Thursday, November 5, 2009

The Inside Track On Where We Are

ith Westlife's first new album in two years - the incredible Where We Are - hitting stores on 30th November, we wanted to give you some extra information on what's shaping up to be one of the most exciting releases of their career...
- Where We Are features work from some of the most admired behind-the-scenes names in pop, including Grammy-nominated Ryan Tedder (Leona Lewis, Beyonce), Steve Robson (James Morrison, Take That), Steve Booker (Duffy), Louis Biancaniello and Sam Watters (Whitney Houston, Anastacia)

- Mark co-wrote the amazing ‘Reach Out' with Shaznay Lewis

- ‘Shadows' was co-written by Backstreet Boy A.J. McLean. It's a classic Westlife anthem with a twist - it features a futuristic military drum roll

- Westlife explore their rockier side on singalong number ‘The Difference'

- ‘Another World' is set to be a favourite for Mark fans, as it sees his amazing vocals soar into gospel territory

- ‘I'll See You Again' is a beautifully poignant song about the loss of a loved one, set to a backdrop of piano, synths and acoustic guitar.

Shane says: "We've been experimenting with a fresh vibe on this record, working with new producers and writing songs for the album ourselves. After eleven years we see this as phase two of the Westlife story."

Album track listing:

1) What About Now
2) How To Break A Heart
3) Leaving
4) Shadows
5) Talk Me Down
6) Where We Are
7) The Difference
8) As Love Is My Witness
9) Another World
10) No More Heroes
11) Sound Of A Broken Heart
12) Reach Out
13) I'll See You Again

Source:Westlife.com

New album for Westlife

*Includes 'Where We Are' album spoilers*

Pop's most enduring group, Westlife, have finally emerged from the studio after a year-long break to present their brand new album, 'Where We Are'.

Spending much of 2009 hidden away in studios across Europe and the US, Westlife have been quietly creating their most exciting album to date. 'Where We Are' features work from pop's finest craftsmen, including grammy nominated Ryan Tedder (Leona Lewis, Beyonce) Steve Robson (James Morrison, Take That) Steve Booker (Duffy) Louis Biancaniello and Sam Watters (Whitney Houston, Anastacia.) and Shaznay Lewis, who co-writes a track with band member Mark Feehily.

These stellar production teams have helped the boys create a new and contemporary sound, whilst retaining those classic Westlife soaring melodies and rousing lyrics. Featuring the already massive hit single 'What About Now' it's a collection bound to excite fans and pop enthusiasts alike.

Perhaps best showcasing this new sound is 'Shadows', co-written by Backstreet Boy A. J. Mclean. A classic Westlife choral anthem, peppered with a futuristic military drum roll fashioned by urban-pop maestro Ryan Tedder. The song sets the benchmark for the sound which brings Westlife bang up-to-date on the eve of the new decade.

Elsewhere 'The Difference' visits rockier terrain, while 'Another World' allows Mark Feehily's exquisite vocal to escalate to gospel territory, a moment sure to thrill live. 'I'll See You Again' laments the passing of a loved one, set to a haunting landscape of piano, synths and acoustic guitar, a moment surely relatable.

Shane Filan of the band says "We've been experimenting with a fresh vibe on this record, working with new producers and writing songs for the album ourselves. After eleven years we see this as phase two of the Westlife story."

Westlife's new material is the first since 2007's 'Back Home', which became the band's seventh number one album, spending two months in the Top Ten and selling over 1 million copies in the UK alone.

No pop band can compare to Westlife's extraordinary success. During their 11 years at the top of pop's hierarchy, the band has sold over 40 million records globally. In the UK alone they have scored nine multi-platinum albums and a record breaking 14 No.1 hits (behind only Elvis and The Beatles). They have also picked up innumerable awards and appeared on hundreds of magazine covers around the world. They are the only recording artists to win the prestigious 'Record Of The Year' an incredible four times (other top awards include two BRITS and an MTV Europe Award). Westlife are also the biggest selling Arena act ever, holding the record for the most concerts held at Wembley Arena, an incredible 23.

Source: entertainment.iafrica.com

'Where We Are' Album snippents

Amazon.co.uk has added snippets of all the songs in Westlife's new album 'Where We Are':

Listten to them:HERE

Source:Amazon.co.uk

Westlife's Nicky in shock at sudden death of father

By Allison Bray and Denise Clarke

TRIBUTES were last night paid to the father of Westlife star Nicky Byrne, who died suddenly yesterday.

