| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Allmusic |    [1] |
| South London Press | [2] |
| The Times | [3] |
| The Reviews Hub | [4] |
| TeamRock | [5] |
Golden Days is the second album released by the duo Brian May and Kerry Ellis. Their first album together as a duo was Acoustic by Candlelight, which is a live album, although they first worked together on Ellis' second studio album Anthems, which May produced. The album was first released on 7 April 2017 and reached number 27 in the UK Albums Chart.
Release and critical reception
The album was originally to be called Anthems II,[6] named after Ellis' album Anthems, which May produced and wrote or co-wrote five of the songs. It was scheduled to be released in March 2017.[6][7] The release date changed to 7 April 2017 as did the album title to Golden Days[1]
In a press release, May said of the album:
This album is a true collaboration between Kerry and myself. Five years ago, Anthems was the result of me producing an exciting new artist – Kerry Ellis. This new record has both our names on it, and breaks new ground. We produced ourselves together as a team. I feel confident it's the best thing we've ever done and a worthy testament to 13 years of belief. It also happens to feature Britain's most beautiful voice![8]
The album entered the UK Albums Chart on 20 April 2017 and climbed to number 27 and spent just one week on the charts.[9]
Upon its release, Golden Days received mixed reviews from music critics. Nicky Sweetland of the South London Press wrote "This album is another triumph for the team of May and Ellis and is almost guaranteed to be a hit" and gave it five stars.[2] While Helen Jones of The Reviews Hub wrote, "Overall this is a pleasant and easy to listen to album that has a couple of outstanding cover tracks, nice album but not the most memorable".[4]
Track listing
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Love in a Rainbow" | 4:30 | |
| 2. | "Roll with You" |
| 3:54 |
| 3. | "Golden Days" |
| 4:21 |
| 4. | "It's Gonna Be All Right (The Panic Attack Song)" |
| 3:45 |
| 5. | "Amazing Grace" | 2:48 | |
| 6. | "One Voice" | 3:21 | |
| 7. | "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" | 3:33 | |
| 8. | "Born Free" | 3:11 | |
| 9. | "Parisienne Walkways" | 3:43 | |
| 10. | "I Who Have Nothing" | 4:07 | |
| 11. | "The Kissing Me Song" |
| 3:43 |
| 12. | "Story of a Heart" | 4:22 | |
| 13. | "Can't Help Falling in Love" | 3:13 |
Credits and personnel
- Kerry Ellis – lead and backing vocals
- Brian May – Guitar, vocals, keyboards, sitar, gayageum, bass guitar, arrangements
- Neil Fairclough – Bass guitar
- Justin Shirley-Smith – Engineer
- Kris Fredriksson – Engineer
- John Miceli – Drums, Engineer (additional)
- Rufus Taylor – Drums
- Josh Macrae – Engineer (additional)
- Stanislav Barochy – Engineer (additional)
- Jeff Leach – Keyboards (additional)
References
- ^ a b c d e "Kerry Ellis/Brian May – Golden Days". AllMusic review. Retrieved 20 September 2017.
- ^ a b "Album review: "Another triumph for the team of May and Ellis" Golden Days by Brian May and Kerry Ellis". South London Press review. Retrieved 20 September 2017.
- ^ "Pop: Brian May and Kerry Ellis: Golden Days". The Times review. Retrieved 20 September 2017.
- ^ a b "CD Review: Kerry Ellis and Brian May – Golden Days". The Reviews Hub. Retrieved 20 September 2017.
- ^ "Brian May And Kerry Ellis – Golden Days album review". Future plc review. Retrieved 20 September 2017.
- ^ a b "Kerry Ellis and Brian May cancel December tour dates due to illness". WhatsOnStage.com. Retrieved 21 September 2017.
- ^ "Queen legend Brian May and Kerry Ellis to bring new tour to Coventry". Coventry Telegraph. Retrieved 21 September 2017.
- ^ "Brian May and Kerry Ellis to Collaborate on New Album". Playbill. Retrieved 20 September 2017.
- ^ "Brian May and Kerry Ellis". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 19 September 2017.
