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TOM SOLOMON
Actor
"THE BBC RADIO 2
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REVIEWS & FANS
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"THE BBC RADIO 2 VOICE OF MUSICAL THEATRE 2005"
REVIEWS
REVIEW FROM "THE STAGE ONLINE"
Last but not least there is just time to mention
the final of the BBC Radio 2 Voice of Musical Theatre.
In 2000 the first winner of this worldwide competition
was 19-year-old Laura Michelle Kelly,
not a bad choice considering she is now starring as Mary Poppins in the West End.
As part of the Cardiff International Festival of Musical Theatre,
six performers with great potential battled it out for the prestigious title plus a cash prize
and a whole host of opportunities to work on BBC radio.
The standard was incredibly high, while the material chosen,
ranging from She Loves Me via Miss Saigon to the Broadway show Wicked,
was great to listen to.
It was also interesting with purely the voice to focus on
rather than the all-round performance onstage.
Coming a close second for me in the competition was Jenna Lee-James,
currently appearing in We Will Rock You,
but the deserving winner
was the extremely talented
Tom Solomon.
Though the name may not be immediately familiar,
Solomon has played lead roles in both Les Miserables and The Phantom of the Opera.
Listen out for his radio appearances,
his is a voice to savour.
LISA MARTLAND
THE STAGE ONLINE
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REVIEW ON IC
WALES:
THE NATIONAL WEBSITE OF WALES
Win for Phantom understudy
AN understudy in the hit musical Phantom of The Opera
has been named the BBC Radio 2 Voice of Musical Theatre 2005
at a glittering gala contest in Cardiff.
Tom Solomon, who is currently first cover for the part of Raoul
at Her Majesty's Theatre in London,
took the title after an incredibly tight final at Cardiff's New Theatre on Saturday night.
The judges admitted to a tough job in making their final decision.
"There were rivers of blood," quipped actress Julia McKenzie,
one of the star names on the panel.
"It was very close and literally came down to one point."
More than 200 performers from around the world were auditioned
for the contest in New York and London.
Just 12 were successful in reaching the semi-final stage -
and six made it to Saturday night's final at the New Theatre.
As well as the title, winner Tom collected a cash prize
and BBC broadcast engagements.
The first winner of the contest in 2000, Laura Michelle Kelly,
has soared from one success to another
- she is currently playing the title role in Mary Poppins in the West End.
GEMMA WILLIAMS
SOUTH WALES ECHO - 11 APR 2005
http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk
ALBUM REVIEWS
(SEE FURTHER BELOW FOR PERFORMANCE REVIEWS)
more than this...
REVIEW FROM "DRESS CIRCLE"
Currently appearing in The Phantom of the Opera
this cd shows why Tom is in such demand in the West End.
Possessing a strong voice
which is capable of displaying great emotion
whether it is on a musical theatre song or more contemporary material.
Wisely keeping away from typical musical fodder
of songs from ‘Phantom’ or ‘Les Miserables’ etc.,
here we are treated to a wide range of songs from the contemporary songbook
such as ‘The Long and Winding Road’ and ‘The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face’
to classic cabaret material
such as Callaway’s ‘Never Really Mine To Lose’ and Craig Carnelia’s ‘Flight’.
I particularly liked his interpretation of Roy Orbison’s ‘Crying’
and the title song ‘More Than This’.
If I have one criticism
it is that I would have liked to hear a few more up-beat, up-tempo numbers
to give more variety to the overall sound of the recording.
Jonathan French as Musical Director
provides excellent support
and his playing perfectly matches the sensitivity in Tom’s voice.
This cd will keep his legions of fans Very Happy and is an Excellent debut recording.
CHRIS G
DRESS CIRCLE
more than this...
REVIEW FROM "MUSICAL STAGES"
Tom Solomon may be a new name to many readers,
despite the fact he has appeared in Les Miserables
and is currently in Phantom of the Opera.
This album is a selection of ballads,
and if some are a little similar,
they certainly display a notable voice with a beautiful tone,
and exceptional control.
With Marius and Raoul under his belt,
Tom is by no means a newcomer,
but he is certainly a talent to watch.
