Watch Gary Barlow And Sheku Kanneh-Mason Performing ‘Hallelujah’

Gary Barlow performed Leonard Cohen’s beautiful ballad ‘Hallelujah’ with cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason, for Gary’s online series The Crooner Sessions, today. “Well this is a treat,” said Gary Barlow. “Thank you so much to the amazing Sheku Kanneh-Mason for choosing such an incredible song, playing it so beautifully and sharing your talent with us.”

Gary Barlow started The Crooner Sessions in 2020 to keep fans entertained during the first national UK lockdown and the subsequent closure of venues and cancelled events during the coronavirus pandemic. During the series Gary Barlow has performed covers of famous tracks with stars including Rod Stewart, Boy George, Cliff Richard, Robbie Williams and Chris Martin.

Leonard Cohen’s ‘Hallelujah’ has been covered by numerous artists

Leonard Cohen’s original version of ‘Hallelujah’ appeared on his 1984 album Various Positions and has since been covered by numerous artists including Bob Dylan, Jeff Buckley, Bono, and Justin Timberlake. The song was featured in 2001’s original Shrek movie, performed by John Cale, and was re-recorded by Rufus Wainwright for the Shrek soundtrack.

Gary Barlow rose to fame as the lead singer of the band Take That and is one of the UK’s most successful songwriters. He released his fifth studio album, Music Played By Humans, in November 2020 which was his first solo album since 2013’s double platinum Since I Saw You Last and his third solo No. 1 album.

‘Hallelujah’ is featured on Sheku Kanneh-Mason’s album Inspiration

Gary Barlow performed ‘Hallelujah’ with cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason for The Crooner Sessions. After winning the BBC Young Musician competition in 2016 Sheku signed to Decca Classics and performed ‘Hallelujah’ at the BAFTAs, in front of Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, in 2017. He released his Classical BRIT award-winning debut album, Inspiration, which includes an instrumental version of ‘Hallelujah’ in January 2018. Inspiration is a deeply personal collection of pieces which have inspired Sheku Kanneh-Mason during his career.

Sheku Kanneh-Mason made chart history with Inspiration

Sheku Kanneh-Mason made chart history with Inspiration when he became the youngest cellist ever, at 18 years old, to break into the Top 20 UK Official Album Chart. The album entered at No. 18 and peaked at No. 11 following his performance at the Royal Wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in May 2018 which was watched across the world by 2 billion people.

Sheku Kanneh-Mason’s album Inspiration, which includes an instrumental arrangement of ‘Hallelujah’ can be bought here.

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