CD Review: Right Here by Shane Filan

I'm a big Westlife fan, I have been since the beginning. Since they split there's been quite a big music gap in my life, and I've been looking for something to fill it with. Thankfully the wonderful Westlife boys have started there own music careers and Shane Filan has just released his second album, 'Right Here'.

I loved Shane's first album, 'You and Me', it was such an easy listening album that you could sing along to and enjoy. When he announced his second album was coming this year, I was really excited and pre ordered a copy for me and my Mum (she's a big Westlife/Shane fan too!). When it turned up in my letter box I popped it straight into my car CD player and listened to it on my way to dance class, and in every car journey since then.

Like his first album, Shane has created a brilliant mix of songs that are so easy to listen to. They're really relaxing and the lyrics are beautiful. His duet with Nadine Coyle is so catchy, but there's so many amazing songs I can't even pick a favourite. This is an album that will be in my car, and on my iPod playlists for a long time to come.

Shane toured with his last album, and it was by far one of the best concerts I've ever been too. I really hope he decides to tour again with this one and if he does I know my Mum and I will be one of the firsts to get tickets.

If you love Westlife or want a nice relaxing CD to enjoy, I definitely recommend you buy this one!

Sarah x

Book Review - My Side of Life

My Side of Life

by Shane Filan

Having been a massive Westlife fan since I was little, when Shane Filan announced his first solo UK tour I had to get tickets. It was one of the best concerts I've ever been to. When he announced his book I had to read it. It was a Christmas present from my Mum, and I've finally finished it. So here's my book review.

I was only 7 or 8 when Westlife started to get noticed, at that point I was never particularly interested in how they got to be famous, and I've never really thought about it since. This book gave a great insight into how the band got to where they are and the difficulties they faced. I never knew about the original band members who were kicked, and how close Shane was to being kicked out. I was really interesting to read and finally understand the history behind a band who'd played a big part in my life.

Compared to other autobiographies I've read, I didn't think this was written as well, but he's a singer not a writer so I'm not going to dwell on that too much. He's given everyone access into his life and thoughts, and I respect him for that. After what he's been through, it was a very brave thing to release.

The book opened my eyes to not only how life was in Westlife, the struggles they faced at different points in their careers, and their relationships with each other, but how the business world was working just before and during the financial crash.

I've studied the economic crisis of 2008/2009 as part of my degree, and I've understood how it happened, the effect etc. But it wasn't until I read this I realised how bad it got for some people. To work hard to get the life you want for your family, and see it all pulled away from you must have been heartbreaking for Shane.

I felt very sorry for the whole family towards the end of the book. They hadn't been stupid and wasted their money away on flash holidays, drugs etc. They'd tried to be sensible and invest but everything came down around them. They lost the castle they'd built in seconds. No one should have to go through that.

At the end of the book Shane talks about his solo career, and how loosing everything actually was good in some ways. It was great to see that despite everything, he's seeing the positives and using his own experiences to build a new career.

A brilliant read if you're a Westlife/Shane fan, but I think it would be interesting to hear from the other boys and compare stories to see what everyone thought of their time together.

Sarah x

100 Happy Days...Day 2

Day 2 - Girlie times with my Mum

My Mum is definitely one of my best friends and the time we spent together is something we both enjoy. Tonight we're having a girls only night at a concert seeing Shane Filan on his debut tour and we both can't wait. Bring it on!