Sunday 9 September 2012

My Album - Voice of an Angel

Hey Guys! Today I'm writing a very exciting post about my album! Think of it as a behind the scenes! As most of you know I have an album out called 'Voice of an Angel', loads of you have bought it - thank you so much, and I hope you really enjoy listening to it. I thought it would be fun to write a blog post explaining the album and the songs from my point of view....why I chose certain songs and what makes them special to me, I'd also love to know if any of the songs have special meanings to you...because I think a good song should have different meanings for different people.

Also keep reading and I'll tell you how to win a signed copy!


The Cover of my Album :)
This is the track list of my album: 


1. Voice of an Angel
2. Over the Rainbow
3. Tears in Heaven
4. Someday
5. Pie Jesu
6. Bright Eyes
7. I have a Dream
8. Lift the Wings 
9. Morning has Broken
10. Nella Fantasia
11. You Raise Me Up
12. When She Loved Me  



Four of the tracks on the album are ones that I sang whilst competing on the All Ireland Talent Show, these are 'Pie Jesu', 'Tears in Heaven', 'Bright Eyes' and the one that I sang in the final 'You Raise Me Up'. 

Here's the video of Pie Jesu on YouTube:


It's funny looking at them now because I think I look so young!! The night of the final was a crazy experience I was so nervous that in one of the interviews I said 'I really hope I make it to the next round' but it was the final so there were no more rounds!

I sang 'You Raise me Up' as my last song in the final. Then when I won my family ran on stage and picked me up...so we made it really easy for the newspapers to come up with their headlines for the next day :P 

See what I mean? :)
After seeing my version of 'You Raise Me Up' on the All Ireland Talent Show, Brendan Graham the original composer of the song sent me a lovely letter and the original score of the song. He told me that he loved my version and really hoped that I would record it. 

'Lift the Wings' is a really Irish sounding song and I actually chose it because my brother Thomas sang it in a show back when he was a boy soprano and I really liked it. 

'When She Loved Me' is a song from Toy Story 2. It was actually my album producer David Hayes who suggested this song, at first I was like 'no way!' because it was sung by a girl and it was very different to my usual songs but I grew to really like it and now it's one of my favourites on the album. It's funny because on the Celtic Thunder Tour I sang another Toy Story song, 'You've got a friend in me!' 

This is a link to the original Toy Story version: 

'I have a dream' is an Abba song, but I sing a totally different version! I just loved the words of this song and really wanted it on the album. The finished version is I think really uplifting and happy! 

We chose to put 'Morning has Broken' on the album because it has always been a favourite of my Granny's and she loves when I sing it for her! 

As many of you will know I sang 'Over the Rainbowon the Celtic Thunder Voyage tour last Autumn. But the version on my album is totally different...I couldn't pick a favourite between the two! I sang 'Over the Rainbow' when I won my first All Ireland medal for singing when I was 9, so it has some special memories for me :) 

We chose the songs 'Someday' and 'Nella Fantasia' because Sharon Browne thought they would suit my voice, so obviously I didn't pass up on that advice! Nella Fantasia took a while to learn because it's ALL in Latin!!

The title track of my album 'Voice of an Angel' was actually suggested to me by my aunt Rosemarie. We thought it was fitting because during the All Ireland Talent Show I was often referred to as having the 'Voice of an Angel' so it seemed like a perfect match! We spoke to Liam Lawton the composer of the song and he said he would be delighted if I put it on my album. 

Another huge part of the album was designing the album artwork! I had to go for a photo shoot and then get someone to design the cover, we went through a few designs but I'm really happy with the finished version! 

This is a picture of the back of my album: 
Here's an insider secret, my sister took that photograph and we liked it so much that we used it on the album!

You can listen to previews of some of the album in this YouTube video: 


I know that a few of the songs on my album have quite sad meanings but I always try to sing them in a hopeful way, I think no matter how sad a situation it's always important to have hope and I try to get that across in my singing. 