An accomplished tenor,
the repertoire is a mix of well known (Wind Beneath My Wings) and some not so.
The album is well produced,
with Tom ably assisted at the piano
by Jonathon French.
The up tempo title track More Than This stands out - as does its sentiment.
We expect as worthy as this debut album is,
there may well be… MORE THAN THIS…
MARK BARLOW
MUSICAL STAGES
mark.barlow@musicalstages.co.uk
MORE THAN THIS... (HOLLAND)
I received the album today!
What can I say...........in one word: Amazing!
It's really, really good and I'm very impressed!
I've heard so many artists sing and I've seen lots of people recording an album
but this one is extraordinary.
Your voice is so beautiful and you seem to have no problems with the high or low notes.
Some parts are very gently sung and some parts are louder and more powerful but everything's even flawless!
It really gave me goosebumps!
Your voice sounds well trained and still pure and straight from the heart.
The piano is my favourite instrument and I think it works extremely well.
It sounds much more intimate than a whole orchestra.
Now you can really concentrate on your voice and the piano and the lyrics
and the way you sing it have much more meaning this way.
The choice of the songs is great too! Although I didn't know all of them.
Like 'Never Really Mine To Lose', what a beautiful song!
And 'You Raise Me Up', 'More Than This' and 'Shouldn't I Be Less In Love With You', as well.
And of course I knew 'Crying', 'She's Always A Woman',
and 'The Wind Beneath My Wings' but you really made them your own!
I can honestly say there isn't one song I don't like.
Oh yeah, and 'Flight' is also fantastic!
Yes this album will be in my cd player for the next while...
Sander
MORE THAN THIS... (JAPAN)
“What a shame! I didn't watch Les
Mis when you were there…
I wanted to see
your
Marius & listen to your ‘Empty
Chairs At Empty Tables’.
Must've
been
brilliant cos your voice is so lovely!
Anyway I love your CD!!!
especially, ‘She's
Got A Way’, ‘Never
Really Mine To Lose’,
‘Even Angels Cry’
and ‘The Wind Beneath My Wings’.
Brilliant! I hope you'll make another one very soon.”
Love, Tomoko
xxx
MORE THAN THIS... (JAPAN)
I tried to pick out a few songs to mention here to say “this song was especially wonderful…"
but I couldn’t cos I literally love each and every one of them!
Reiko
MORE THAN THIS... (NORWAY)
This album will light up even the most chilly, rainy night.
Sit down with a warm blanket, get a cup of hot chocolate, close your eyes and just listen....
This voice will make you wish you could stay in
this place forever...
Your voice is technically very skilled,
but you also manage to add so much personality to the music...
I really love the album... every single note is great.
It has been playing almost constantly since I got it.
The text is also very easy to hear, which I
think is great because English
is my second language, and one I don't use every day...
It feels great to listen to your cd and not worry that anything should be
off key...
Your voice is soft as silk, warm and tender...
I feel safe listening to it...
I love the CD...
I fell in love with your voice
Mona
MORE THAN THIS... (PHILIPPINES)
I spent the night listening to Tom,
his gentle theatrical voice gets right through me.
Can't wait for company night out to see Tom in Phantom.
Cynthia
MORE THAN THIS... (DUBAI,
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES)
The artistic talent and clarity of performance that is Tom Solomon shines
through on this CD.
A voice from the heart, with such a natural interpretation,
is truly unique and a pure joy to listen too.
I am sure this will be the first of many to follow.
Bryan
MORE THAN THIS... (UK)
Warm, intimate, soothing, appealing and
‘more than this’ – Tom Solomon’s first solo album
reveals not only a superb contemporary style of song, but also the rare ability of the artist
to make each beautiful song personal and touching.
From his sensitive rendition of Lennon and McCartney’s ‘The Long and Winding Road’,
to the less well-known ‘That’s the way I feel about you’,
each song is performed with a deep sense of emotion and musicality.
His light, tenor voice uses a wide vocal range and a variety of tone colours:
both calming and exciting; always pleasing and gentle; like a warm summer breeze.
