David Sneddon Reviews

*DAVID SNEDDON REVIEWS '

Reviews Jazz Bar Edinburgh 2007 -

‘His set is far too short, and he has something new in his sincere songs. He is in a different league to most singer songwriters, who don’t touch me in my heart that way.’ Singer

David Sneddon in his alter ego is the lead singer of an upbeat band called The Martians. Much of his time, however, is spent performing acoustically in clubs. In this world premiere performance he was ably accompanied on acoustic guitar by fellow Martian, John Kielty.

(Kielty is currently working on Sundowe, a musical about Zombies commissioned by impresario, Cameron Macintosh and due for performance at Eden Court in Inverness this November.)

David on stage is very much a fresh-faced, cheeky chappy until he gets behind his piano and then the serious performer takes over. He puts his heart and soul into his music. He played all his own songs, seven in all: the rather poignant, One old soul; the autobiographical Time; Lady Lullaby; Insomnia; Wish you well - my personal favourite; 'White noise', the title track from his current album and finally, by audience request, Stop living the lie.

Sneddon is strong on the piano and is undoubtedly a good singer. His delivery is honest and unaffected which allows the audience, not only to enjoy the natural qualities of his voice, but also to focus on his lyrics which are at some times touching whilst at others provoking and edgy. They are always thoughtful and intelligent. He comes across very much as a person who does not take himself too seriously but as someone who has given total commitment to his music. He clearly enjoys performing.

The audience last night was quick to pick up on this and an immediate rapport was established. As he said, music has been good to him. By forsaking the bubblegum world of pop offered to him through his success in 'Fame Academy' and allowing his depth to show, David Sneddon has in turn been good for music. © 25 August 2007. www.EdinburghGuide.com

Fans were buzzing after David’s sold out gigs at the festival. The audience was of every age range and responded enthusiastically. Some fans had travelled many miles to hear David perform.

He writes songs with sincere quality. David not only has something new to say, but a distinctive sound and voice - with strong dynamic piano playing and clear emotionally passionate vocals and melodies that reach into your heart. His lyrics are deeply touching, and his songs like folk songs conjure vivid images..

'WHITE NOISE' EP REVIEWS -

 This Week's UK indiestore.com Picks: WHITE NOISE DAVID SNEDDON

"... he's a considerable talent who deserves a fairer hearing. With his rich Scots burr much in evidence, this is that fair hearing. Listen up." 17th Jan 2007 Indie Store

Offers a timeless authentic sound. David's music portrays wide-ranging moods with his pure sensual vocals in strong contrast to his hard hitting ‘positive notes’ piano. His voice is one moment melancholy and then tender, evocative and then forceful, led by his strong dynamic piano playing. It brings a subtle blend of sensitive melody and rhythmic moods. David has gone for the acoustic impact of a ‘one live take.’

All five tracks are stand outs, in particular the optimistic love song White Noise, and the energetic moving melody of 'One Old Soul'. Also includes the heartfelt piano track Wish You Well, the joyous Time, the sexy soothing romantic Lady Lullaby. Engaging and absorbing. 

'I think your music is wonderful, and you're such a genuine kind of a singer...your own style, and a wonderful hint of a brogue that just adds to the flavour. So good to hear something that hasn't been chopped up and processed to blandness these days! Keep it up!' Opera singer Patricia Hammond

The strengths of David’s set are the quality of the songs and that magic something in David’s voice. He is performing on energetic, accomplished set.

''smells of booze and cheap cologne, well, i know that could easily be me but i took my way out, time, always take your time, don't waste your time' 'you lay yourself right out there in your songs. and then you double it by singing with the same quality. this is a great tune. sincerity is your trademark. perhaps that is the essence why i like your music .' Janice Kephart writer and music fan

i'm hugely impressed..blown away by all three songs, in fact further evidence that all pop music should be sung with a glaswegian accent, your voice sounds flat-out fantastic "the window asks the morning in" is a great lyric, to be sure, i loved "one old soul" so much i was immediately compelled to grab my guitar and figure out the chord progression. while certainly the lyrics and melody are all your own, the song's style most favorably reminds me of tahiti 80 and travis and radiohead's "creep." Butch Young musician

 A few comments - wooah! i love your music!! its so great!! keep it real david!! Wow! What a lovely voice! Great songs! Love them! !! Keep Up The Good Work Young Man.Fab Voice !! Wow, he's amazing. Thanks for introducing me to his music. !! David you are the most inspirational singer songwriter that has ever emerged from the reality TV genre. You have the most touching lyrics and almost heaven like face that a person would ask for. Love ya! I am fascinated by how smiley and happy and upbeat he is, and then when he sings all the real emotion comes out and it's just such an amazing contrast. I love Davids voice, it pitches at a very emotional level for me.

