View source for Faryl

{{About|the album|the British musician, the album's singer|Faryl Smith}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2020}}
{{Infobox album
| name       = Faryl
| type       = studio
| artist     = [[Faryl Smith]]
| cover      = Faryl album cover.png
| border     = yes
| alt        = An album cover depicting a smiling, brown-haired girl in her early teens on a white background, featuring "FARYL" in bold, red letters.
| released   = 9 March 2009<ref name="Allmusic review"/>
| recorded   = December 2008 – January 2009
| venue      =
| studio     =
| genre      = [[Classical crossover]]<ref name="Allmusic review"/>
| length     =
| label      = [[Universal Classics and Jazz]]
| producer   = Jon Cohen
| prev_title =
| prev_year  =
| next_title = [[Wonderland (Faryl Smith album)|Wonderland]]
| next_year  = 2009
}}

'''''Faryl''''' is the debut album by British [[mezzo-soprano]] [[Faryl Smith]], released on 9 March 2009 by [[Universal Classics and Jazz]]. Smith rose to fame after her appearance on the [[Britain's Got Talent (series 2)|second series]] of ''[[Britain's Got Talent]]'' and signed with Universal after the competition. The album was recorded during December 2008 and January 2009 and features the track "River of Light", a song set to ''[[The Blue Danube]]'' with new lyrics. ''Faryl'' was produced by Jon Cohen, and the backing music was provided by a 60-piece orchestra. As part of the album's promotion, Smith made numerous television and radio appearances and filmed a music video for "River of Light". Around this time, she met with [[Prime Minister of the United Kingdom|then-Prime Minister]] [[Gordon Brown]] at [[10 Downing Street]].

After its release, ''Faryl'' became the fastest-selling classical solo album in British chart history, selling 20,000 copies in the first four days, and a total of 29,200 copies in the first week, more than any other debut album of a classical singer. ''Faryl'' entered the [[UK Albums Chart]] at number 6, rising to number 4 the next week, and was the third album by a ''Britain's Got Talent'' contestant to reach the top ten in Britain. Smith subsequently embarked on a promotional tour in the US to publicise the album, where it reached number 6 on the classical chart.

''Faryl'' was fairly well received by critics, who praised Smith's performances and Cohen's production. However, criticism was directed at the use of the orchestra and at the song choices. As one of the ten best-selling classical albums in the UK in 2009, ''Faryl'' was nominated for a [[Classical BRIT Award]] in the album of the year category but lost to [[Only Men Aloud]]'s ''[[Band of Brothers (Only Men Aloud! album)|Band of Brothers]]''. In 2013, the album was [[Record certification|certified]] gold by the [[British Phonographic Industry]].

==Background==
Smith rose to fame when she, aged 12, competed in the [[Britain's Got Talent (series 2)|second series]] of [[ITV (TV network)|ITV]] talent show ''[[Britain's Got Talent]]''. During the series, she performed "[[Ave Maria (Bach/Gounod)|Ave Maria]]" and a cover of [[Sarah McLachlan]]'s "[[Angel (Sarah McLachlan song)|Angel]]".<ref name="outside">{{cite news |title= Britain's Got Talent: Stunning Faryl misses out on top three|url= http://www.northamptonchron.co.uk/news/Britain39s-Got-Talent-Stunning-Faryl.4139996.jp|publisher= [[Northampton Chronicle & Echo]]|date= 31 May 2008|access-date=8 April 2009 }}</ref> After her initial performance, she received singing lessons from [[Yvie Burnett]], a move criticised by the press.<ref name="secret">{{cite news|last=Gold |first=Laura |url=http://www.sundaymirror.co.uk/news/sunday/2008/05/11/ave-few-lessons-98487-20413646/ |title=Simon Cowell's secret singing lessons for Britain's Got Talent's Faryl Smith |date=12 May 2008 |access-date=31 May 2008 |work=[[Daily Mirror]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080604003802/http://www.sundaymirror.co.uk/news/sunday/2008/05/11/ave-few-lessons-98487-20413646/ |archive-date=4 June 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Although she was at one point the favourite to win,<ref name="Allmusic"/> she finished outside the top three in the live final.<ref name="outside"/> During the competition, Smith rejected offers of a record deal.<ref name="secret"/>