So there you have it, all of the insider gossip about my album :P If you have the album already tell me what you think in the comments below! If you would like to purchase it it's available with worldwide shipping from the blog of my friend Michael Londra, who as many of you know is a very successful Irish tenor! 

or you can get it on itunes if you search 'Daniel Furlong' 

If you want to *WIN* a free signed copy leave your name and email address in the comment section below and I'll pick one at random a week from now on the 16th September!! 

**EDIT** You can also enter by emailing your name to danielfurlongpr@gmail.com putting 'Win an album' as the heading!

Bye for now! I'll talk to you soon ;) 





You can like me on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/DanielFurlongSoprano
Follow me on Twitter: @DanielFurlongCT
Also subscribe to my YouTube channel where I post new videos regularly! http://www.youtube.com/user/DanielFurlongMusic

58 comments:

  1. Christina Gano (cgano861@gmail.com)

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  2. Hey Daniel,
    Just got the Voyage II CD and love your song "To Where You Are", but have to admit that my fav of the video would have to be "You've Got A Friend In Me". I love the play between you and Keith. I hear your album is wonderful and would be honored to win an autographed copy. Your fan and friend back in states. Crystal Waybright crystal@iximd.com

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  3. 'Soon'? D'ya mean soon soon, or Irish soon? lol Loved the blog Danny!! :)

    Danni Blackmun guardianangelinabook@gmail.com

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  4. Loved reading about why you chose the songs! I love the album, my favourite is probably a tie between I have a dream and Lift The Wings, but the rest of the songs aren't far behind!
    I have loved Lift the Wings ever since I first heard it sung in Riverdance, and yours is one of the best by far (ties with Michael! lol). And by the way, you did an amazing job with 'When She Loved Me'! I'm glad you ended up doing it!

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  5. Gabrielle Cunningham, email g.cunningham2013@gmail.com your songs sound lovely and you're a great live performer (:

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  6. Jessie Baker

    mittens.magoo@gmail.com

    You're amazing, Daniel :)

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  7. I'd love a chance to win a signed copy of your CD, Daniel. Jodi Anderson ~ bandrbus@ptd.net

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  8. Great start to your career daniel. Are you going to check into recording at audio booth with oran and damian? larrysoos@yahoo.com

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  9. Macey Merling
    mruthmerling@yahoo.com

    I loved seeing you in concert<3

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  10. Martin Pleyer (Austria)
    pleyerm@gmail.com

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  11. Melissa King mkk5986@gmail.com

    Its a beautiful album. I would love to win a copy!

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  12. Terri Robar
    trobar4@comcast.net
    I very much enjoyed seeing you in concert last year.

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  13. Cecile Delon
    cecile.delon53@gmail.com

    I really love your voice, you've the voice of angel :)
    Much love x

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  14. I love the entire album. I think my favorite cuts are You Raise Me Up because it is such a beautiful song and Over the Rainbow just because I love the song.

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  15. Mark Henderson
    henderson145@yahoo.com

    Great job, got to see you with Celtic Thunder twice last year.

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  16. greyeyes51@yahoo.com
    saw you in Cherokee NC USA last year.

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  17. I already have your album, so I'll let someone else enjoy the prize! Thanks for sharing your thoughts on why you chose each song and who influences that decision. It was sweet to make your granny happy with one of her favorites! That song is also one of my favorites, since it takes me back to summer camp sunrise church services! When I listen to it all together, it is so calming and there is a thread of optimism throughout - well done!

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  18. Hello,

    Enjoyed reading about your song choices. I have your CD but it would be nice to win one for my niece. Hope you get a chance to come and perform in the US again, seen you 5 times last year with Celtic Thunder.
    Ann
    annhoock@yahoo.com

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  19. Gabrielle Wright
    gabri.girl14@gmail.com

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  20. Annette Anselmo
    knightannette@hotmail.com

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  21. Amanda Rodgers


    kitkatgirl03@yahoo.com


    Whether I win the signed copy or not, I'm giving your album to my boys (Colin, Brennan, and Nick) for Christmas! Colin in particular likes you and thinks you're amazing! I say there probably isn't a better role model for a 6-year-old!

