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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
For the Stars is the result of a unique collaboration between songwriting legend Elvis Costello and Anne Sofie Von Otter, one of the world's leading mezzo-sopranos. Working with a host of acclaimed musicians, including Abba's Benny Andersson, Costello takes Von Otter out of the concert hall and off the opera stage, and into Stockholm's Atlantis studios, birthplace of Abba's early albums. The outcome is an hour-long disc of 18 perfectly-crafted tracks, including several new numbers penned by Costello as well as songs by the likes of Tom Waits, Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus, and Lennon and McCartney. Throughout, Otter's warm and elegant voice is utterly captivating, adding a new dimension to many familiar songs (I defy anyone not to be touched by her heartbreaking rendition of "Baby Plays Around"). On the handful of tracks where both Otter and Costello sing, her controlled and refined tones contrast with--and complement--his familiar gruffness. Instrumental colour also has a vital role to play--credited instruments include: celeste, Hammond organ, accordion, marimba, flugelhorn, baritone guitar, electric five-string violin and Moog bass. In his liner note, Costello explains that many songs had to be discarded along way, so here's to For the Stars II --Rebecca Agnew
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Sophisticated: That one word summation clarifies this album perfectly. This is a hushed, lush, relaxing collection of songs hand picked by Costello to test the range of the angelic-voiced Von Otter.
Here von Otter wraps her vocal-chords around a number of classic pop songs; from the Beatles mournful epic For No One, to two new arrangements of the legendary Pet Sounds samplers Don’t Talk (put your head on my shoulder) and the ever excellent You Still Believe in Me. Added to this we also have variations on Tom Waits’ Take it with Me and Broken Bicycle as well as two of Costello’s own underrated classics, I want to Vanish and Baby Plays Around.
For the most part, these two very different artists manage to create a mood of relaxing, lyrical beauty that they sustain throughout the hour-long running time... talking us from moments of great sadness to moments of great joy within the confines of a single song. The two Costello covers don’t really work for me personally, being far too familiar with the original arrangements and Costello’s always gruff baritone delivery... but the Elvis penned originals (the title track included) more than make up for this.
Elsewhere, the musicianship of the supporting players adds a strong sonic depth to the haunting delivery of the soprano, with Costello filling in on acoustic guitar, Steve Nieve on piano and organ, Svante Henryson on cello, Jonas Lindgren on violin and, as a real treat, former ABBA legend Benny Andersson on accordion. This is a real mood piece... filled with intelligence and a creative depth rarely found within the mire of modern-day pop.
If you are already a fan of von Otter from her previous operatic releases then you should have a good time with this. Similarly, if you appreciated the wild invention and musical perfectionism of Costello’s previous collaborations with Burt Bacharach and the Brodsky Quartet - or for that matter his more recent studio album North - then this should be an indispensable must...!
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I bought this on the spur of the moment - it seemed an intriguing combination. The mix of Elvis and Sophie, plus the range of music covered, seemed risky. However, some of the best music I have ever bought I knew nothing about beforehand! At first listen I really wasn't sure. After that - I was hooked. It's a beautiful, melodic, melancholic album - ultimately uplifting. Everyone I have played it to has loved it and bought it, even though they wouldn't normally buy 'this sort of album'. Well worth taking the risk of the purchase price - believe me!
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I am a huge Elvis fan (particularly due to his diversity of work!) and also a huge fan of Anne Sophie's (due mainly to her outstanding interpretation of Mahler). This disk is one of the most outstanding I have heard of all time - from the selection of the tunes, to the outstanding and eclectic arranging, to the musicians themselves. I have listened to it over and over and over and always find something more beautiful than the last time...it has captured my soul..and that is all I can say!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
One plus one... more than two
For no one, from The Beatles is an awesome performance. Costellos almost didn't sing, so if you are expecting to hear he you have been told. Read more
Published 22 months ago by Benavent
Exceptional and amazing
In short, this CD is in the top of my top ten list.
The music and the voice melt perfectly. When listening to it, I am easily transported from the listening room to somewhere... Read more
The music and the voice melt perfectly. When listening to it, I am easily transported from the listening room to somewhere... Read more
Published on 5 Feb 2009 by Hemiba
Sublime
I remember watching a South Bank show on the making of this record and was so intrigued that I had to hear the results of this unlikely collaboration. Read more
Published on 20 Dec 2007 by Jl Adcock
Like a dream, or the dream of a dream
Ever woken up knowing that you've had a dream? The storyline has gone, but the feeling is still there. Read more
Published on 22 Feb 2007 by John Williams
Simply my favourite album.
These days I'm happier with songs with good melodies, that are well arranged and well performed. As with a number of the other reviewers of this album I first became aware of it... Read more
Published on 6 Feb 2003 by "royw278"
Extraordinary,wonderful,mature and heartfelt music making
From the first note this is a collaboration of people with great musical abilty and taste but with the ability to make that turn into a musical experience of great emotional... Read more
Published on 17 May 2002 by kevinb@directdialog.com
brave idea but ultimately disappointing
After the initial pleasure of the Abba track featuring Benny, the album quickly waned in its appeal due to the overall weakness in Anne Sofie's voice. Read more
Published on 21 Jun 2001 by Orlando
Fantastic - the best!!
Having seen Sofie van Otter as Ariodante in Paris in August,(a magnificent performenace (despite the fact that it was interrutpted by some ignorant observers), I was further... Read more
Published on 17 Jun 2001
Enchanting
The purity and depth of Anne Sophia von Otter vs the texture and craft of EC makes this one of the most interesting CD's in my collection at this moment - maybe it will remain so!
Published on 14 Jun 2001
Opera It Ain't - Excellent It Certainly Is!
Let's get two things straight: I'm not an Elvis Costello fan (in fact I think his singing is terrible! Read more
Published on 22 April 2001
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