==Recording==
''Faryl'' was recorded in London during Smith's [[school holiday|Christmas holiday]] during December 2008 and January 2009 and completed on 3 January.<ref>
*{{cite news
 |first=David 
 |last=Jackson 
 |title=Fan Faryl lends Kettering Town her vocal support 
 |url=http://www.northantset.co.uk/news/Fan-Faryl-lends-Kettering-Town.4833367.jp 
 |work=[[Northamptonshire Evening Telegraph]] 
 |date=30 December 2008 
 |access-date=30 December 2008 
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080604003802/http://www.northantset.co.uk/news/Fan-Faryl-lends-Kettering-Town.4833367.jp 
 |archive-date=4 June 2008
 |url-status=dead
}}
*{{cite news
 |first=Kevin 
 |last=Garside 
 |title=Kettering conjure more FA Cup magic 
 |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/facup/4109408/Kettering-conjure-more-FA-Cup-magic.html 
 |work=[[The Daily Telegraph]] 
 |date=5 January 2009 
 |access-date=5 January 2009 
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080604003802/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/facup/4109408/Kettering-conjure-more-FA-Cup-magic.html 
 |archive-date=4 June 2008
 |url-status=dead
}}</ref> It features a 60-piece orchestra,<ref name=Red/> which was recorded at [[Air Studios]], in London.<ref name="Independent interview">{{cite news|first=Stephen |last=Armstrong |title=Faryl Smith: 'My mum won't let me get big headed' |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/family/4992109/Faryl-Smith-My-mum-wont-let-me-get-big-headed.html |work=[[The Independent]] |date=14 March 2009 |access-date=15 March 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080604003802/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/family/4992109/Faryl-Smith-My-mum-wont-let-me-get-big-headed.html |archive-date=4 June 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The album includes the song "River of Light". The track is a recording of ''[[The Blue Danube]]'', a waltz composed by [[Johann Strauss II]], with new lyrics. Smith talked about "River of Light" to the press, saying that ''The Blue Danube'' "now has words put to it. I like it because it's different. Everyone knows the tune and everybody has got high hopes for it."<ref>{{cite news|first=Beverley|last=Lyons|title=She'll go Faryl|work=[[Daily Record (Scotland)|Daily Record]]|date=3 March 2009|page=6}}</ref> Smith said that her favourite song on the album was her version of the Welsh hymn "[[Calon Lân]]".<ref>{{cite news
 |first=Darren 
 |last=Devine 
 |title=How Calon Lân helped Faryl to stardom 
 |url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/2009/03/03/how-calon-l-n-helped-faryl-to-stardom-91466-23047987/ 
 |publisher=[[Western Mail (Wales)|Western Mail]] 
 |date=3 March 2009 
 |access-date=3 March 2009 
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080604003802/http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/2009/03/03/how-calon-l-n-helped-faryl-to-stardom-91466-23047987/ 
 |archive-date=4 June 2008
 |url-status=dead
}}</ref> Other songs include Smith's version of "[[Amazing Grace]]", a cover of "[[Annie's Song]]" by [[John Denver]], and a version of "[[The Way Old Friends Do]]", rewritten for Smith by [[Björn Ulvaeus]]. Smith spoke about the song, saying "It was about divorce ... They didn't think it was appropriate for me to sing about that, so Björn changed the lyrics so it's about friendship."<ref name=Foster>{{cite news|first= Patrick|last= Foster|title=Teenage singer Faryl Smith takes on U2 with launch of debut album|url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article5877671.ece|work=[[The Times]]|date=10 March 2009|access-date=10 March 2009}}{{dead link|date=September 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> The album was produced by Jon Cohen, who has previously worked with artists including the [[Operababes]] and [[Vanessa Mae]].<ref name=Allmusic>{{cite web|first=Jon|last=O'Brien|title=Faryl Smith|url={{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p1109783/biography|pure_url=yes}}|publisher= [[AllMusic]]|access-date=8 April 2009}}</ref>

