On the morning of the release day for her new single 'Break It To My Heart', Katherine Jenkins took the time to talk to us about her new album and much more.
In the final part of our interview with the classic/crossover star (read part one right here), Katherine talks about supporting the troops, her religious beliefs, being in Doctor Who and her upcoming tour.
-On the record, there are songs like 'Ave Maria' which stand out as obviously quite religious. Does that reflect your own beliefs?
Well, I learnt to sing in church. I do have a faith, and that is important to me. I don't go to church often anymore, simply because I'm never in the same place.
I am drawn to that kind of music, because that's the kind of music I sung for 10 years. I didn't choose it simply because it was an 'Ave Maria', I chose it because it was written specially for me by John Brumming. It's very haunting, it's a modern 'Ave Maria'.
-Do you have any other personal favourites on the record?
I love 'Black Is Colour', because it's just, to me, a gorgeous folk song that we try to turn into a Celtic arrangement, almost something off a Braveheart soundtrack.
All the songs on the album, all the genres, are stuff that has got me to where I am today. The religious things, the Welsh hymns. You've got folk songs because of my Celtic background in Wales. There's the classical stuff, because that's where I trained. Musical theatre, which is actually something I loved before I knew about classical music.
Then there's a couple of the pop songs, more the crossover side of what I do now. The albums have always been a mix of different things that, to me, are really who I am.
-Moving to TV, last year you were in the Doctor Who Christmas Special. Is that something you'd like to do more of in the future?
Well, I definitely think I ought to think about it now. I was very nervous when they first approached me, because I hadn't had any experience. It seemed like quite a big gig, and I didn't know if I could actually do it as my first big acting role.
Then I tried, and I'm so glad that I did. Yes, it was uncomfortable and I was incredibly nervous to begin with, but they were amazing. They encouraged me and got me through it.
Now I've done it, I definitely would consider other things. It still has to be the right thing, because I've only just got enough time for all the singing. If it was another acting role with a singing part, that would be perfect.
-Going further back, in 2005 you had the chance to sing with Vera Lynn. How was that whole experience?
Oh, amazing, because she's just so lovely! To see what an inspiration she was and is to the veterans, and she's very supportive of what I do, going out to see the troops. She's just a lovely lady, and I've got a lot of admiration for her.
-You mentioned going out to see the troops. How has that been for you?
Absolutely incredible. I feel they're some of my proudest moments, going out and doing that. I really admire these men and women. I think they're brilliant, I really do. They're some of my best memories, and I hope to be out there again before Christmas.
-Are there any other moments over your career that have left you awestruck?
Oh gosh, there's been loads. If I had to pick the Number One, it would be being somewhere like Iraq for the first time. Gosh, so many moments!
Just being, for example, singing is Tuscany with Andre Boccelli on one side and Placido Domingo on the other. My mum was in the audience and we were looking at each other thinking...how did this happen?
-Looking into the future, you've got your theatre tour in the New Year. What is it about those venues that makes them stand out for you?
I love them. What I could've done with this tour is go back and gone to the arenas again, but I actually really wanted to go back to the theatres and concert halls we have in the UK, because that's really where I started out. I've got great memories of them.
I could've gone and done arenas, and done a big, spectacular thing like on the last album, but I don't feel like that fits this album. This album is more intimate, personal, and so I wanted the music and presentation to reflect that.
-Do you think the intimacy really does help the live show, in that respect?
I think it will on this tour, yes, it really fits the music. I really try to listen to my fans. A lot of people said they loved the arena tour, but some will say "I just like seeing you with an orchestra".
I'm trying to work out what suits the album best, and what people want to hear. So, that's not to say I won't do a big arena tour again, but this is the right thing for now.
-Moving past that tour, do you have any plans set at the moment?
After the theatre tour? It'll be more travelling and promoting the album around the world. That's what my next 18 months will be.
-Best of luck, thanks for taking the time to chat to me.
Thank you, lovely talking to you. Take care.
Daydream is available now from katherinejenkins.co.uk/store/products,daydream-cd-album_58.htm
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