It's been 15 years since Jason last released a full album of new material. Cast your mind back to 1993... John Major was Prime Minister, Mr Blobby was the Christmas number one, and many Jason fans were still in their school uniforms. So it may not seem like it, but it's been a very long time, and consequently expectations for Jason's comeback album are high. After getting a taster of some brand new tracks on MySpace and during the 2007 tour, the announcement that his record deal with Decca/Universal would result in a 50s & 60s covers album was something of a surprise, but after such a long wait most fans would still be ecstatic if Jason had decided to release a double album of Hungarian folk songs. Thankfully he didn't, but is Let It Be Me really worth the wait? Let's find out...

Let It Be Me
Amanda: The strings kick in, Jason sounds instantly lovely, and surprisingly the opening track is a ballad. It's cosy, relaxing and really sets the mood for the rest of the album.

It's All In The Game
Izzy: This is one of my favourite songs on the album .... I love the harmonies! His voice is husky at times.... love it! A song to sit with the one you love and get all romantic!

Smoke Gets In Your Eyes
Amanda: Another lush ballad with lots of strings and a very raw vocal, almost as if he's there singing it live in your living room. Great to hear 'theatrical Jason' put in an appearance for the really big notes!

Halfway To Paradise
Izzy: What can i say....... absolutely fantastic! Just love Jason singing this! My mum adored Billy in her youth! I've actually played this to my mum for her opinion and she's very impressed! Grew up listening Billy Fury AND he's from Liverpool! Just love it!

Be My Baby
Amanda: Yes it's that one from Dirty Dancing! This song is a true classic, we all love it and Jason completely does it justice. Judging by the response it got when Jason first performed it on stage over the summer, this will be a big hit on the tour and beyond.

Dream Lover
Izzy: Oh this just has to be the best song on the album! I adore this song! Great vocals and a real up tempo song to jig around to! Could listen to this over and over again and would never get tired of it!

Sealed With A Kiss
Amanda: From the moment the harmonica kicks in, you know that this version has been well and truly de-SAWed! Not that there's anything wrong with Jason's 1989 classic of course, but this is stripped back and slightly sexier than the one we all know and love.

Blue Velvet
Izzy: Another song where i think his vocals are particularly strong. Once again its a song a lot of people know. It's also such a dreamy song and very easy listening!

Love Letters
Amanda: Another classic you will probably all know, and such a simple song that you can't really do anything different with it because it's just fine as it is. Jason wisely doesn't tamper with it, and instead gives us a very nice rendition of a song that really suits his voice.

Sea Of Love
Izzy: Wasn't sure of this when I first heard it but it's grown on me! Another dreamy song.... it's all so different to his old stuff but you can sit all night and listen to it just chillin.....

Love Hurts
Amanda: This is really nice! I've never really been a fan of this song before, but this version very quickly had me hooked. Another gorgeous vocal from Jason which really helps to make it work.

Rhythm Of The Rain
Izzy: Fantastic! Love it, love it! The vocals are similar to last time! Can't get the old video out of my mind when I hear him sing this. Not too sure of the organ playing in the middle of it!

If I Only Had Time
Amanda: I don't recall ever hearing this song before, but it's a real grower! A powerful vocal and Jason sings it like he means every word.

Wonderous Place
Izzy: Ohhh this is a bit steamy and sexy this one! His voice is husky at times which I just love! I don't think people give Jason credit sometimes, his voice is just amazing!

Lonesome Town
Amanda: A break from all the strings, this is a lovely acoustic ballad with just a guitar and some interesting backing vocals. If this features in the tour set list it'll work really well.

Dreamboats & Petticoats
Izzy: Woooooooo fantastic! Love this so much! All the caravans and kiss me quicks! He sounds fantastic, he is fantastic! Get me on the waltzers! Such a feel good song! Not enough of this around lately.... Surely a number one hit!

All The Words We Don't Say
Amanda: The other original song on the album manages to follow on nicely from Dreamboats & Petticoats, taking the sound of the era and sounding quite modern at the same time. A mid tempo ballad which is definitely a grower.


The verdict:

Izzy: Overall the album clearly has easy listening all over it! It's romantic and for me I could sit with the one I love in front of an open fire on a cold night... a glass of wine... a thick rug..... Let It Be Me playing in the background and make passionate love all night!!

Amanda: It's undeniably weird hearing any new material from Jason after such a long wait, so a generous 17 track album feels slightly surreal to begin with! There's a lot to take in, and as with any album some songs are instantly likeable while others grow on you after a few listens, but if you're a fan of Jason's voice (which sounds better than ever) and a nice melody then chances are you won't be disappointed. It has the cosy winter ballads and the lively summer tracks, the cheesy and classy moments, and could possibly gain Jason a whole new audience.

And let's face it, we were always going to love it, weren't we?!

Let It Be Me

Released 10th November

Two die-hard fans give their verdict on Jason's new album!