Amy Nuttall, Best Days

12:22pm Tuesday 13th December 2005

USUALLY when a soap star releases an album the sensible thing to do is avoid it like the plague. But Amy Nuttall had a musical career before finding fame as Emmerdale's Chloe.

At 16 years old she was touring in Phantom of the Opera, the youngest person ever to play Christine the demanding soprano role made famous by Sarah Brightman. Next year she will play Eliza Doolittle in the Cameron Mackintosh UK tour of My Fair Lady.

So Bolton-born Nuttall should not be dismissed lightly. Her debut album, Best Days, is an eclectic and discerning choice of songs which showcase her vocal talents.

Tracks such as Scarborough Fair and Io Le Canto Per Te illustrate Nuttall's classical training.

Elizabethan ballad Greensleeves sits alongside Stings's Fields of Gold.

Sometimes the slick arrangements could do with beefing up a bit to match the power of Nuttall's voice, such as when she belts out the American folk song Shenandoah. There is steel behind the sweet voice, which on some tracks has shades of Barbara Streisand.

She displays her musical theatre expertise with a skillful rendition of the Lerner and Lowe classic I Could've Danced All Night.

This type of album really isn't my cup of tea but there is no denying the quality and talent in evidence. I can see Best Days being a popular Christmas present.

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