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Product Description
Album Description
Great tenors can bloom in strange places but Gardar Thór Cortes is a unique talent from a unique land. His name may sound Spanish but he's from Iceland, where his debut album was the fastest selling release ever (one in two homes own a copy). The timbre of his voice reminds those who know of Pavarotti in his prime - but Luciano was never voted sexiest man in Iceland twice in one year. Cortes was born to sing for music is bred into his bones. One day the tenor from Reykjavik will fulfil his ambition to sing Otello at the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden. But right now he is an undiscovered gem whose debut album is a compelling, entrancing, mixture of ice and fire. Following his recent success on Katherine Jenkins's tour, a success that saw him receiving standing ovations on a nightly basis, it will come as no surprise to Katherine Jenkins's' fans that Katherine has dueted with him on his debut UK album. The duet entitled `Where The Lost Ones Go', has already been described as one of the sexiest duets ever, the chemistry between the two singers was evident when they performed together on stage, this track encapsulates that chemistry and will be a must for all Katherine's fans. Another great voice joins forces with Cortes' spectacular tenor on `Luna' which features the magnificent vocals of Heather Small the former lead singer of the enormously successful M People. Other highlights on the album are `Nessun Dorma' the track that when performed on the Katherine Jenkins tour had the audience clamouring from their seats to applaud the new tenor on the block, Nella Fantasia and a haunting version of the Aha hit `Hunting High and Low'.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
`Cortes' is the second album by Icelandic born (in 1974) tenor Gardar Thor Cortes, although his debut album of two years earlier (also called Cortes, but with a different collection of songs) was released only in his native Iceland. It reached No. 1 in the UK Classical charts (for 2 weeks) and peaked at No. 27 in the UK albums chart after its release in April 2007.
Opening with Nella Fantasia is a safe option, and I think this is a good version, but it's been covered by many singers recently so doesn't tell us much about Cortes. More interesting choices are the cover version of `Hunting High and Low' by Norwegian pop band 'a-ha', and the Mauro Malavasi composition `Romanza' written for Andrea Bocelli who made it into a huge hit and included it on his album of the same name.
Familiar songs return, such as the ever-popular `Granada' by Mexican composer Lara, and the popular song `Where The Lost Ones Go', written by Magnus Rostadmo and Norwegian singer/songwriter Esfen Lind who recorded it as a duet with (again Norwegian) female singer Sissel. This version, for me one of the stand out songs of this album, is a lovely harmony-rich duet with Katherine Jenkins sung in an operatic style which is in striking contrast with another recent duet of the song between Sarah Brightman and Paul Stanley (guitarist/singer of rock band Kiss) on her `Symphony' album. It shows that a great song can be interpreted in different ways to provide equally satisfying results.
The only let down for me was `Nessun Dorma', not for its safe audience-winning inclusion on a debut album, but for the ending during which Cortes seems to falter slightly while the Bratislava Symphony Orchestra, otherwise excellent, lose their way just a little. Never mind, he can always have another go (like others have) on a future album.
The variety of music, well performed on the whole, make this an entertaining album.
Opening with Nella Fantasia is a safe option, and I think this is a good version, but it's been covered by many singers recently so doesn't tell us much about Cortes. More interesting choices are the cover version of `Hunting High and Low' by Norwegian pop band 'a-ha', and the Mauro Malavasi composition `Romanza' written for Andrea Bocelli who made it into a huge hit and included it on his album of the same name.
Familiar songs return, such as the ever-popular `Granada' by Mexican composer Lara, and the popular song `Where The Lost Ones Go', written by Magnus Rostadmo and Norwegian singer/songwriter Esfen Lind who recorded it as a duet with (again Norwegian) female singer Sissel. This version, for me one of the stand out songs of this album, is a lovely harmony-rich duet with Katherine Jenkins sung in an operatic style which is in striking contrast with another recent duet of the song between Sarah Brightman and Paul Stanley (guitarist/singer of rock band Kiss) on her `Symphony' album. It shows that a great song can be interpreted in different ways to provide equally satisfying results.
The only let down for me was `Nessun Dorma', not for its safe audience-winning inclusion on a debut album, but for the ending during which Cortes seems to falter slightly while the Bratislava Symphony Orchestra, otherwise excellent, lose their way just a little. Never mind, he can always have another go (like others have) on a future album.
The variety of music, well performed on the whole, make this an entertaining album.
2 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
gudar Thor Cortes (his full name) has a wonderful rich voice. this album showcases that voice to the max. All the songs are great, but I particularly enjoyed 'hunting high and low'. A major star in the making. His duet with Heather small is also wonderful.
2 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I love Cortes voice. The maturity and depth for someone so young is amazing. Agreeing with other reviews, not the best song choices - typical tenor first album. I hope that this gentleman has a fantastic career.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
On Par with mario
Good voice and nice songs to sing. Ryan Dan is much better and would appeal to people not into opera. Cortes however would suit those already into opera
Published 19 months ago by S. Rehal
Cortes, today a favourite singer - before 20 years, a children-star!
Hello from Germany,
I know Gardar Thor Cortes (his hole name) since 1987. He was a star in a german christmas-serie here on television, the name: "Nonni and Manni". Read more
I know Gardar Thor Cortes (his hole name) since 1987. He was a star in a german christmas-serie here on television, the name: "Nonni and Manni". Read more
Published on 12 Jan 2010 by M. Borisek
Yet another great c.d. for a relaxing evening
This guy is one of the best vocalists I have heard for a long time.
Published on 7 May 2009 by Hoyt Brecker
the man has talent
this album is worth buying. cortes sing nella fantasia wonderfully.
he will not dissapoint.
he will not dissapoint.
Published on 19 Dec 2007 by S. Mccully
Amazing talent
This is a great album and I disagree that " Luna" doesn`t work.
I cannot fault this album. The mix of songs is great and " Caruso" is without doubt the best tenor singing i... Read more
I cannot fault this album. The mix of songs is great and " Caruso" is without doubt the best tenor singing i... Read more
Published on 8 Aug 2007 by Dr. Michael S. Burdon
cortes
Picked this CD up as a recommendation from amazon. What an amazing voice this guy has! The duet with Kathryn Jenkins is particularly good but not sure why the Granada track was... Read more
Published on 27 Jun 2007 by Mrs. J. Fagan
A brilliant singer let down by bad song choices
I have had the honour to listen to this man live on the Katherine Jenkins Tour and actually I will get to hear him this weekend along with Hayley Westernra. Read more
Published on 6 Jun 2007 by Jonah
A musical feast
I have played this album many times since I bought it and enjoy it more each time. some songs were unfamiliar but it becomes like melodies I know. Read more
Published on 6 May 2007 by E. Rose
BRILLIANT!!!!
This guy is incredible! And what a voice. Saw him on tour with Katherine Jenkins and he got a well deserved standing ovation for his superb rendition of Nessun Dorma. Read more
Published on 16 April 2007 by Max
Brilliant !
Absolutely outstanding talent ! I saw him with Katherine Jenkins on her recent tour and he stole the show ! Read more
Published on 8 Mar 2007 by Mike Hunt
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