Vocalist
Kimberley Walsh may have made her name singing with the pop group
Girls Aloud, but she is not a stranger to musical theater, having played Princess Fiona in Shrek: The Musical on London's West End. On the heels of her appearance on BBC's dancing competition show Strictly Come Dancing,
Walsh delivers her debut solo album,
Centre Stage. Featuring a mix of songs from musicals and film, the album showcases
Walsh's bright, resonant vocal style and knack for interpreting just this kind of popular songcraft. Produced by
Per Magnusson (
Leona Lewis,
Britney Spears,
Il Divo) and David Kreuger (
Steps,
the Saturdays),
Centre Stage frames
Walsh with a mix of orchestral instruments as well as more contemporary pop sounds like keyboards and guitars. Included here are such songs as "Somewhere," "Memory," and "On My Own," as well as the Once hit "Falling Slowly" featuring
Ronan Keating and Miss Saigon's "I Still Believe" featuring
Louise Dearman. For fans who know
Walsh as both a pop singer and stage musical performer,
Centre Stage is a nice balance of both worlds. ~ Matt Collar