Biography
The Emergence of A Side Productions
A Spectacular Year Resumed
In 2003, the 21-year-old Josh Groban's second album "Closer" had become a huge worldwide success. Including the David Foster produced song "You Raise Me Up", the record went straight to #1 on the Billboard chart. Three years later, in November 2006, Groban's third album "Awake" was recorded and ready for release. On "Awake - The Special Edition" two exclusive bonus tracks were included. One of the songs was "Verita", written by A Side Productions together with Richard Page, the songwriter and former lead singer of Mr Mister. In the producer's chair, David Foster.
Richard Page
David Foster
Il Divo's hectic 2006 was coming to a close. Except for a six-month tour to the US, Australia and Europe, the quartet had spent considerable time working on the next album "Siempre". Collaborating intimately with Magnusson/Kreuger since their debut record, Il Divo returned to A Side Productions' studios for new songs.
One of the songs chosen for "Siempre" was John Miles' 1976 classic pop opus "Music". Preceding the recordings of Il Divo's 2006 version, A Side Productions together with John Miles re-arranged the song, adapting it from symphonic rock into a more operatic kind of a style. Miles even wrote two new verses, and finally "Musica" was translated into Italian.
Released in the US on November 21, 2006, and globally a week later, "Siempre" went straight to #1 in 12 countries. Il Divo has to date sold well over 14 million copies across the three albums "Il Divo", "Ancora" and "Siempre".
A Side Productions' successful 2006 ended exactly just like it had begun - on top of the charts. Westlife's "The Love Album", including the duet with Delta Goodrem, came out in the UK on November 20. The album opened at #1.
Mark Feehily and Shane Filan with Delta Goodrem
A Side Productions on the charts 2006 includes:
| Album | Artist | Chart position | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ancora | Il Divo | Billboard Hot 200 #1 | January 31 |
| Shayne Ward | Shayne Ward | UK #1 | April 23 |
| A Thousand … | Clay Aiken | Billboard Hot 200 #2 | September 26 |
| The Love Album | Westlife | UK #1 | November 26 |
| Siempre | Il Divo | UK #2 | December 3 |