Universal had received the first shipment of ''Faryl'', but due to a [[record press|pressing]] error, though they looked like Smith's albums, they actually contained the music of [[The Fall (band)|The Fall]]'s album ''[[Imperial Wax Solvent]]''. The mix-up received attention from the international press, including an article in Canadian magazine ''[[Exclaim!]]''.<ref>{{cite news
 |first=Brock 
 |last=Thiessen 
 |title=Universal mistakenly presses the Fall album instead of teen ''Got Talent'' winner 
 |url=http://exclaim.ca/News/universal_mistakenly_presses_fall_album_instead_of_teen_got_talent_winner 
 |work=[[Exclaim!]] 
 |date=3 March 2009 
 |access-date=14 January 2012 
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080604003802/http://exclaim.ca/News/universal_mistakenly_presses_fall_album_instead_of_teen_got_talent_winner 
 |archive-date=4 June 2008
 |url-status=dead
}}</ref>

==Promotion==
Promotion began in January, with performances by Smith at the [[Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, London|Mandarin Oriental Hotel]] and appearances at the debut of the [[Oliver!#2009 London revival|''Oliver!'' 2009 revival]].<ref name=Red>{{cite news
 |first=Monique 
 |last=Cleaver 
 |title=Singer Faryl gets used to red carpet 
 |url=http://www.northantset.co.uk/news/Singer-Faryl-gets-used-to.4891728.jp 
 |work=[[Northamptonshire Evening Telegraph]] 
 |date=20 January 2009 
 |access-date=20 January 2009 
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080604003802/http://www.northantset.co.uk/news/Singer-Faryl-gets-used-to.4891728.jp 
 |archive-date=4 June 2008
 |url-status=dead
}}</ref> Smith also took part in a photoshoot for publicity and cover photos.<ref name=Red/>  A television advert and music video for "River of Light" were recorded to further publicise the release, and Smith also appeared on the cover of April's ''[[Classic FM Magazine]]''.<ref>{{cite news|first=Richard |last=Marsden |title=Faryl blocked by Posh bodyguards |url=http://www.northantset.co.uk/news/local/faryl-blocked-by-posh-bodyguards-1-731859 |work=Northamptonshire Evening Telegraph |date=5 May 2009 |access-date=17 May 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080604003802/http://www.northantset.co.uk/news/local/faryl-blocked-by-posh-bodyguards-1-731859 |archive-date=4 June 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Further promotion in the weeks leading up to the release of ''Faryl'' included Smith appearing on ''[[Loose Women]]'', ''[[The Paul O'Grady Show]]'', [[BBC Radio 4]], [[BBC Radio 5 Live]], and ''[[BBC Breakfast]]''.<ref name="Loose Women">{{cite news
 |title=Singer Faryl to appear on Loose Women 
 |url=http://www.northamptonchron.co.uk/news/Singer-Faryl-to-appear-on.5027628.jp 
 |publisher=[[Northampton Chronicle & Echo]] 
 |date=2 March 2009 
 |access-date=2 March 2009 
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080604003802/http://www.northamptonchron.co.uk/news/Singer-Faryl-to-appear-on.5027628.jp 
 |archive-date=4 June 2008
 |url-status=dead
}}</ref> She also appeared at the [[Children's Champion Awards]] and met then-[[Prime Minister of the United Kingdom|Prime Minister]] [[Gordon Brown]] at [[10 Downing Street]].<ref name="Morgan"/><ref name="Living the Dream"/> On the day of the release, there was an album signing in Smith's hometown of [[Kettering]], at the [[HMV]] branch.<ref name="Foster"/> Smith said "I definitely want to be at home for the launch. I want to be surrounded by my friends and family because, obviously, it's a big deal for me."<ref name="Living the Dream">{{cite news
 |title=Teen star Faryl Smith is living the dream 
 |url=http://www.northantset.co.uk/news/local/teen-star-faryl-smith-is-living-the-dream-1-727632 
 |work=[[Northamptonshire Evening Telegraph]] 
 |date=4 March 2009 
 |access-date=4 March 2009 
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120406130050/http://www.northantset.co.uk/news/local/teen-star-faryl-smith-is-living-the-dream-1-727632
 |archive-date=6 April 2012
 |url-status=dead 
}}</ref>

