Jamie Redfern – “When You Wish Upon a Star”
Jamie Redfern, at the time, was a kid from Liverpool, who essentially rose to fame on the Australian show “Young Talent Time” (equivalent to the Mickey Mouse Club) before leaving the show in 1972 to tour with Liberace, I know his later album features a picture of him and Liberace on the cover. He’s had a pretty lengthy career, and this is his first album – which is also signed.
The album opens with the song “Good Morning Starshine” and we get that late 60’s pop sound before Jamie comes in with his powerful vocals, Jamie for his age really had a mature sound to his voice. What a voice he has. Next up, Jamie slows it down with “Jean” and still, the vocal ability of Jamie Redfern is something to revel in, because he is just such a talented singer with a great voice. “I Thank You” follows next, and we have a song that has a build up as Jamie brings the song up a level with each verse, the chorus comes in and Jamie delivers it beautifully, if you haven’t heard Jamie sing, I’d recommend going on Youtube or something to find his music because you’re going to be impressed. Not entirely fond of that little spoken outro, but the orchestra is good. “Lord’s Prayer” comes next, and it’s another slower song. I feel like Jamie probably could’ve done a gospel pop-style album, it would’ve been pretty good. He does do a little vibration with his vocals, it’s quite interesting, but his high notes really get me. It’s stunning. “Try a Little Kindness” comes next, and it’s a fast paced song again, and Jamie comes in with those vocals again and he delivers this wonderful rendition of this song, and for someone who is only fourteen, he is so sure of his vocal abilities that it is phenomenal. The A-Side closes out with “I Believe” and it’s a slower song, but it doesn’t slow Jamie down – it only gives him the opportunity to once more show his amazing vocal abilities.
The title track, “When You Wish Upon a Star” opens the B-Side, and it makes me ask the question, Did Jamie wish upon a star for his vocal abilities or was he just naturally gifted? It is a slower song, and now as I hear this song I do wonder how he’d deliver “If I Can Dream” – I wonder if he ever recorded that. “I’ve Gotta Be Me” comes next and to hear someone so young, sing such a mature and powerful song is something that needs to be heard. “Mother Machree” comes next, and you’re just not expecting to hear Jamie sing an Irish ballad, but he does, and though it’s slow, it’s beautiful. “Mama” comes next, (no, not the Genesis song – but we wish.) It is another ballad, and it is slower, but the piano accompaniment is a nice touch and accent to Jamie’s vocals. What would a ballad album be without “Over the Rainbow” and I have to say, out of all the versions I’ve heard of this song, it definitely falls into my top five category, Jamie delivers wonderful vocals on such a beautiful song. The album closes out with the song “Little White Cloud That Cried” and once more, we end with a beautifully delivered ballad, and Jamie proves that even at fourteen you can be an amazing gifted singer.
Catalog Number:
None
Credits:
None
Released:
1971
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