Matthew Crane - Young Maestro

Reviews

On this page you will see a selection of reviews that have been written about Matthew.

Simon Cowell: Quite extraordinary. I was not expecting that. You are a very talented young man. Your voice is very specialised, and without a shadow of doubt you should go through to the next round of the X-Factor bootcamp. But always remember you must be dedicated, work hard and do keep up the classical training, and then a career with longevity will ensue. Keep going and you will get there.

Commenting on Matthew's X-Factor audition

Jools Holland: I very much enjoyed listening to Matthew Crane. He has a remarkable voice for such a young man. Perhaps what we might have imagined a young Caruso would have sounded like. Matthew has great talent and tremendous potential.

Peter Andre: Matthew has an amazing voice and I am sure he will be a big name in the future

Roger Crocker (distinguished graduate of the Royal Academy of Music) gave Matthew a commendation for his performance in the Medway Festival of Music, Speech and Drama.

2005: Your voice shows great promise and the performance significant presence of character. You provide great clarity to the piece of music chosen which is so remarkable for your age. I look forward to your progress in the future.

2007: Matthew has a stunning voice, he gave a magnificent performance, with lots of strength and character in his deliverance of the pieces performed. Wholly engaging, wonderful to hear. I look forward to your voice developing and a broadening of the Repertoire occurring. A voice to be reckoned with.

Valerie Hoppe MBE (who has worked with James Galway and Julian Webber): Matthew sings with such passion, conviction and excellent diction and his voice shows great presence.

Katherine Jenkins: Matthew has a big voice for a small boy and should look to going to the Royal Academy in the future.

Herbie Flowers (Frank Sinatra's lead guitarist): Matthew is destined to be a big star.

Paul Burnham (works with John Malkovich, judged Matthew at Festival for Stars Competition): An amazing voice, great range and control. A warm rich sound, excellent.

Calum Campbell (musical director for West End shows) said: Matthew has a very distinctive voice tackling styles of music that are very demanding and doing them extremely well, unbelievable.

Dexter Olivier-Williams (singer who has worked with Jamelia and Madonna) said: Matthew is a superstar who captivates his audience and commands the stage.

Warren Bacci (vocal coach): Matthew has a great image and presentation, what a talent. Great vibrato, so fantastic it sent shivers down me. Will go far, I was entertained.

Jimmy Hodge (former journalist to the Stage newspaper): Matthew Crane, a new singing sensation, a voice to die for. Young Matthew is keen on the classics but can, with astonishing clarity, put over a song such as 'My Way' with great strength and feeling.

Christine Hubbard (vocal coach): Matthew is one of the most talented students it has ever been my privilege to teach. You have the potential to become famous. You have a voice which is so unique.

Alison Moncrieff-Kelly (from the Royal Academy) Commenting at the Spring Music Festival on 23rd March 2006: Matthew has an exceptional voice and deserved to win the competition.

Nancy Lam (Celebrity Chef from Channel 5 and Sky TV 2005). Matthew sang to her in her restaurant in Battersea and Nancy said: When Matthew is big and famous she wants his first album, autographed of course!

She also gave him a signed cookery book.

Ken Webber (Mayor of Medway): I am sure that with such a powerful voice, as you develop it over the years, we will hear much more of you. Good Luck!

Shane Lynch (Boyzone): I wish I had a voice like you and that I could sing like you. You are very talented and will be very rich and famous one day.

John Turner (Professional singer, voice trainer and musician involved in Opera, Oratorio and musical theatre): Matthew has a suprisingly resonant voice for one so young, an excellent performance. You are really good now but wait until another 10 years time you will surely be up with the great singers of our time.

Darren Pritchard (Runs and owns his own theatre company/school in Wales and also works in London and the USA): Matthew is a boy with a great voice who has superb breath control, and he demonstrates great strength and power and voice control when he sings. He will be a huge star in the future.

Chris Nott (Compere. A very experienced singer who has had several major label record deals with Polydor, Magnet and Charisma records. He has appeared on Stars in their Eyes and Tiswas with Chris Tarrant. He has worked closely with Simon Cowell, Pete Waterman, and Stevie Levine. He currently tours the UK with his live show, The Best Pop/Soul show ever): Matthew is a star and will be a great star in the future. His voice makes him so unique, he deserves a recording deal. I could listen to him all night long.

Christina L Maynard (member of the Swansea Philharmonic Choir and Principal of the Swansea Stage Company teaching drama, vocal coaching and audition techniques): Matthew's voice is extremely mature for a boy of his age with beautiful tones and strength. He sings with passion and excitement, his vocalization and presentation are excellent. I loved the crescendo well done!

Brian Conley (TV Presenter): Matthew Crane is a 13 year old Baritone Opera Singer who is a phenomenal talent and will be a huge star in the future, of that, I am sure.

