Ronan Parke

I grew up in the 1960's and 1970's. I can't remember the last time I ordered an album with anticipation as I've aged, but I was excited in my order with Ronan's first album. I was equally blown away hearing him on YouTube with the ITV talent show. The cover songs in this album were easily recongizable, but the new songs fooled me a bit. I kept thinking I must have missed some songs back in the 1970's, when in fact some of these are original songs and arrangements. Still, they made me think of my youth as I listened to Ronan sing. The whole album moved me to no end.I especially loved the approach used with Lady Gaga's song "On the Edge of Glory"; using nothing more than a rythmn guitar and Ronan's voice full of love and spirit. Unbelievable that with nothing but two instruments, he held me spell bound with the magic in his voice. It was like no instruments were missing, as he sung Lady Gaga's song. I did see this on YouTube and I'm glad it was included on the album. While it is different from the arrangement Lady Gaga did, I love listening to different arrangements of songs and musical pieces. If I had wanted Lady Gaga singing it, I would listen to her album, but this is Ronan singing it, so I wanted to hear how he would handle it and I loved the approach. It was more subdued and brought out an aspect of the song, and who it was dedicated to, far more than the way Lady Gaga performed it I might add. I second majored in music out of Loyola University of Westchester in the 1970's and did a lot of composing in my early twenties, that is until my health started to fail at age 27 which ended my pursuit in music. So I have quite a background in the study of music, composition and appreciations as I pass these thoughts on in my review.As the first reviewer pointed out, Ronan's voice is due to change soon, but I don't think it is his voice that fully sells him. God gave him a great gift with his voice and looks. You need both in show business to attract audiences. This is a youth oriented world no matter what anyone says. Youth sells because it has sex appeal to it. Still, such gifts would be no good unless his heart was full of the divine love that comes forth from his spirit at such a young age. He reminds me of the passage in the Bible which says; "And a little child shall lead them". I think Ronan will lead the way, even after his voice changes and it's because of the love he has in his heart and his ability to empathically connect with each song he sings empathically that will make him a "truly big star" in the end and not just a "shooting star". Time will tell, of course. The other issue is how long will he want to pursue his career in music, if the doors keep opening for him as he ages? That's a question only he can answer for all of us in the end, but for now, I'm enjoying his grand start, as are many who have heard him sing.What I can say is that this kid has an ongoing serious fan with me, even at my age and I'm 55. I'm up in my years with poor health these days, but when I first heard Ronan sing, he reminded me, as the Universe opened up to him, that everything we recieve is a grace from God. Hard work is good to a point, but unless God has ordained the blessing in advance, it is impossible to recieve the fine gift this boy has not only recieved by those who have embraced him, but for him to give us the gift of love God gave him to help lift all of us up when we listen to him sing. Isn't that the job of any entertainer though...to help lift up their audience? I think so. I pray he keeps doing so. It will give him a long lasting career, if he never loses sight of that main reason why he is here for all of us and why we are supporting him by purchasing his finished works. So far he's got a grand family of people around him helping him along on his journey. May it continue to be so.His first album had tears at times coming down my face as I listened to this boy sing. I've been through a lot in my life and while this may be geared for kids, the kid in all of us can identify with the songs and the way Ronan is delivering them to us with that angelic yet power filled voice of his. The power of his voice is fueled by a soul full of love and courage. Make no mistake about who this boy is. I can see him at my age and he is not invisble to me.I pray God keeps him safe from all harm and rewards him with a rich and rewarding career and life in the music industry. He certainly is off to a great start! So please buy his album. I didn't regret the purchase and I'm nobody special, but you go Ronan! Show'em how it's done kid!

I am probably far divorced from the demographic that Ronan "appears" to cater to. What is AMAZINg is that once you hear Ronan sing, you quickly understand that he is not a "typical" teen idol singer who simply caters to his own generation. I cant stress enough that he is the BEST young singer to come along for this very reason.Most of the album is "covers" of works from other pop singers. None of the rap stuff which seems to be the mainstay these days.I remember Simon Cowell saying that if you cant do it better, do it different. THIS is the very element that makes EVERYTHING that Ronan does; SHINE like the brightest star. Ronan has a unique ability to take this music to a new level. Truly some of his songs can only be described as ANGELIC.One of Ronans favorite songs, "Fix You" is an example. Nobody can deny the talent of Coldplay who made this song a hit. Ronan takes it to a different level and its obvious that Ronan FEELS the emotion of what he sings and interprets if perfectly in his own unique way. i REALLY like the song "firework" by Katy Perry. Ronan once again takes the song to a totally new level. Every word is clearly heard and understood and brings with it an emotion that you dont find in the original work.For a 12/13 year old, Ronan has an AMAZING range. It kind of saddens me that this will change, before too long and i can only hope that Ronan will adapt to these changes and be able to bring the same emotion and dynamics that he does now. I will say again that his voice is simply angelic, and it grabs me at en emotional level that few people can do. I dont just hear it, I FEEL it deeply when he sings. Some young singers his age, come across as annoying. Sometimes they seem like a passing fad. Ronan is the opposite of that.I hope too that he will continue to pick and chose his material with the same care that he has so far. I dont want to see him sell out to the typical pop or rap teen music scene. He is simply TOO GOOD for that music.What I sincerely hope is that Ronan can make the transition as he matures. I hope that he will make good choices musically and the the record studios will support that was well. I know that I will definitely support him if he continues on this path. He has a very special gift and I want him to share that gift with us for many years to come.I HIGHLY RECOMMENT THIS ALBUM.

I love this album; every song is so nice to listen to and that’s really rare for me when I like all 12 songs. Ronan’s voice is so soothing and the way he sings the songs, in his own straightforward, heart-felt manner is so comforting. The choice of songs is great too, with positive messages for people of all ages. Super uplifting. I listen to it on my drive to work and on my way home. (I admit, sometimes I listen to it at work also with my earbuds on.) My favorite song on the album is “Fix You.” I can’t stop playing it. I love the way the tempo changes and the way the guitars come in. It sounds like there are ten guitars. And I also love the depth of feeling in Ronan’s voice in all the songs, but “Fix You” is especially gripping. I am so glad that Ronan had the courage to try out for “Britain’s Got Talent” because a great star was discovered for all of us. I look forward to his next album. Also, I want to say that Ronan’s studio band and the arrangement of the songs is terrific. The musical support is first rate, so hats off to all those people behind Ronan too—you’re doing a great job, keep it up, and let Ronan’s perfect voice ring through. Ronan, you are terrific.