Tom’s accompaniment is piano alone. Pianist and singer perform as one.
Singing, so they say, is good for the soul.
So, surely, is listening to this CD!
Peter
MORE THAN THIS... (UK)
Finally your CD has arrived, I love it!
I'm giving a copy to my parents for Christmas
Ann
MORE THAN THIS... (UK)
Make sure NOTHING is going to disturb you
dim the lights
and just disappear into THAT VOICE.
Joanne
MORE THAN THIS...
(UK)
Makes you cry and cry and cry.
It's like being comforted by sound.
Jane
MORE THAN THIS... (UK)
Wonderful -
my son has just borrowed some amazing Hi-Fi equipment
which I shall ask to borrow soon to play your CD -
however, it already sounds superb on our own player.
Gill
MORE THAN THIS...
(UK)
I found myself wishing for a traffic jam on the M25
so I could get to the end of the album on my drive home.
Richard
MORE THAN THIS...
(UK)
Even Angels Cry is my favourite track.
It's so catchy I played it again and again.
Mary
MORE THAN THIS...
(UK)
I listened to it once
and ordered a copy for all my friends and relatives
for Christmas
Karen
MORE THAN THIS... (UK)
Great choice of material, wide variety of styles and all beautifully sung.
Paul
MORE THAN THIS...
(UK)
Your album's great!
Michael
MORE THAN THIS...
(UK)
Well
it was certainly worth the wait!
As snuggly as a cashmere blanket or a night in with your best girl friends,
Personal favourites:- You Raise Me Up,
should be the theme to something like red nose day or marathon
Crying beautifully and subtly altered didn't think of Only Fools and Horses
once!
Even Angels Cry and Shouldn't I be less in love with you?
Well done, congratulations and lots of love
Lynn
MORE THAN THIS...
(UK)
The CD is brilliant, love every track,
my particular favourites being (in no particular order)
The Long and Winding Road, Crying, Flight, Never Really Mine to Lose
- in fact the whole album is great.
Very nice mixture of songs, a few of which I have never heard of before,
the only ones I knew were The Long and Winding Road, Never Really Mine to Lose,
Crying, She's Always a Woman, The First Time Ever I saw your Face
and apart from the two that you sang at your cabaret the others were new to me
and that is always interesting.
Just your voice and the piano works perfectly.
So congratulations on a brilliant
album.
See you
next week when we come to see the show.
love
and hugs
Tracy x
MORE THAN THIS... (UK)
Received the album today!!!
Really good, well done, brings back many good memories.
Love
Carol
PERFORMANCE REVIEWS
Les Miserables
‘He has a superb voice and a charming stage personality.’
Ken Caswell, Associate Director of Les Miserables, 2003
The Phantom of the Opera (NORWAY)
I saw you in "Phantom", and I fell in love with your voice...
Mona
Les Miserables (USA)
An eye catching performer!
Stands out on the stage not only because of his good looks,
but also by the charismatic aura he possesses. Bravo!
Chicago, 2003
Wouldn’t It Be Luverly
‘Solomon, who has a fine, versatile tenor voice,
particularly charmed the ladies in the audience
with his easy manner and smile.’
Eastern Daily Press, 2002
Songs for a Summer Evening
‘Tom
Solomon held the audience spellbound
with his rendering of Schubert’s Ave Maria…
his Why, God, Why?, from Miss Saigon,
had the audience calling him back to take a second
bow,
so popular was he.’
Eastern Daily Press, 2000
Godspell
‘Tom Solomon was a warm, convincing Christ figure…’
Birmingham Post, 1999
Orpheus In The Underworld
‘All
parts were cast from strength,
including Tom Solomon’s maddeningly self-satisfied music teacher
of an Orpheus, complete with an adoring bevy of under-age St Trinian’s-like
pupils.’
Opera Magazine, 1999
Cinderella And Her Very Ugly Sisters
‘Tom Solomon hit the big time as the
lead solo part of Prince Charming…’
Hertfordshire Mercury, 1998
Midsummer Magic
‘Tom Solomon’s excellent solo, Love Changes Everything…’
Hertfordshire Mercury, 1997