Music
Leon Jackson: 'Right Now'
Released on Monday, Oct 20 2008
Published Tuesday, Oct 21 2008, 11:07 BST | By Nick Levine | 47 comments
Then again, even Jackson's staunchest supporters can't have been thrilled by 'Don't Call This Love', a pleasant but nondescript ballad that anyone from Cliff Richard to Ronan Keating could have sung - joke or no joke, at least 'The Winner's Song' has that key change. Sadly, everything that makes Jackson's single such a damp squib is repeated across his debut album, an unadventurous, largely characterless record that's suffocated by an excess of gloopy strings.
Jackson doesn't do a bad job, wrapping his warm, smooth vocals around a succession of beige ballads, classics that are too old for him (Leon Russell's 'A Song For You', Dorothy Moore's 'Misty Blue', Ray Charles's 'You Don't Know Me') and the odd uptempo big band number. But other than sounding surprisingly manly for a slight 19-year-old and singing in a Scottish accent for the first time on the album's penultimate track, he doesn't make much of an impression. He's rarely asked to test his range and there are few glimmers of personality across Right Now's 50 minutes.
There are a couple of decent moments - 'Creative' swings pretty nicely in a Bublé-esque fashion, 'Could Do Better' comes close to sounding sexy - but ultimately Right Now is closer to Steve Brookstein's Heart And Soul than Leona Lewis's Spirit. It's an album that features almost as many covers as originals, where the covers are competent but uninspired and the originals aren't very memorable. And the singer? Well, he doesn't do enough to suggest he's here for the long haul.
> Click here to read our recent interview with Leon Jackson
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Don't listen to any critics Leon. You are out of this world. Your voice is your ticket to the long haul. I cannot get enough of it. Go pop or anything edgy. Can't wait to hear the new CD. Come to Austin where the cool music is.
I've listened to Right Now all Summer and I think it's a great first album for Leon. I never tire of listening to it and he has great potential as long as he keeps his self believe.
Those that are interested, Leon is making a change of musical direction (Nutini, Mraz). He sung here last Saturday, see my vids on youtube, see what you think... http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=1E33ED56193E7FC3 or search 65doonhamer
This is from someone in America who's never heard of Leon Jackson until a friend told me who won UK Idol/X Factor last year. He played it for me and I love the album. It's actually better than Buble's first album (which had 99% covers). It is also much better than Leona's album which I hated especially that "Bleeding Love" single which is one of my hated songs of all time. No melody, real crappy lyrics, very generic. I have listened to "Right Now" several times already and it doesn't get old. 1st single should have been "Creative", then "Stargazing", then "Could Do Better". Too bad Simon didn't market Leon in the US. He should have appeared in American Idol to promote the album but they never gave him the chance and instead he gave Leona Lewis who may be a better singer but she makes crap music. The reviewer is quite harsh in his critique of the album and may in fact be a Leon hater just like most of the posters here who gave this album a 1 star and only because they wanted Rhydian to win and they never even listend to this album. Get over it he lost! He's campy and cheezy! Only grandmas and flamboyantly gay guys listen to his crappy album (and cheezy people).
I'm not going to go on and on about how much I hate this guy but he cannot sing and the only reason why he won the X Faxtor is because he cried all the time and get the sympathy vote. He's already been dropped by his label in less than year - that's even worse than Steve Brookstein!
I think Leon's album Right Now is very good. He has a good voice and is especially good at the Michael Buble type numbers. I think he has great potential as a singer and I hope his career goes from strength to strength. The only negative comment I would make is that his personality does not always come over well on T.V. If he could get that right I think he deserves to have a great future.
If you haven't even got it, what is the point of reviewing. I didn't like leon on x factor. Yet this album is shear quality. He hasn't got as good a voice as Leona, but his album is better. Just try it and you will see. As for the main review, what a load of coddswallop. You have no taste for good music. THis is a mega surprise album, going on simons backing (or not)! Just listen, you will be in for a shock.
I Was Given Leons Right Now album for Christmas and i love it. I cant stop playing it. I also got Leona Lewis but have only played it once, she a great singer but Leons album is much more up beat and sentimental its got it all. Well done Leon
I think this album is amazing!!!!! Truly under rated!!!! Even for all those haters who have dubbed the album "bland" and "awful", you cant deny the song Creative wont get you tapping your feet. I will admit that Dont call this love should not have been released as his 1st single but still its catchy and a nice song. Really glad creative is being realesed!!! Buy it, you wont be dissapointed!!!!!
I absoutly love leons album, amazing! Theres not one song on there that i dont like, there all excellent!
Wonderful album in every way, if Radio could only just give this guy airplay, then everyone would know what a wonderful album it is.
The album RIGHT NOW is the most underrated album of the year 2008. The review of the album Right Now, I thought that it was not given a constructive review. The review was more personal thought rather than professionally done. It's unfair to the credibility of the singer. I thought this album should had gone to no. 1 in the chart.
Originally came from the Far East Asia (Holiday for 6 months). Bought Leon's album by curiosity. Leon from Britain not from America was singing vocal jazz, big band and pop. I actually thought was incredible. Most of our import music are American. I actually thought that the critique was pretty harsh. I thought his debut album should be highly recognise as good as Michael Buble. Some critique says, it's boring but I call this real music. Simple, pure and ultimately sounding sexy too. I am lovin it "RIGHT NOW ALBUM" so I'll give 5 stars. Good bless Leon, hopefully your album will be released in Asia.
Love Leon's album. Bought a copy for my daughter also. Great vocals. I have no favorites as all the songs are fantastic. Wish I could see him live. And no, I'm not some teenager, I'm over 40 and just loving the great vocals of Leon Jackson.
Well, I am 41 and decided to throw caution to the wind and bought Leons album. So glad I did. He has wonderful smooth deep vocals and it's hard to believe he was such an insecure 18yr old last year. Everyone has different taste, and I found myself playing quite a few songs over and over.Well done leon, you are a beautiful singer, and you will only get better - remember its always much easier when you have classical training like that odd welsh boy - you won the competition fair & square and I wish you the very best in your career. 5 stars to you.
he is very good at what he does- swing- if you like that style you will love it. Problem is people thougt X factor was pop and that it isn't He will find his own groove
Utter load of tripe, with no originality or depth of character. To release it a year on when X-Factor has started again so people will remember who he is, is criminal. His performance on X-Factor a few weeks ago was boring and lacklustre, and to think in theory he should be better as he has had a whole year to perfect his vocals. Yet another victim of "sounds OK in studio and AWFUL live" syndrome. Glad that the talent is a lot better this year.
I think it's a quality album, and okay leon hasn't made it as big as leona did in the first year, but i don't care, he's only 19, hes still a teenager, i think overtime and experience he will become better and bigger.
I thought Leon was good but it was obvious he wasn't going to compete against the likes of Leona Lewis. She is amazing . Congrats on winning Leon and i think your album is quite impressive to be honest.
The first song I heard from Leon was Stargazing and immediately fell in love with his voice and the song, so much that I bought ¨Right Now¨ through Ebay. I´m from Argentina and I´m extremely happy with the whole album, it´s GREAT. I´ve never bought anything from Leona´s or Buble´s and I never will I personally dont like them, but I hope to continue hearing new stuff from Leon Jackson.