| Manchester City: The Album | - Released: Nov 28 2005
- 20 tracks
- Published by Sanctuary Records
|
What prompted you to make it? "When it became clear everyone, including the club, was serious about making the record, we all agreed that it had to be seen as credible, we wanted it to be credible. "Let’s face it, football records in the past have not been the best but we needed this to have a Manchester vibe. Then once the concept had got underway with producer Perry Hughes in charge, it was obvious that idea of a Manchester vibe was happening." Clearly it’s aimed at City fans but do you think football fans in general will enjoy it? "I hope so because it’s been great fun for me to do, really exciting. Obviously City fans will get the most from it as we just wanted to bring all the classic City songs, that go back for generations, bang up to date. "When we made it, we went through all the chants and terrace songs and worked from there. We added dance beats & stuff and we just wanted to appeal to every generation of City fans. If you listen, there’s the out and out dance-y stuff for the kids next to the tracks for the older generation. As I say, it’s been really exciting for me to do." After the classical album, isn’t this a bit of a comedown for you? "Not at all, no. You’ve got to remember, I have been a City season ticket holder for 23 years so, far from a comedown, it’s been a real privilege and – because of that – it was important it was done right. It only took four months to make, which is very quick time to make a record in, but it had to be right. It did help in that everyone involved in the project was a Blue, something of a constant theme really you could say!" Is this mixing of football chants with classical music a bit of an elaborate mickey-take? "I suppose you could say there is an element of poking fun at myself in there, even if the occasional City fan might take exception to that suggestion. But City fans are known country-wide for their sense of humour so that’s inevitable really. Although I am an opera singer, I am also just an ordinary bloke and football fan. "The whole project has been good fun so it’s not surprising that good feeling comes through. We have made sure all the chants have been done tastefully not to offend people. If I can manage to put a few smiles on people’s faces, I think that’ll be good. You could say, after all the loyalty the fans have shown me, it’s only fair." This official MCFC Album has been described as the first of its kind so couldn’t it be described as just another way of ripping football fans off? | "Far from a comedown, it’s been a real privilege and – because of that – it was important it was done right." | | Jon Christos |
"I agree there are some clubs who could be described as ripping their fans off by changing their club shirts all the time but then other clubs are not like that. I don’t think City is like that and this album is certainly not expensive. It is reasonably priced not expensive and it’s not as if the club is going to bring out a new album every year. I must admit it also does get you in the mood on the way to the match!" What are you going to do next? "It’s a bit difficult to answer that question at the moment as things are so busy. I have a load of television and radio appearances coming up over the Christmas period. I’m due to go on Songs of Praise; I’ve got a couple of appearances coming up on Radio 2’s Friday Night is Music Night; I’m going on ITV’s Des and Mel; I’m even off to America soon so I’m quite busy, sorry!" | 
