Strictly Come Dancing - Laurie Holloway Orchestra,Miscellaneous Performers Album Review

Album Review

It takes two to Tango - ie the programme makers and the public - and Strictly Come Dancing has certainly captured the public's imagination with this flagship prime-time programme.

Song and danceman Bruce 'Bonus' Forsyth takes the lead on this dance compilation to accompany the highly successful BBC television series. Once again television has proved to be a powerful vehicle. Since the programme began in the spring, there has been an explosion in people attending dance classes across the UK.

In effect, this a new slant on an old favourite Come Dancing. With the added glam of Tess Daly and Natasha Kaplinsky and a host of celebrities like Welsh singer Aled Jones, Countdown's brain-box Carol Vorderman, Olympic athlete Denise Lewis and former That's Life presenter Esther Rantzen all thrown into the mix, as they try their luck at some pretty deft footwork and moves. Just in case you're not familiar with the format, each celeb is given a professional dance partner who will put them through their paces during rigorous daily rehearsals,making sure they're in the best shape possible for the live Saturday night show on BBC 1. They then face being knocked out by a studio and public vote.

Most of the cover versions of well known songs work well, like The Bee Gees' How Deep Is Your Love, the Gypsy Kings' Bamboleo and Norah Jones' Come Away With Me, whilst some are mediocre - Labelle's Lady Marmalade and the Contour's Do You Love Me.

However this is targeted at fans of the show who fancy their chances at home. Forsyth himself clearly loves singing the old standards, particularly Mr.Bojangles, Let's Do It and The Lady Is A Tramp. So come on and join in the fun - shift the sofa, move the tables and chairs and get Quickstepping, Rumbaing or Tangoing. All songs are performed at the correct dance tempo so you could be the next Fred and Ginger!

Elly Roberts