If you think life is moving too fast now, imagine how you'd have felt 150 years ago before the phone, the telly or the car had been invented. As the Victorian industrialists mechanised and urbanised, the pastoral idyls of old England were feeling the pinch and it took a group of young painters to come to its defence.

"This is one of those perfect, easy-listening albums, excellent for relaxing to after a day at work, or serving as background music at a dinner party."

I'm delighted that At The Movies is Marty Whelan's album of the week for RTE Lyric FM. You can listen to the (very fun) interview I did with Marty here.

There are times when only good old-fashioned escapism will do, and this selection of movie tunes, sung with Sinatra-esque flair, will transport you down memory lane and get your serotonin levels soaring. 

Williams has taken care to set his mahogany baritone in high quality arrangements (by Phil Steel, Paul Campbell and Caleb Collins – to whom thanks for some crafty re-harmonisations) and the whole set is sprinkled with obbligati and solos from some of London’s finest...

He has such a beautiful voice – just like black velvet and, although the style is not completely to my liking (jazz-orientated) there is something about his voice that is completely mesmerising.

As a singer, I'm used to being in the spotlight. I'm paid to perform while strangers sit and stare at me. But there is another kind of attention, off stage, that's much less welcome.

A few days ago I was walking around Rome with my boyfriend. We were holding hands. If you're gay, holding hands, the most innocuous display of affection, suddenly becomes a political act. We were not kissing, wearing heels or shouting the words to Dancing Queen at top of our lungs, we were just holding hands.

"This is an eclectic collection, but Williams has found a way to make it all work.  He has a smooth baritone that is easily accessible, and the ability to bring out the best in each song.  A one-word review would be delightful!"

...comparable to productions from big names like Diana Krall, Michael Bublé or Nora Jones.

"This is music to play late at night when you’re alone on the sofa with your love and the lights are low. In our raucous “in your face” age it is a delight to hear more gentle music - great songs elegantly sung with great sincerity but no sentimentality."

"a celebration of great music from a selection of wonderful movies.