Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
Can Katherine do no wrong?, 24 Oct 2007
Serenade, released in 2006, is the 4th album (excluding imports, which are largely the same as the UK versions) by Katherine Jenkins. Just like her previous albums this too enjoyed huge commercial success, reaching No. 1 in the classical charts, and in its first week of release sold 50,000 copies making it the fastest selling classical CD in the UK.
But these are just sales figures, which reflect only the popularity of an artist, so what of the selection of songs for this release?
The general theme of the last three albums has been retained - a selection of opera, classical, popular and traditional music, and while such diverse range of music will inevitably mean some listeners find something they don't like, it also helps capture a wider audience than, for example, an entire opera-themed album would. Some will say it's a case of playing safe, while others will welcome the opportunity to diversify their musical appreciation.
For me this is easily Katherine Jenkins' most accomplished studio album to date. The opening track is the Bryan Adams massive 1991 hit `(Everything I Do) I Do It For You' and is sung in Italian (with Adam's on acoustic guitar) to great effect. This is so much more suited to her voice and style than some of the choices (for example `I Will Always Love You') on her previous albums.
The modern classics such as `Nella Fantasia' and `Granada' are here, so too the traditional such as `Green Green Grass of Home' and `Lisa Lan' (folk song, Welsh of course), and they are sung with the usual effortless grace we've come to expect from Katherine.
The highlights, and they really are special I think, are the `The Flower Duet', which is sung to brilliant effect with Dame Kiri Te Kanewa, and the dreamy `Canon' by Pachelbel which is expertly transcribed by Simon Franglen for keyboards (which he plays), instruments and vocals. There are actually two vocal lines on this track, one high one low, both by Katherine, and the overdubbing is so carefully recorded that it works to spectacular effect.
For me there's only two minus points with this album, the first being one of the opera choices, `Chanson Boheme' from Bizet's `Carmen', which Katherine seems to struggle with on the `Tra la la' chorus. It's surprising really, for I've seen her sing this piece live and didn't notice any problems, but given her stunning appearance in flamboyant flame-red dress perhaps my concentration lapsed for a moment (!).
My only other issue is (again) the cover photo and enclosed sleeve artwork, which are credited to Bryan Adams. Bryan's a great songwriter, a great guitarist and can take lovely candid photos of Katherine. But world class fashion photographer he's not, and that's what the CD cover needed.
That aside, this is a brilliant album, her best so far I think.
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19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:
Love It!, 8 Dec 2006
Up and until now I have very rarely listened to any classical or operatic singing.
Whenever I have seen Katherine Jenkins on TV I have always appreciated her talent.
After seeing the ads on TV I thought I would give the album a try and wow I just love it. I play it constanstly on loop when I'm in the mood to chill while I work. I love the mix of hits and classical classics! I'll certainly be checking out all her past albums!
Plus got to say it - she is so beautiful!
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51 of 59 people found the following review helpful:
Yet another success, 10 Nov 2006
How to characterise this latest CD by the greatest mezzo-soprano talent that these Isles have produced? And, incidentally, one of the most beautiful - something which, contrary to some commentators, does not detract from her vocal ability! As with her previous albums, Katherine has given us a wide range of musical variety in which to delve. Does it all work?
Quello che faro sara per te - Yes but I don't know the song well (sorry Bryan) and really enjoyed the last little bit in English.
Nella Fantasia - YES, YES, and again YES. Superb. Her rich voice compliments both words and music.
Chanson Boheme - This is more problematic. Kate here is up against some of the greatest mezzo's and the greatest (sorry) dramatic soprano of the 20th Century (yes Callas). There is more of `Carmen' in this than in the Sequidilla of `Second Nature' and the delivery is crisp (difficult in this difficult aria) and concise. Breathing is well controlled but there is the occasional lapse and difficulty. This is, however, a taxing piece of music and if Kate ever does get to `live her dream' and play Carmen on stage I'm sure it will be superbly sung then. (Since I first wrote this I managed to see Katherine performing this on the Llangollen stage (on ITV). She was superb! Better, I think, than on this disc. Mind you, and dare I say it, that such a beautiful and innocent looking young woman will have to, how shall I say, become more `earthier' to make it as Carmen (viz Maria Ewing!).)
The Green, Green Grass of Home - Yes, although I must admit that this is not my favourite song but it is effortlessly and charmingly sung. The male choir adds to the poignancy of the piece.
O mio babbino caro - YES but it sounds like a much more `grown up' young lady! Probably the effect of a mezzo-soprano voice. This is an aria that every soprano sings and I would place Kate's version fairly high in the list of those I own and have heard.
Be My Love - YES. How would Lanza feel about this? Although there are a number of places where the female voice seems to lack the sheer strength to carry the note this is still a tour-de-force. It brought tears to my eyes and the depth of feeling given the song by the singer was very evident. I will play this track a lot.
The Flower Duet - Yes. With Dame Kiri this is a delight.
Pachabel's Canon - OH YES. Katherine can here show the purity of her voice, her control, and her mastering of breathing. The idea of a `duet' works superbly.
Granada - Yes. Again not one of my favourites so I don't know it well but, as ever in these tenor songs Katherine sings, she does a good job and the final high note is pretty good.
Lisa lan - Yes. I'm an Englishman so Welsh songs don't do a lot for me but this seemingly sad song has a wonderful arrangement and is sung impeccably. Would have been nice to have a translation in the booklet.
The Prayer - YES, YES. Superbly sung. I'm not religious but I do enjoy listening to music and songs like this. It is obviously sung with immense feeling.
Dear Lord and Father of Mankind - Of course! I used to sing this (badly) at the top of my voice during morning assembly in those long ago days when such things occurred and I still know the words! So I can happily sing along with this one - and I do but only in the car!
Canto - Yes. Here Katherine shows her range. Both top and bottom are secure in a graceful little song.
Ave maria - This is difficult for me. It was my mother's favourite and Pavarotti's version was played at her funeral so it has considerable emotional overtones for me. I saw Katherine sing this on the Heaven and Earth show and thought it wonderful. There she was accompanied by piano and harp. I'm not sure what she is accompanied by on this disc and the arranger seems to be trying to outdo her voice. Suffice to say that her voice is wonderful and she sings beautifully but the accompaniment destroys the mood for me and I will watch and listen to the abovementioned version far more often. In truth this is the only disappointment on the disc but that isn't Katherine.
So, all in all, good. I think I just prefer `Living a Dream' but there are some things on this disc that should not be missed not least the development of Katherine as an exceptional talent. Having seen her sing on television (I hope to see her live in the New Year) I can't help feeling that she may be one of the few artists who is probably better live than on disc.
One thing about the production. Why no translations in the booklet. I can cope with the Italian but the Welsh! And it would be nice to know the provenance of some of the less well known songs, e.g. Lisa Lan, The Prayer, Il Canto.
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