After the UK release, Dickon Stainer, head of Universal Classics and Jazz, spoke of plans to publicise ''Faryl'' in the US, saying "America is going to be key. Because of her history on the talent show there's already a great deal of interest in her. The demand is intense."<ref name=Foster/> In April 2009, Smith travelled to Los Angeles to begin her promotion of ''Faryl'' in the US, including an appearance on ''[[The Ellen DeGeneres Show]]''.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://metro.co.uk/2009/04/27/faryl-smith-on-ellen-degeneres-show-60214/|title=Faryl Smith on Ellen DeGeneres show|date=27 April 2009|newspaper=Metro News}}</ref> ''Faryl'' was released in the US on 5 May. Smith said before the release that she did not expect it to sell as well as it did in the UK. She said that "in the US it's a lot harder because I'm not as well-known. In the UK, a lot of people obviously watched 'Britain's Got Talent' and stuff, and that was like fresh in everyone's minds."<ref>{{cite news
 |title=Faryl hopes for US success 
 |url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Faryl+hopes+for+US+success.-a0202434746 
 |publisher=[[TheFreeLibrary.com]] 
 |agency=[[ITN]] 
 |date=3 May 2009 
 |access-date=3 May 2009 
 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120913143755/http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Faryl+hopes+for+US+success.-a0202434746
 |archive-date=13 September 2012
 |url-status=dead
}}</ref> After the release, she was more optimistic, saying "[w]hen I performed in New York, it reminded me of the HMV signing in Kettering and there was quite a big queue so I think my album was well received."<ref name="up for the cup">{{cite news|title=Faryl's up for the cup |url=http://www.northantset.co.uk/news/Faryl39s-up-for-the-cup.5260387.jp |work=[[Northamptonshire Evening Telegraph]] |date=13 May 2009 |access-date=17 May 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080604003802/http://www.northantset.co.uk/news/Faryl39s-up-for-the-cup.5260387.jp |archive-date=4 June 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Smith returned from the US in early May.<ref name="up for the cup"/> Despite the contrary being said when she performed on [[Britain's Got Talent (series 3)|the third series of ''Britain's Got Talent'']], Smith had no plans for a concert tour in 2009; she was quoted as saying that "I'm too young and don't think I would be able to do a tour on my own".<ref name=nets>{{cite news|first=Becky |last=Inman |title=Faryl nets 90,000 fans at cup final |url=http://www.northantset.co.uk/news/Faryl-nets-90000-fans-at.5320516.jp |work=Northamptonshire Evening Telegraph |date=1 June 2009 |access-date=13 July 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080604003802/http://www.northantset.co.uk/news/Faryl-nets-90000-fans-at.5320516.jp |archive-date=4 June 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref> However, she did plan to return to the US during her summer holidays to again promote ''Faryl''. She said that "everyone in America was really nice and they do like classical music, but it is so difficult to make it over there ... They seem to like their own singers, but I will just keep trying my best".<ref name="nets"/> However, she instead took a short break from her music career in summer, before returning to the recording studio later in the year for ''[[Wonderland (Faryl Smith album)|Wonderland]]'', her second album, which was released in November.<ref>
*{{cite news|first=Monique |last=Cleaver |title=A year singer Faryl won't forget |url=http://www.northantset.co.uk/news/local/a-year-singer-faryl-won-t-forget-1-735574 |work=Northamptonshire Evening Telegraph |date=23 July 2009 |access-date=23 July 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080604003802/http://www.northantset.co.uk/news/local/a-year-singer-faryl-won-t-forget-1-735574 |archive-date=4 June 2008 |url-status=dead}}
*{{cite news
 |title=Faryl Smith to release Christmas album 
 |newspaper=Northamptonshire Evening Telegraph 
 |date=26 September 2009 
 |url=http://www.northantset.co.uk/news/Faryl-Smith-to-release-Christmas.5680978.jp 
 |access-date=15 September 2011 
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080604003802/http://www.northantset.co.uk/news/Faryl-Smith-to-release-Christmas.5680978.jp 
 |archive-date=4 June 2008
 |url-status=dead
}}</ref>