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  22. Shane O'Neill

    mrjbfan1@gmail.com

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  23. Great Blog. Sorry to hear you aren't going to be on the fall Celtic Thunder tour. I am sure you be back in the United States performing soon.

    Steve

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  24. Hi Daniel. I'd love to win your cd. I loved all the songs you sang on the CT tour last year and I hope you get to tour with them again!!
    I also loved your version of Blackbird that you posted on Youtube.
    Keep up the good work.
    Laurie
    lauriefrank185@gmail.com

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  25. Paula Andreski

    paulaandreski@yahoo.com

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  26. Juliana Andreski

    julianaandreski@yahoo.com

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  27. Mary Andreski

    maryandreski7@yahoo.com

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  28. I love To Where You Are on the Voyage II cd. I think you have a wonderful voice and so much talent. Good luck and lots of love!

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  29. So excited for your new album!! :)

    ~Kimberly Fox
    kimbreesue@gmail.com

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  30. Wow this stuff is so cool :)

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  31. Hello Daniel!
    I got an autographed CD. It is always a pleasure, you zuzuhören.God bless your voice. Much I would see you once in Germany.
    miluspage@gmail.com

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  32. Sharon Goff Rldairy@aol.com
    you have a wonderful voice and a great future ahead of you. Thanks Daniel

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  33. nice blog daniel
    sokheaven2@Juno.ocm

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  34. Great blog as usual Daniel. Love listening to the album on itunes and would love to have an autographed cd. My favorites are tears in heaven and morning has broken both remind me of my granny. You are an awesome talent.
    Frank Maston
    (maston0927@yahoo.com)

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  35. Amie Sherrill
    lillian.sherrill@gmail.com

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  36. Jamie Howe
    sweetlystunningeyes@yahoo.com
    :)

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  37. Hi Daniel, Love your singing. Best wished to you. :)
    jonesyd97@yahoo.com Diane Jones

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  38. love love love the entire album. your voice can lift everyones spirits,even if they are down. you have made me fell tons better just listening to you sing. disero@prodigy.net

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  39. Adryanna Swisher my email is adryanna.swisher@yahoo.com

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  40. Reyna Hicks
    space.rey@gmail.com

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  41. Sam Cox
    kozmo88@comcast.net

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  42. Going to miss you this year in Dallas Daniel. At least I hope I can win a copy of your cd. kilgoreboi@gmail.com

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  43. Jana Midkiff (singingmonkey247@gmail.com)

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  44. Tyler Barton
    tylerbarton89@gmail.com

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  45. hey darlin your voice is breath taking
    shellmulloy@gmail.com

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  46. terri tharp
    territharp@gmail.com

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  47. Katrina Lizotte

    CT.thundergir@gmail.com

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  48. Keanna Irving (I'm you're age and i think you're amazing and such an inspiration!)

    kiwilovesdogs@hotmail.com

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  49. Laura Petrus
    taurus42888@yahoo.com

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  50. Øyvind Walbø

    vindwal@hotmail.com

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  51. judytaylor2009@comcast.net

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  52. Hi Daniel, A lot of people have the same name don't they!!!!(anonymous) Just wanted to congratulate you on your splendid performances when you toured the U.S. last year. I could not make the show but at least I have the DVD. I hope you tour with CT again!! Keep at it kiddo, you have a great future ahead for you!! I would love to have a signed CD from you. TAKE CARE, GOOD LUCK, AND GOD BLESS!!! Janet Parrish -- bubbiesmom1998@att.net

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  53. Kathleen Francis
    kfrancis_2003@yahoo.com

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  54. Lexi Williams cheesebugaaa@gmail.com

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  55. Patty McCoy
    patty.mccoy@comcast.net

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  56. Would love to win your cd. My fav is You have a friend in me?

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  57. Hannah Moore

    Hannahmoore756@yahoo.com

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  58. daniel you r the love of my life send me an email PLEASE

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