Nicky Byrne Snr died yesterday in Dublin and it is believed he died of a heart attack in his workplace. It's understood he was in his early 60s.

The tragic news came after the Westlife singer paid tribute to Fifth Avenue's Beverly O'Sullivan (28) who was killed in a car crash in India on Monday.

On his Twitter page, Nicky (31) wrote that he was "in shock" about the "horrible news". However, hours later, he himself was grieving the loss of his father.

Westlife were due to begin a regional radio tour in the UK today but following the untimely death it has been cancelled. Fellow bandmate Kian Egan, who lost his own father to cancer in July, said he and the rest of the band were devastated to hear the shocking news.

Inconsolable

"It's been such a shock. Everyone feels so sad. It was just so sudden and unexpected," he told the Irish Independent last night. He said he spoke briefly with Nicky Byrne yesterday to offer his condolences but he said the young singer was inconsolable.

"He was very broken up. I never expected to be talking to the boys about another death of our parents so soon after my own father died," he said.

The band's manager and 'X Factor' judge Louis Walsh said he was also shocked by the news.

"Westlife are all devastated. They can't believe a second father is dead," he said. He said Nicky was extremely close to his namesake who was also a singer on the Dublin pub circuit.

The famous star used to sing karaoke with his dad who had his own band called 'Nicky and the Studz'.

Meanwhile, family members and others close to Mr Byrne and his family last night appealed for privacy in order to grieve.

A statement issued on behalf of his family last night read: "The family would like to confirm the sad news of the very sudden loss of a husband, dad and grandad today.

"A wonderful man who will be sadly missed by everyone whose life he touched. The Byrne family would like to ask that you respect their privacy at this time."

A spokesman for former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern -- who is Nicky Jnr's father-in-law -- said: "It is a huge shock to the whole family. His thoughts and sympathies are with Yvonne, Nicko, Gillian, Adam and his beloved grandchildren, Jay and Rocco."

Westlife were due to hit the road today until Friday for a regional radio tour to visit local stations in Glasgow, Manchester, Yorkshire, Leeds and Birmingham but it has been cancelled.

A statement on the band's website last night read: "We apologise that due to unforeseen circumstances the Westlife radio tour has been cancelled. We're sorry for the disappointment this will cause and will bring you further updates soon."

Source:Independent.ie

Westlife’s Nicky Byrne mourns death of father

Westlife star Nicky Byrne returns to Ireland after his father died on Tuesday

Westlife member Nicky Byrne has jetted back to Ireland on the news that his father - Nicky Sr - has passed away suddenly.

The pop star, 31, had been in London on Tuesday as the band prepared to embark on a TV and radio tour to promote their new album Where We Are and were due in Scotland to appear on STV programme The Hour.

In a statement tonight the Byrne family said: "The family would like to confirm the sad news of the very sudden loss of a husband, dad and granddad today."

They described Nicky Snr as "a wonderful man who will be sadly missed by everyone whose life he touched".

A statement from the band's management company SyCo Music confirmed that their promotional tour had been postponed. "We apologise that due to unforeseen circumstances the Westlife regional radio tour 4-6 November has been cancelled," read the statement. "We're very sorry for the disappointment that this will cause and will be bringing you further updates soon."

Nicky picked up his musical talent from his father, who was a well known singer and musician on the Ireland cabaret scene.

It was only last year in December that the Westlife star threw a birthday bash for his dad's 60th birthday, buying him a £16,000 Harley Davidson motorbike as a present.

His father's death is the third tragedy to hit 31-year-old Nicky in recent weeks. Only last month, the father-of-two returned to his native Dublin to pay his final respects to his friend, Boyzone's Stephen Gately, after he died suddenly in Majorca. Yesterday, another friend and fellow Dubliner, Beverley O'Sullivan, a former star with Irish pop group Fifth Avenue, died in a car crash in India.

Westlife have had global success with 14 number one hits and sold 40 million records worldwide and their new single What About Now came in at number two in Sunday's official chart show.

The band were formed in the 90s under the name IOYOU but their original line-up fell foul of music mogul Simon Cowell, with three members of the band axed.

Kian, Mark and Shane were then joined by Nicky and Bryan to form Westside in 1998, a name which was then changed to Westlife and have since been managed by X Factor judge Louis Walsh.

Nicky is married to Georgina Ahern, daughter of the former Irish Taoiseach Bertie Ahern. They have twin sons, Rocco and Jay.

Source: Entertainment.stv.tv