==Reception==
{{Album ratings
| rev1      = ''[[The Times]]''
| rev1score = {{rating|3|5}}<ref name="Times review">{{cite news|first=Pete |last=Paphides |title=Faryl Smith, Lionel Richie and albums for Mother's Day |url=http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/music/cd_reviews/article5896492.ece |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110616202230/http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/music/cd_reviews/article5896492.ece |archive-date=16 June 2011 |work=[[The Times]] |date=13 March 2009 |access-date=25 February 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
| rev2      = ''[[The Observer]]''
| rev2score = {{rating|3|5}}<ref name="Observer review">{{cite news |first= Johnny|last= Davis|title= Pop review: Faryl, Faryl|url= https://www.theguardian.com/music/2009/mar/15/faryl-album-review|work= [[The Observer]]|date= 15 March 2009|access-date=16 April 2009 }}</ref>
| rev3      = [[Allmusic]]
| rev3score = {{rating|3.5|5}}<ref name="Allmusic review">{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/faryl-r1470849/review |publisher=[[AllMusic]] |title=Faryl – Faryl Smith |author=Birchmeier, Jason |access-date=14 January 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080604003802/http://www.allmusic.com/album/faryl-r1470849/review |archive-date=4 June 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
}}
Reviewers were generally impressed by Smith's performances. Pete Paphides, writing for ''[[The Times]]'', said that the songs were performed "with power and restraint",<ref name="Times review"/> while Johnny Davis, writing for ''[[The Observer]]'', said "[y]ou can practically hear Katherine Jenkins weep as Faryl flawlessly executes Amazing Grace".<ref name="Observer review"/> Jason Birchmeier, writing for [[Allmusic]], considered Smith's performance even more noteworthy because of her young age.<ref name="Allmusic review"/> However, though he considered Smith's voice impressive, Malcolm Mackenzie, writing for ''[[The London Paper]]'', asked "will we care when the kid from Kettering loses her precocious appeal?"<ref>{{cite news|first=Malcolm|last= Mackenzie|title=Taylor Swift, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Vetiver, Polly Scattergood, Faryl and Kelly Clarkson|url=http://www.thelondonpaper.com/staying-in/music/taylor-swift-yeah-yeah-yeahs-vetiver-polly-scattergood-faryl-and-kelly-clarkson|publisher=[[The London Paper]]|date=20 March 2009|access-date=16 April 2009}} {{Dead link|date=March 2012|bot=H3llBot}}</ref> Reviewers also responded positively to Cohen's contribution to the album. Paphides claimed that his arrangements "suggest some kind of aesthetic endeavour beyond the basic thing for which they exist",<ref name="Times review"/> while Birchmeier claimed that the album was "produced with fine precision".<ref name="Allmusic review"/>

Reviewers were more critical of the use of the orchestra. Helen Sloan, writing for ''Crackerjack'' (''[[Bristol Evening Post]]'') found that the orchestra rendered "the whole thing a bit bland and [[movie-soundtrack]]",<ref name="Crackerjack">{{cite news|first=Helen|last=Sloan|title=Faryl Smith: Faryl (CD)|url=http://www.crackerjack.co.uk/bristol/review/faryl-smith-faryl-cd/music|work=Crackerjack|date=5 March 2009|access-date=22 March 2009}}{{dead link|date=September 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> and Birchmeier found it to be "a bit overwhelming" by the end of the album.<ref name="Allmusic review"/> Further, he was critical of the inclusion of "Amazing Grace" and "Ave Maria", considering them to be overly predictable song choices. Though he was pleasantly surprised by some of the inclusions (such as "River of Light" and "The Way Old Friends Do"), he concluded that "[i]t's too bad that [Smith] isn't given more creative material to sing. One hopes her next album is more adventurous."<ref name="Allmusic review"/>

