The genial British singer Russell Watson has enjoyed an enduring popularity since his first hit album, ‘The Voice’, dominated the charts in 2000. His story has taken him from working men’s clubs to some of the world’s biggest stages, and while he’s enjoyed plenty of hits, he’s overcome some heavy knocks to be where he is today. Here, Russell chooses some of the music that has most influenced him as a performer and lover of music.
I grew up in Salford, Mum was a stay-at-home Mum, my Dad worked 12-hour night shifts, which meant that predominantly I was listening to Mum’s favourite songs. She was into everything from Cliff Richard to John Denver, but she was a big classical fan as well.
There was one chap that she listened to in particular, and I think he probably slotted into the, for want of a better word, the ‘crossover’ category, and his name was James Last. She had a couple of albums, but she had ‘The Best Of…’ on repeat. There was one piece in particular, Einsamer Hirte, which I think means ‘The Lonely Shepherd’; it’s a very famous piece and I just remember listening to that as a kid and thinking it was very beautiful.
Dad would often work five or six days a week, so that meant in the short spells of time when he was at home, he would commandeer the radiogram in the corner of the lounge. He was into country music, and in particular Johnny Cash. So whenever Dad was at home it would be Johnny Cash, Johnny Cash or Johnny Cash – occasionally he would put on a bit of Olivia Newton-John, though I think there may have been underlying reasons for that. I remember my Mum saying, ‘you’re not putting her on again are you?’
The one Cash song that resonates with me would be ‘Ring of Fire’. I was literally growing up with the most ridiculous and eclectic mix of music. I think that’s the reason I didn’t differentiate, in the early stages of my recording, between the pop and classical repertoire.
My grandfather was an incredible pianist and I think this is where my genuine love of the classical repertoire comes from. I would go into the front room and sit and lean against the back leg of the Steinway and feel the vibrations going up and down my back as he played – I’d often fall asleep listening to him.
He was completely lacking in confidence, but had this incredible talent for playing concert-standard piano. He used to play Chopin's Nocturne No. 2 in E flat major, which is just a beautiful piece. It brings all those memories flooding back.
I think out of everybody, my grandmother was my biggest influence, certainly as far as musical taste, and because I used to spend a lot of time with her. We’d watch the old classic movies together and one I used to love watching with her was The Great Caruso starring Mario Lanza. Her collection of music was massive; it didn’t fit inside the realms of the radiogram. It was an extensive library, here there and everywhere around the house.
There was one piece that she would listen to a lot, and that’s the Intermezzo from Cavalleria Rusticana by the Italian opera composer Pietro Mascagni.
It’s a piece that always induces some melancholy and a few tears as well. Not tears of sadness, but for the good memories that stir within me. When I’d visit her, the front door would swing open and the first thing to hit me would be the sound of music. That, and the smell of freshly baked bread and cakes.
In 1993/94 I was schlepping around the clubs northwest of Manchester in my battered old Peugeot 309, turning up wherever I was booked for £70 a night. There was this one place called Wigan Road Working Men’s Club, and after my first set the concert secretary came striding over.
He said, in his very broad Wigan accent, ‘I’ll tell you what, Lad, you’ve got a cracking voice on thee; have you ever tried any of that operatic stuff, like Pavarotti and his pals do? I reckon that’d suit your voice right down t’ground!’
And that was in essence the beginning of it all for me; I remembered that stuff from when I was a kid, so I went away and learned 'Nessun Dorma', from Puccini's opera Turandot, phonetically.
The first time I sang it, everyone was up on their feet shouting for more and I thought, ‘I might have something here.’ So I went away and got my first vocal coach. ‘Nessun Dorma’ was the catalyst for everything in my career from that point.
Russell Watson's musical choices
The Very Best of James Last
James Last Orchestra
Polydor 109 189-2
Johnny Cash Ring Of Fire
Johnny Cash
Island 602498878507
Chopin Nocturne No. 2 in E flat major
Artur Rubinstein (piano)
Naxos 8110659-60
Mascagni Cavalleria Rusticana – Intermezzo
RCA Victor Symphony Orchestra/Renato Cellini
Sony Classical 88875054492
Puccini Turandot – Nessun Dorma
Luciano Pavarotti (tenor) et al
Decca 430 433-2
