The Last Rose

The Last Rose is the debut studio album by Laura Wright, the British contemporary classical singer and BBC Radio 2's Young Chorister of the Year Winner 2005. It was released on 25 July 2011 by Decca Records.

The Last Rose
Studio album by
Laura Wright
Released25 July 2011 (2011-07-25)
Recorded2010–2011
GenreClassical, folk
LabelDecca
ProducerAnna Barry
Singles from The Last Rose
  1. "The Last Rose of Summer"
    Released: May 23, 2011
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic[1]

Idea and arrangement

In an interview, Wright said: “These songs have been passed on for generations. I was taught them by my grandmother when I was young but unless we continue that tradition, they will slip into oblivion.” The Last Rose was Laura Wright's way of reviving the folk tradition and continuing to pass down the songs for generations to come. Wright's album includes many classics such as "Scarborough Fair" and "My Bonnie Lies Over The Ocean" alongside basing one track ("Now Sleeps the Crimson Petal") on Alfred Lord Tennyson's poem of the same name. The song is a solo arrangement of Paul Mealor's adaptation of the hymn "Ubi Caritas" which was also performed at the Royal Wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton.

Critical reception

Overall, the album has received mixed reviews, with The Independent's Andy Gill giving the album a poor review,[2] whilst Simon Gage of the Daily Express called the album "really rather lovely stuff".[3]

Track listing
No.TitleLength
1."The Last Rose of Summer"4:33
2."I Know Where I'm Going"3:19
3."Scarborough Fair"3:02
4."Drink to Me Only with Thine Eyes"3:42
5."Blow the Wind Southerly"2:49
6."Now Sleeps the Crimson Petal"3:10
7."O Waly Waly"3:51
8."Skye Boat Song"4:44
9."Down by the Salley Gardens"4:01
10."The Ash Grove"4:31
11."My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean"4:06
12."Lavender's Blue"3:36

Chart performance

The album topped the UK Classical Charts for five weeks from 31 July 2011.[4] The album charted less successfully in the UK Albums Chart, peaking at number twenty four on 6 August 2011.[5] It fell to 67 the following week, then fell to 71 the week after, before falling to 96 in its fourth week. The album then climbed back up to 69, before dropping out of the UK Top 100 completely after five weeks.

Chart (2011) Peak
position
UK Albums Chart 24
UK Classical Chart 1
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See also

References
  1. Jon O'Brien. "Allmusic review". All Media Guide. Retrieved 2012-03-05.
  2. The Independent review
  3. Album review – Laura Wright: The Last Rose (Decca) | Music | Entertainment | Daily Express
  5. Official Charts Company – Laura Wright – The Last Rose


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