Overall, Paphides awarded the album 3 out of a possible 5 stars, and compared it favourably to three other [[Mothering Sunday]] releases, [[Lionel Richie]]'s ''[[Just Go (Lionel Richie album)|Just Go]]'', [[Ronan Keating]]'s ''[[Songs for My Mother]]'' and [[Barry Manilow]]'s ''[[The Greatest Songs of the Eighties]]'', considering it stronger than any of the others.<ref name="Times review"/> Davis also awarded the album 3 out of 5,<ref name="Observer review"/> while Birchmeier was slightly more positive, awarding ''Faryl'' 3.5 out of 5.<ref name="Allmusic review"/>

==Performance==
At the beginning of February, ''Faryl'' was placed at 295 in [[Amazon.co.uk]]'s best-sellers chart and 13 in its easy listening chart,<!-- While the source specifies "early listening", there appears to be no such thing. --> based on pre-orders alone.<ref name="six nations">{{cite news
 |title=Faryl Smith to take centre stage at Six Nations event 
 |url=http://www.northantset.co.uk/news/Faryl-Smith-to-take-centre.4943952.jp 
 |work=Northamptonshire Evening Telegraph 
 |date=4 February 2009 
 |access-date=4 February 2009 
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080604003802/http://www.northantset.co.uk/news/Faryl-Smith-to-take-centre.4943952.jp 
 |archive-date=4 June 2008
 |url-status=dead
}}</ref> A week before its release, the album was in the top-100-selling albums, and was the top-selling opera album.<ref name="Loose Women"/> On the day of the release, based only on presales, the album was at the number 1 spot on the [[UK Albums Chart]].<ref name="Morgan">{{cite news|first=Clive |last=Morgan |title=Interview with Faryl Smith |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/4961297/Interview-with-Faryl-Smith.html |work=[[The Daily Telegraph]] |date=9 March 2009 |access-date=9 March 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080604003802/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/4961297/Interview-with-Faryl-Smith.html |archive-date=4 June 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The album became the fastest-selling classical solo album in Britain, beating [[Hayley Westenra]]'s ''[[Pure (Hayley Westenra album)|Pure]]'', selling 20,000 copies in the first four days.<ref>{{cite news|title=Faryl Smith storms up the charts |url=http://mobile.uk.msn.com/device/ent/article.aspx?cp-documentid=5508046 |publisher=[[MSN]] |agency=[[Press Association]] |date=13 March 2009 |access-date=14 March 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080604003802/http://mobile.uk.msn.com/device/ent/article.aspx?cp-documentid=5508046 |archive-date=4 June 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The first week resulted in sales of 29,200 copies, which is higher than any other debut album of a classical singer.<ref>{{cite news
 |title=Faryl's album boost after singing for England at Twickenham 
 |url=http://www.northamptonchron.co.uk/news/local/faryl-s-album-boost-after-singing-for-england-at-twickenham-1-887169 
 |publisher=[[Northampton Chronicle & Echo]] 
 |date=16 March 2009 
 |access-date=16 March 2009 
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080604003802/http://www.northamptonchron.co.uk/news/local/faryl-s-album-boost-after-singing-for-england-at-twickenham-1-887169 
 |archive-date=4 June 2008
 |url-status=dead
}}</ref> ''Faryl'' officially entered the [[UK Albums Chart]] at number 6,<ref name=ukcharts>{{cite news
 |first=Paul 
 |last=Sexton 
 |title=U2, Comic Relief Top U.K. Charts 
 |url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/269201/u2-comic-relief-top-uk-charts 
 |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] 
 |date=16 March 2009 
 |access-date=16 March 2009 
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100126025043/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/269201/u2-comic-relief-top-uk-charts 
 |archive-date=26 January 2010 
 |url-status=dead
}}</ref> and climbed to number 4 the following week.<ref>{{cite news
 |first=Michael 
 |last=Holden 
 |title=Lady Gaga tops pop charts again 
 |url=http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-britain-charts-idUKTRE52L19220090322
 |work=[[Reuters]] 
 |date=22 March 2009 
 |access-date=22 March 2009 
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080604003802/http://uk.reuters.com/article/2009/03/22/uk-britain-charts-idUKTRE52L19220090322 
 |archive-date=4 June 2008
 |url-status=dead
}}</ref> ''Faryl'' made Smith the third former ''[[Britain's Got Talent]]'' contestant to achieve a top-ten album, after [[Paul Potts]] (with ''[[One Chance (album)|One Chance]]'') and [[Andrew Johnston (singer)|Andrew Johnston]] (with ''[[One Voice (Andrew Johnston album)|One Voice]]'').<ref name=Allmusic/> In the US, ''Faryl'' peaked at 31 on [[Top Heatseekers]] Albums chart, and at 6 on the Classical Albums chart, remaining in the charts for one and 17 weeks respectively.<ref>{{cite magazine
 |url=http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/index.jsp 
 |title=Faryl – Faryl Smith 
 |access-date=5 October 2011 
 |magazine=Billboard 
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080604003802/http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/index.jsp 
 |archive-date=4 June 2008 
 |url-status=dead
}}</ref> By February 2010, over 160,000 copies of ''Faryl'' had been sold,<ref>{{cite news
 |url=http://www.northantstelegraph.co.uk/news/local/faryl-needs-county-support-for-award-1-747448 
 |title=Faryl needs county support for award 
 |newspaper=Northamptonshire Evening Telegraph 
 |author=Cleaver, Monique 
 |date=19 February 2010 
 |access-date=14 January 2012 
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080604003802/http://www.northantstelegraph.co.uk/news/local/faryl-needs-county-support-for-award-1-747448 
 |archive-date=4 June 2008
 |url-status=dead
}}</ref> with over 150,000 of these in the UK.<ref>{{cite news|first=Ryan |last=Pearson |title=Faryl Smith embraces Charlotte Church comparison |url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/entertainment/2009218950_apusmusicfarylsmith.html |newspaper=[[The Seattle Times]] |agency=[[Associated Press]] |date=14 May 2009 |access-date=17 May 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604063602/http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/entertainment/2009218950_apusmusicfarylsmith.html |archive-date=4 June 2011 }}</ref> In July 2013, the [[British Phonographic Industry]] [[Record certification|certified]] the album gold, denoting shipments of over 100,000 units in the United Kingdom.<ref name=ukcert>{{cite web|title=Certified Awards |url=http://www.bpi.co.uk/certified-awards.aspx |publisher=[[British Phonographic Industry|BPI]] |access-date=1 March 2014 |format=''Enter ''Faryl'' in ''Keywords:'' section, select ''Artist'' in ''Search by:'', tick ''Exact match'', and click on ''Search'' '' |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921053353/http://www.bpi.co.uk/certified-awards.aspx |archive-date=21 September 2013}}</ref>