------------------------------------------------------------------

GIG REVIEWS  2006

 HIGHBARN- It was standing room only at High Barn in Great Bardfield as David Sneddon. ..played a 90-minute "This is an amazing venue.. I would rather play here than Wembley. " The performance was stripped down with only two musicians on stage: Sound engineer - "The crowd loved him. He's a very talented performer and he played a great set that obviously went down well with the audience."Dunmow 16/12/06

ORAN MOR - 'The Scots Fame Academy winner proved his talent with this acoustic show. Accompanied on guitar by John Kielty - his co-songwriter when he was in The Martians - David belted through original songs from his almost-completed album.  The highlight was beautiful ballad 'Insomnia'. The only reference to his past chart success was a version of his No 1 hit Stop Living The Lie mixed with Del Amitris Nothing Ever Happens. (5 stars)

 REVIEW SUNDAY MAIL 30/07

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

'He shows signs of joining a long tradition of popular singer-songwriters capable of lasting the course.'

Stop Living The Lie:  'The song is catchy, memorable, and the perfect ballad to start what should be a long career for the most thoughtful, talented and appreciative member of the Fame Academy class of 2002.'  

Best Of Order:  '.. a great, stuck-in-yer-head rock pop anthem and probably the best single taken from David's 'Seven Years - Ten Weeks' album.'

**REVIEWS 'SEVEN YEARS TEN WEEKS' - David's debut Album released April 2003

It's a brilliant album, crammed full of mature, guitar-led pop, rock and swooning ballads. My Music

'This is a one man band, a talent hotspot capable of far more than perhaps the record company executives are naturally comfortable with.'

'This debut outing is, surprisingly, a top effort.  When David's not trying to sound like old Take That stars, there are actually some moments of genius here. The exquisite Lazy is an absolute corker and has classic written all over it and David's second single Don't Let Go is a bit of a belter too..'  YAHOO

Sneddon is a performer with honesty, integrity and a fair degree of soul... with infectious piano melodies and an attractively low-key falsetto. Review by Andrew Lynch. Entertainment.com

David's debut album engrosses with stirring emotions and heartfelt lyrics, and takes you on a journey of inspired escapism. If you enjoy heartfelt and personally absorbing songs, this album will take you on a young man's emotional journey with the intense passion and range in his voice, from soothing lower tones to inspiring high notes. The Albums title refers to the 10 weeks on the show. It starts with the rocky opener Best of Order, followed by the soaring Time to Fall Down, and includes both rocky tracks like, Follow Me, and personal ballads such as the Celtic Without You. There are shades of Bon Jovi, the Beatles, Elton in here - producer Steve Lillywhite thought it would work well to have David on piano and Elton's bands backing him. At times the bass is too heavy and rather overshadows David's vocals. Apart from this the album is a very heart-warming collection of songs that take you from busking, All My Life, to the trials on the show, OK, to hope for the future with John Kielty's Long Time Coming. There is also the jazz influenced and relaxing Lazy. It includes David’s two chart topping singles, Stop Living The Lie, and, Dont let Go, both recorded for the album with a rockier and more authentic feel to them. The album made number 5 in the Album charts, and David recorded all his own material, when many pop stars perform covers or co-writes. Highly recommended.

*Seven Years Ten Weeks - Album Review

This debut album tells an autobiographical tale of David’s journey – from playing with bands in smoky local clubs to the challenges of being on the TV show, and finishing with the slow burner Long Time Coming, which showcases David’s wide ranging and expressive vocals. Songs such as ‘Time To Fall Down’, ‘All my Life’ and ‘OK’ tell of the hardships of rejections, the vulnerability and having your hopes and dreams squashed yet again. There are the moving love songs ‘Without You’ and ‘Don’t Let Go.’ You can feel all David’s youthful longing to make something of his life and to be creative. Many of the lyrics are moving and memorable showing his strong ability to empathize and understand and to create clear poignant moments in song. His number one hit ‘Stop Living The Lie’ was the first song we heard from David on the tv show and led on to his winning the show. ‘She died long ago deep down inside, who is going to save her.’ A personal favourite of mine, ‘All my Life’ grips with strong imagery and honesty. ‘Get on your feet and play on and I don’t want to be left here all my life.’ The album starts with the upbeat ‘Best Of Order’ – the compare used to say this about David when he was performing at one of the clubs. I wasn’t sure about this song at first but grew to adore the vocals and feel of it. ’Once upon a time not so long ago, this boy he took to the stage.’ Bluebird; a song that is a step on with the abstract concepts behind it.

