

The Promise (Deluxe Edition) on amazon.com

Il Divo Official Website

Leona Lewis has just released new single, “Bleeding Love” off of her debut album ‘Spirit’, set for release November 12th, 2007 on SonyBMG. The X-Factor 2006 winner has been in LA recording her album, working with Simon Cowell, Clive Davis as well as top producers and songwriters.

After performing on X-Factor last Saturday night, Leona was on GMTV’s LK Today this morning talking about the new single and the upcoming album release. She said that she was involved in the songwriting process on some of the songs and was happy to release original material rather than all covers. She also performed “Bleeding Love” live. From what I could see it was just Leona and a backing track – no band.

Leona Lewis’ voice still sounds great – if not better than when she was on the X-Factor. “Bleeding Love” is catchy and is sure to make a grand entrance into the UK pop charts, especially considering her fans have been waiting quite some time for the opportunity to go out and buy her new single.

Watch Leona Lewis – “Bleeding Love” video:

Bleeding Love YouTube video link

Leona Lewis – “Bleeding Love” on amazon.co.uk

Spirit on amazon.co.uk

Leona Lewis Official Website

By: Jenny May

The debut releases come soon after Ben Mills finished third on The X Factor back in December that included talent judges Simon Cowell, Sharon Osbourne and Louis Walsh on the panel. Now signed to Sony BMG, this is quite an achievement for the singer with the big, soulful voice.

When Ben Mills performed Queen’s Somebody To Love while he was on The X Factor, it was at that point that I realized he really did have something special. That performance was amazing and it took a lot of courage and confidence to have pulled it off – acapella with a gospel choir. It was great to see the comments of support from his new found fans when I first wrote about Ben Mills on Band Weblogs, and now he’ll most definitely find himself overwhelmed with a new wave of admirers!

It looks as if Ben’s new record company will be keeping him very busy this year. It’s been announced on his website that he’ll be on tour later in 2007 which will follow his current X Factor Tour.

Watch Ben Mills’ new video for “Beside You” on his Myspace page!

Picture Of You tracklisting:

1. Beside You
2. Amazed
3. Nothing But The Truth
4. Maggie May
5. Anytime You Fall
6. Love Waits For Me
7. Somebody To Love
8. Don’t Wanna Miss A Thing
9. The Last To Fall
10. Bring It On Home To Me
11. Picture of You
12. With A Little Help From My Friends

“Somebody To Love” made it on to the album – pretty cool!

For news, information, tour dates and more go to Ben Mills Official Website
Ben Mills on Myspace

Buy Ben Mills music on eBay!

By: Jenny May

Ben Mills is one of the last three remaining acts on the X Factor and his latest performance was one of the most amazing covers of Queen’s “Somebody to Love” that I’ve ever heard. He, unlike most on the show, took a chance and decided to sing his version of the song acapella along with a choir. I really hope that this is released as a single – but I doubt that will happen as this rendition doesn’t comply with the norm of today’s typical pop song. Anyway, hopefully Brian May has heard this – I think he would approve.

Luckily the video of Ben Mills’ performance is on YouTube.

Watch Ben Mills performing Queen’s “Somebody To Love”

Personally, I don’t think the judges – Simon Cowell, Sharon Osborne or Louis Walsh give him enough credit for this amazing performance.

By: Jenny May

“What a lot of people may not realize is that before the season even hits the TV screen, the competition has been going on for months. You keep getting to the next rung and you start believing you have a chance to be the next American Idol,” Hall explains. “When the actual televised competition began, I told myself that the initial goal was to get to the Top 12. When I got eliminated so early in the televised competition, I had a lot of pent up sadness and anger. I found myself questioning my song choice, my wardrobe, and of course my performance. I really felt I never had a chance to show what I am capable of.”

Instead of letting those emotions hold him back or beat him down, though, Hall decided to turn that negative into a positive. “I was helped when Nayan Lassiter, a music industry executive and producer, gave me a call after I was off the show. I remember he was very encouraging. He told me ‘Everyone loses sometimes, even Tiger Woods. Nobody wins all of the time.’” That conversation was the spark, and it sent Lassiter and Patrick back into the studio where they wrote “One For The Ages” which is not only about Patrick’s personal experience of being on “American Idol” and falling short, but about the whole process of trying to win at anything in life. “After the song was done,” Patrick goes on, “Nayan told me that he was starting a new record label and asked me if I’d be interested in being his debut release. Think about it,” Hall laughs, “from one day to the next I go from being eliminated to having a record deal.”

Now, the song, which is the first single off Patrick’s upcoming album, also titled One For The Ages, on Ni-Fi Records, has been made into a video which takes an amusing look at the whole talent competition procedure. “There’s a little bit of parody of Randy, Simon and Paula,” Hall teases, “but also a lot of poking fun at myself. I remember all the trepidation I had in my earliest talent recitals back in grade school that was as much a motivation for the video as American Idol was.”

“One For The Ages”, the single, will be released on October 31. One For The Ages, the album, is slated for a February 2007 release.

Contact: Chip Schutzman
Company: Miles High Productions
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Author Laura Kaufman-PR Distributed By MuzikReviews.com for Miles High Productions