In February 2010, after the release of ''Wonderland'', ''Faryl'' was nominated for a [[Classic Brit Awards|Classical BRIT Award]] in the album category. The category is voted for by the public, and the shortlist comprises the ten best-selling classical albums of the previous year.<ref>{{cite news
 |title=Pope nominated for Classical Brit Award 
 |newspaper=[[The Daily Telegraph]] 
 |date=15 February 2010 
 |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/music-news/7236270/Pope-nominated-for-Classical-Brit-Award.html 
 |access-date=19 September 2010 
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080604003802/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/music-news/7236270/Pope-nominated-for-Classical-Brit-Award.html 
 |archive-date=4 June 2008
 |url-status=dead
}}</ref> ''Faryl'' lost to [[Only Men Aloud]]'s ''[[Band of Brothers (Only Men Aloud! album)|Band of Brothers]]''.<ref>{{cite news
 |title=Male choir beat Pope to Classical Brit Awards title 
 |publisher=[[BBC]] 
 |date=13 May 2010 
 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/10115620 
 |access-date=19 September 2010 
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080604003802/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/10115620 
 |archive-date=4 June 2008
 |url-status=dead
}}</ref> Smith herself was also nominated in the young British classical performer category, becoming the youngest-ever double Classical BRIT nominee.<ref>{{cite news
 |title=Faryl Smith is 'youngest' double Classical Brit nominee 
 |publisher=[[BBC News]] 
 |date=13 April 2010 
 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/arts_and_culture/8616951.stm 
 |access-date=19 September 2010 
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080604003802/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/arts_and_culture/8616951.stm 
 |archive-date=4 June 2008
 |url-status=dead
}}</ref>

