EM – Original Cast album (Hind Style Records – HSR005 and downloads available from usual sites)
Star rating: five stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Em is the latest musical from the pen of BAFTA-nominated composer Benjamin Till, whose previous works includes: Brass; Our Gay Wedding: The Musical and Beyond the Fence.
The story is very close to Till’s heart – it is set in 1965 Liverpool and tells of a young, unmarried woman desperately trying to keep hold of her baby, who the authorities want to take away from her for adoption. This is the traumatic, true story of his own mother’s experience 53 years ago. Although, the story does have a twist in its tail – an uplifting one at that!
The album features actress and comedienne Jackie Clune and leading performer Llio Millward along with two new talents Ruby Ablett and Ben Mabberley. The songs are inspired by the sounds of the 60s and range from the humorous to the harrowing.
Although set in the 1960s this has such a resounding message to put across and does it to great effect. The talent on the recording shines through and certainly makes you think about the subject matter – something you may never have given a thought to in the past. It is estimated that one in four people living in the UK are affected by adoption and you can tell from the power behind the writing just how much that has been part of Till’s family’s life.
Apart from adding this to your collection you will be helping the charity Family Action and their work in supporting people affected by adoption as Till is giving £4 to them from each sale of this album.
Nick Wakeham
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