Christine Bleakley (Co-Presenter - Let Me Entertain You): You blew the audience away on the first show and I am sure you will do it again, you certainly blew me away. I think you are wonderful Matthew.

Garry Bushell (Sunday People Critic): I am pleased Matthew won, you must be so proud of him. Let's hope the BBC give him some more exposure .Good Luck with his career.

Vanessa Feltz: Matthew has a fabulous voice for one so young. I thoroughly enjoyed going to his concert and would do it again.

December 2006 - Fairfield Halls concert

Matthew's performance was outstanding as usual. I am going to write an article on him in my weekly newspaper column in the Daily Express as he deserves recognition for his extraordinary talent.

Katherine Jenkins: I watched Matthew on TV's 'Let Me Entertain You' whilst I was in Spain and could not believe how powerful his voice was at 13 and how it has changed from last year to the strong Baritone he now is. I wish him luck with his singing career and am sure I will meet him again in the future love Katherine xxxxx

Gardar Thor Cortes (tenor opera singer from Iceland) : Matthew is very good and with a voice like that he will have no problem getting into the Royal Academy

Chantelle (Celebrity Big Brother 2006 Winner) : Matthew has an excellent voice. I was very surprised when he sang as he is so young to have such a mature voice.

Danny La Rue: I watched you on the TV and thought you were wonderful. You are a very talented young man. Keep working hard and always remember you cannnot put a price on talent. I hope to see you again soon.

Ben Ofoedu (Vanessa Feltz partner and ex Phats & Small): I came to the Fairfield Halls to hear Matthew sing in December 2006 and could not believe his powerful voice. He is destined to be a big star in the future.

Will Mellor (Actor): When I heard Matthew sing I was gobsmacked! He has such stage presence for one so young and I am sure he will be very well known in the future. Good luck mate!

Scott Robinson (Singer from 5ive): This was not the first time I have heard Matthew sing. I have seen him at a Charity Gig in Essex and on the TV. I am impressed with his vocal ability. He should really be doing more TV and higher profile concerts and venues. He is very different and very talented. Good luck for the future.

Harvey Goldsmith (Concert Promoter): Matthew is a small boy with a big voice. He gave a fantastic performance on the 16th February despite being unwell.

You really are unique, the crowd loved you and you made it a night to be remembered. Thankyou from me (H Goldsmith), Deighton Working Mens Club and the producers of the Channel 4 show.

Angela Prodger (Mayor of Medway): I have seen Matthew perform on numerous occassions. I am very pleased to include him in my charity functions as he has a wonderful voice and is so very talented and yet continues to be the polite and well mannered young man that I know. Keep it up Matthew and well done. I look forward to many more of your performances in the future.

Jo O'Meara (ex S CLub 7): Matthew has a vey big voice and needs to look after it. He is very talented.

Katherine Jenkins: It was a pleasure to see Matthew again. He has changed considerably in appearance since our last meeting and continues to wow the crowds with his vocal talents. Well done Matthew.

Emer McParland: Matthew is very talented and will do very well in the future. I wish him good luck.

Ce Ce Sammy (Vocal coach for Let Me Entertain You and X-Factor): Matthew is very talented and has a very mature voice for his age.

Brian Conley (Presenter Let Me Entertain You): Matthew is a huge talent and continues to wow the audience. A big star of the future.

Joe Johnson (snooker player): I heard Matthew sing at Womersley Park / Katherine Jenkins concert and was astounded by his performance, he is super talented and will be a big star in the future.

Jimmy Cricket: When I met Matthew he appeared to be a shy polite young man with a soft speaking voice. When he sang this powerful voice soared forth, what a surprise! He was very professional and is destined to be a big star in the future. It was a pleasure meeting him.

Simon Lock (Kent Music/Royal Academy): Matthew sang 'Toreador'. This song is very difficult and complex to sing even for a seasoned professional, let alone a boy of fifteen. It was an excellent performance. Matthew's voice contained all the colour, tone and range that you would expect to hear from a professional classical/opera singer. He well deserved to win the Spring Music Festival.

Stephen Mulhern (Presenter): I appeared with Matthew at The Dave Lee Annual Show. Matthew has an unbelievable voice and will be a big star in the future.

Tony Dibben (Capital Radio): I have never heard a voice like Matthews come out of a 15 year old. It's incredible! Matthew is very talented and will be a big name in the music industry.

P H Moriarty (Actor): Matthew has an incredible voice. He wowed the crowd at The Dave Lee Show and he got a standing ovation. He certainly is a very impressive young man with a huge talent. He will do very well in the future.

Shaun Williamson (Actor, ex-Eastenders): Wow that was awesome! You are a very talented young man and surely should get somewhere with a voice and talent like that. I shall be looking out for you in the future.

Jess Conrad (Singer): Matthew is going to be the next big superstar. He has an incredible voice for one so young. I enjoyed his performance immensely.