==Track listing==
{{tracklist
| headline      =
| total_length  =
| title1        = [[Amazing Grace]]
| note1         =
| music1        = [[John Newton]]
| length1       = 4:04
| title2        = The River of Light
| note2         =
| music2        = [[Johann Strauss II]]
| length2       = 3:44
| title3        = [[Ave Maria (Bach/Gounod)|Ave Maria]]
| note3         =
| music3        = [[Charles Gounod]]
| length3       = 4:18
| title4        = [[Annie's Song]]
| note4         =
| music4        = [[John Denver]]
| length4       = 3:10
| title5        = [[A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square (song)|A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square]]
| note5         =
| music5        = [[Manning Sherwin]]
| length5       = 3:39
| title6        = Mother of God, Here I Stand
| note6         =
| music6        = [[John Tavener]]
| length6       = 2:36
| title7        = [[Oh Shenandoah|Shenandoah]]
| note7         =
| music7        = Traditional
| length7       = 3:35
| title8        = [[Brahms' Lullaby]]
| note8         =
| music8        = [[Johannes Brahms]]
| length8       = 3:30
| title9        = [[Calon Lân]]
| note9         =
| music9        = [[John Hughes (1872–1914)|John Hughes]]
| length9       = 2:56
| title10       = [[How Can I Keep from Singing?]]
| note10        =
| music10       = Traditional
| length10      = 3:26
| title11       = [[Somewhere (song)|Somewhere]]
| note11        =
| music11       = [[Leonard Bernstein]]
| length11      = 3:29
| title12       = [[The Way Old Friends Do]]
| note12        =
| music12       = [[Benny Andersson]]
| length12      = 3:22
| title13       = [[Danny Boy]]
| note13        = bonus track on the Deluxe Edition of the album
| music13       = Traditional
| length13      =
}}

==Personnel==
{{div col|colwidth=30em}}
* Edgar Leslie Bainton – Assistance
* Andy Bradfield – [[Audio mixing (recorded music)|Mixing]]
* Nick Cervonaro – Digital editing
* Paul Chessell – Design
* Barry Clark – Children's choirmaster
* Jon Cohen – [[Guitar]], [[piano]], [[arrangement]], programming and production
* Rupert Coulson – Engineering
* Tony Dunne – [[A&R]]
* Tom Lewis – A&R
* [[The London Session Orchestra]] – Orchestra
* Darren Loveday – Guitar and [[mandolin]]
* Steve Lowe – Engineering
* [[Cliff Masterson]] – Arrangement, [[conducting]] and [[orchestration]]
* Jennie O'Grady – Choir conducting
* Maureen Scott – Vocal coaching
* David Theodore – [[Oboe]]
* Alan Unsworth – Engineering
{{div col end}}

==Charts==
===Chart positions===
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
!scope="col" |Chart
!scope="col" |Peak position
|-
!scope="row" align="left"|[[UK Albums Chart]]
|align="center"|4
|-
!scope="row" align="left"|[[Top Heatseekers|US Top Heatseekers]]
|align="center"|31
|-
!scope="row" align="left"|[[Billboard charts|US Top Classical]]
|align="center"|6
|-
|}

==References==
=== Notes ===
{{Reflist}}

=== General references ===
* {{cite web|title=Faryl – Discography|url=http://www.farylmusic.com/album/|publisher=Faryl Smith's official website|access-date=14 January 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120104094303/http://www.farylmusic.com/album/|archive-date=4 January 2012}}
* {{cite web|title=Faryl – Faryl Smith – Tracks|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/faryl-w188327/tracks|publisher=[[AllMusic]]|access-date=14 January 2012}}
* {{cite web|title=Faryl – Faryl Smith – Credits|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/faryl-w188327/credits|publisher=[[AllMusic]]|access-date=14 January 2012}}

==External links==
* {{YouTube|id=ABDpKdiRbXc|title=River of Light}}

{{featured article}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:2009 debut albums]]
[[Category:Faryl Smith albums]]
[[Category:Universal Classics and Jazz albums]]