Claire Richards

[The Arcade Fire]

Figured it was appropriate to open a topic for the debut solo album of Claire Richards which is now confirmed as being an actual thing by Claire. So far information is scarce but it is certainly an anticipated release amongst fans given Steps first split in 2001 and we only have one record from her outside of that, the H & Claire album.

In terms of producers, it looks as if Karl Twigg, who co-produced & co-wrote the likes of "One For Sorrow", "Deeper Shade of Blue" and "Stomp" along with Mark Topham, seems to be the only producer on board to date. It appears there is no major label involvement either. Who would you like to see Claire work with? It seemed initially like she might be looking for covers, but I would hope there are no more than one or two of these on the finished product. She also suggested she was looking for a male artist to duet with.

 

[SBK]

She's only working with Karl for it.

Shes been recording quite a bit, so hopefully it won't be a long wait.

 

[The Arcade Fire]

Yeah I heard that. I feel like she isn't going to wait around too much, she's waited long enough and even though it's stating the obvious, she isn't getting any younger! Even if it sells only 10 copies, I think it would have been a massive disservice to herself had she never actually recorded a solo album. Most people agree she is a brilliant pop vocalist and there is a lot of potential there. Hopefully the sound will be adult without being boring. The last thing I would want to see her do is pandering to the teenagers with Katy Perry fare. I would have liked to see more variety in the production, but I understand why it's happening, and I think if it had to be just one person, he's not a bad person for it to be. I wonder is she accepting submissions for songs. I am currently co-writing for a couple of acts and I have some tracks that would be wonderful for her!

 

[Leopold]

I hope it's a mix of Adele and Disclosure. Please not some cringey, mumsy attempt at cool; just sing Aiden Grimshaw style and surround yourself with young sexy hipsters having fun/falling in love.

Male collab with Dane Bowers (although it seems his public profile is rather tainted in the UK right now?) or Matt Cardle.

 

[SBK]

I think she's making the album she wants to make. I can't imagine her chasing trends.

I'd quite like her to do a new version of One For Sorrow, perhaps not for the album, but maybe a bside/free download/bonus track.

 

[Lander]

I hope it's a mix of Adele and Disclosure. Please not some cringey, mumsy attempt at cool; just sing Aiden Grimshaw style and surround yourself with young sexy hipsters having fun/falling in love.

Male collab with Dane Bowers (although it seems his public profile is rather tainted in the UK right now?) or Matt Cardle.

Wouldn't these be incredibly mumsy duets?

 

[SBK]

I don't think Dane Bowers would be appropriate.

http://www.heatworld.com/Celeb-News...Richards-cheated-on-husband-with-Dane-Bowers/

 

[imnotshy]

That is nice to see she is working with Karl Twigg. Her voice is one of my favorites in music. I think Adult Contemporary would suit her well. I would love a proper amazing power ballad coming from Claire.

 

[Leopold]

Wouldn't these be incredibly mumsy duets?

Well, BBC Radio 2 friendly, but, better than Gary Barlow.

 

[ElectricPlatypus]

I'm glad she's finally going for it.

 

[oliviaxmae]

Well, BBC Radio 2 friendly, but, better than Gary Barlow.

Didn't Light Up The World premiere on Radio 2? I can see this being in a similar vein.

 

[Heretic]

I'm one hundred percent excited for this!

 

[Robsolete]

As much as I love her voice, I have no real excitement for this. Fair play to her if it's what she wants to do but I imagine it's all going to be a bit Jane Mcdonald.

 

[Deleted member 3416]

As much as I love her voice, I have no real excitement for this. Fair play to her if it's what she wants to do but I imagine it's all going to be a bit Jane Mcdonald.

Exactly, I like her voice in Steps but her persona is dull. However if she can pleasantly surprise me that'd be good.

 

[~Paul~]

I've got no idea what it should sound like, but I'm pleased that she's at least going to get a solo album under her belt. Her voice is fabulous and I'll certainly listen with interest, but I've got a sneaking suspicion it'll bore the balls off me.

Here to be proved utterly wrong though.

 

[Sistersandme]

She could do a duet with Michelle McManus.

 

[smellycat]

Almost got to the end of one page without an overweight joke. Sigh.

 

[~Paul~]

She could do a duet with Michelle McManus.

Wow. Really? Was that funny in your head?

 

[The Arcade Fire]

If there's going to be a duet it needs to be more high profile than Matt Bloody Cardle.

I definitely don't think it will a trend record, I just hope it is well-executed and professionally released by at least a decent independent label as opposed to Claire asking her Twitter fans how to put it on iTunes. I do think she's a bit 'beige' personality-wise without the rest of Steps around her but she could appeal to the masses, she's a "nice normal girl" who happens to have a great voice. She just needs great, original songs to showcase it.

 

[Robsolete]

I'm not a fan of Matt Cardle, but I don't think people should turn their noses up at the suggestion. The duet he did with Melanie C did pretty well, and he appeals to the same Radio 2 demographic that Claire will be aiming for. I doubt anyone much more high profile than him would be interested.

The suggestion of getting Gary Barlow is a bit ridiculous. Unfortunately, he's one of the biggest singers in the country, and his last album had a duet with Elton John on it, there's not a chance in hell he'd do a duet with Claire from Steps.