2013 is shaping up to be a busy year for Michael Ball.
The singer, who represented the UK at the Eurovision Song Contest in 1992 is to release his new single this coming Monday, 18 March. The Andrew Lloyd-Webber and Leslie Bricusse-penned track is called The perfect song, and its video will be released simultaneously.
Monday’s single and video release follows that of Michael’s twelfth solo album, Both sides now on 25 February 2013. The album features a mix of classic songs from the musicals and brand new tracks.
As well as The perfect song, the album includes Suddenly, the new track written especially for the film version of the well-known musical, Les Misérables, and Fight the fight, a song taken from the musical of the 1953 film, From here to eternity, which is due to premiere in London this coming October. The star has also recorded a brand new version of one of his most famous songs, Love changes everything, with vocal group Il Divo especially for the album.
Both sides now will be supported by a UK tour kicking off mid-April in Ipswich. Michael has also been confirmed as host and performer of an ITV special celebrating Andrew Lloyd-Webber’s 40 years in musicals. A date for the show is expected soon.
Michael Ball represented the United Kingdom at the Eurovision Song Contest in 1992 when it was first held in Malmö. His song, One step out of time, had been favourite before the competition but ended up taking second place behind Ireland’s Linda Martin and her ballad Why me?
Since then, he has been involved with a number of high-profile projects in the UK, both on stage and on television. His most recent stage appearance was last year in the title role of the musical Sweeney Todd: the demon barber of Fleet Street. In the same year, Michael Ball performed his Eurovision entry once again, this time on stage in the West End as part of West End Eurovision, a charity fundraiser that saw stars of the musicals perform Eurovision entries. He is currently hosting a weekly radio show on BBC Radio 2, Michael Ball on Sunday.
Andrew Lloyd-Webber, who co-wrote Michael’s new single, also wrote the song that represented the United Kingdom at the Eurovision Song Contest in Moscow, 2009. It’s my time was performed by Jade Ewen and finished in fifth place, the UK’s best result since 2002.
Michael’s UK tour dates are as follows –
- Monday 15 April – Ipswich Regent Theatre
- Wednesday 17 April – Newcastle City Hall
- Thursday 18 April – Glasgow Clyde Auditorium
- Friday 19 April – Liverpool Empire
- Sunday 21 April – Sheffield City Hall
- Monday 22 April – Manchester Bridgewater Hall
- Tuesday 23 April – York Barbican
- Thursday 25 April – Nottingham Royal Concert Hall
- Friday 26 April – Blackpool Opera House
Michael at Eurovision in 1992 –
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LphWy264gVg