While Elton’s band with their 80s style rock doesn’t quite work for me with David’s musical voice and some of the songs lack a coherent overall style - yet when David’s voice does shine through on his hits Stop Living The Lie, Don’t Let Go and Without You it feels like a inspired new talent. David’s piano playing is dynamic and works well with his singing voice. His vocals have an emotional edge that hits the heart with a sensitive sincerity and pathos. This isn’t a perfect album – but it’s one you can get immersed in and that tells an honest story.

-------------------------

David Sneddon is the latest pop star to be thrown up by a reality TV show (in this case, Fame Academy), which for some people will be more than enough reason to hate him instantly. That, however, would be unfair for while he's no Bob Dylan, Sneddon is at least a performer with honesty, integrity and a fair degree of soul. Perhaps it's because, as the title suggests, he's spent the last seven years hauling himself and his guitar around the club circuit - many of these self-penned songs are about his struggles along the way, trying to attract the interest of drunken punters and failing more often than not. His underdog image proves to be quite endearing - and he also shows himself to be a songwriter of some promise, redeeming his pub-rock arrangements with infectious piano melodies and an attractively low-key falsetto. His album is no masterpiece, But compared to the likes of Six, David Sneddon is surely entitled to at least a bit of respect. Review by Andrew Lynch. Entertainment.com

-------------------------

April 2003 sees the release the much anticipated debut album from 'Fame Academy' winner David Sneddon. Entitled 'Seven Days - Ten Weeks', the album was written entirely by David himself and is the product of seven years of song-writing coupled with ten weeks of reality television. To make the album David has enlisted the help of one his biggest musical heroes, Elton John. Also on board was Hugh Padgham (Sting, David Bowie, Genesis), one of the most successful producers in contemporary Britishpop. His input has enhanced the definite and unpredictable rock sound David has created for the album. 'Seven Days - Ten Weeks' showcases David's true talent to the full and is a mixture of guitar-led, up tempo tracks and classic ballads. The album also includes a new version of David's No.1 hit 'Stop Living The Lie', the second biggest selling single of the year so far, and the new single, the filmic ballad 'Don't Let Go'. HMV

------------------------

David Sneddon's assured debut album immediately does it's best to distance itself from its Fame Academy origins and establish David as a serious artist. Poor David has a terrible time with ignorant journalists misunderstanding his talent and what Fame Academy was about, and everywhere from the cutting song lyrics to the album sleeve dedication is David's frustration over this made clear. This is a strong album which has some haunting tracks like 'Lazy' that evoke late 90s indie, to early Robbie efforts like 'OK', though David needs no Guy Chambers pulling the strings from behind the scenes. This is a one man band, a talent hotspot capable of far more than perhaps the record company executives are naturally comfortable with. There's plenty of surprises here, with the anthemic 'Best of Order' launching the album and a version of 'Stop Living The Lie' that's fantastically overly produced compared with the single version we know and love. 'Seven Years - Ten Weeks' is a quiet, confident and assured package that should ensure David continues to prove his critics wrong and establish his presence as a major talent in the music industry. 4 out of a possible 5

---------------------------------

.. Seven Years - Ten Weeks is something of a revelation. , this debut outing is, surprisingly, a top effort.  When David's not trying to sound like old Take That stars, there are actually some moments of genius here. The exquisite Lazy is an absolute corker and has classic written all over it and David's second single Don't Let Go is a bit of a belter too..Snedders has presented us with a well-produced, admittedly old-fashioned album of songs that are sure to be classics. Perhaps Robbie should have a listen to this to see where he went wrong on the disappointing Escapology. YAHOO

----------------------

The easiest job in the world is to knock plucky reality television talent show contestants. Unlike previous success stories from the reality hothouse, this hasn't been whipped up by a gaggle of writers and musicians, then spoon-fed to the performer, this is all Sneddon's own work. The most prolific songwriter from the Academy has written all but one of this promising 12-track collection. 

It all kicks off imaginatively with Best Of Order. ..The heartfelt, mid-range ballad is Sneddon's natural terrain, with a clutch of other examples like the Celtic-tinged Without You showing off his silky piano skills and the pleasant upper range of his vocals. The Glasgow lad shows considerable depth and maturity beyond his years..,. He shows signs of joining a long tradition of popular singer-songwriters capable of lasting the course.  BBC

--------------------------------------

  © 2004 - 2010: davidsneddonfansite.co.uk