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37 of 39 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Good just got Better, 8 Nov 2007
Rejoice is the 5th studio album (excluding imports which are largely the same as the UK versions) by Katherine Jenkins. The album stands apart from its predecessors for two reasons: Katherine's new image, and the style of music represented on this latest release.
Firstly the image. Gone is the girl next door look (`Premiere' album cover) to be replaced, thanks to the photographic skills of `Rankin', with an appearance that now does her full justice, as anyone who has seen her live or on TV will probably agree. The cover and sleeve booklet images are in a league above anything seen on her previous albums.
Also, the front cover does show a striking resemblance to Andrea Bocelli's `Sacred Arias' 2002 album, notably with the lack of eye contact and similar smile, and this I think can only be regarded as a compliment to Bocelli. (Incidentally, the 35 x 35cm poster included with the limited edition CD version is from the same photo session as the cover, but this time with eye to camera contact).
Second is the style of music, which is a diversion from that of the previous albums. Until now the song choice has been predominantly classical, opera and traditional mixed with some popular pieces. This time it's completely reversed, with the majority of the album consisting of (relatively) modern popular music, including many songs written specifically for this album.
The new songs such as the title track `Rejoice', `How do you leave the one you love', and `I will Pray For You' are romantic ballads by Steve Mac and Wayne Hector (Westlife, Il Divo, Leona Lewis, Kelly Clarkson songwriters). Other new compositions like `Shout in Silence' and `Viva Tonight' are contributions by Gary Barlow of Take That.
The classics, and of course there should be some, include `Sancta Maria' (Intermezzo from Mascagni's opera Cavelleria Rusticana) and `Be Still My Soul' (Finlandia by Sibelius).
The unusual are `Somewhere' by Leonard Bernstein, `Secret Love' by Sammy Fain for the 1953 film Calamity Jane, and the 1995 Seal hit `Kiss From a Rose'. These are inspired choices which really do add originality and variety to the album.
The surprises are `I (Who Have Nothing)' based on the traditional Italian love song `Uno dei tanti' (One of the Many) made popular by Dame Shirley Bassey, and perhaps not so surprising is the live `Green Green Grass of Home', complete with enthusiastic cheers and wolf whistles from the Millenium Stadium fans. Great stuff to make you smile.
The special, and my favourite of the album, is the heart rending `requiem for a Soldier' which I think reveals Katherine Jenkins at her emotionally deepest and vocally accomplished. This is a special song for a very special album.
Rejoice will no doubt exceed all previous album sales, and deservedly so, for I think it easily surpasses anything Katherine has released so far.
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18 of 20 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
What next for Katherine?, 2 Dec 2007
Even though the new album has generated mixed feelings from many people, I feel that the new album shows the potential for Katherine to move from being a classical crossover artist (though I hate that moniker) to someone that could challenge the so called new "divas". Compared to the U.K's current number 1 album (which I have), Katherine demonsrates more emotion and feeling in a single song than the current No 1 album (2 Dec 07) has in its entirity.
Rejoice shows Katherine's voice off well, though the mix of "pop" and cross-over classical does not always fit well. The mix of songs is understandable considering the demands made on artists to appeal the most listeners possible. Even so, the album is worth every penny and shows the huge potential for Katherine Jenkins as a singing star.
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31 of 36 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
I think Katherine has gone too much in the pop direction now, 16 Nov 2007
After hearing a snippet or two of her forthcoming album, I just felt I had to say that in my humble opinion, Katherine has gone too far in the pop direction with this 5th album. Getting to a 5th album must feel amazing, but perhaps the record company has pushed her too hard to try and appeal to the broader public - I don't think that makes sense. As many will also feel, Katherine is blessed with a rich mezzo voice, which really stirs emotion in her lower range. Applying this sumptuous voice to a more popera or pop-like repertoire seems a mistake to me. Her voice always sounds too low, where as in her previous classical tracks, it fits just fine. I don't know why this is, but it comes accross very strongly.
Katherine is a beautiful, talented girl, with a stunning voice. Let's not cheapen her with an attempt to bring her to the general public - she has a large and loyal fanbase (myself included), but we need to be kept with her based on the musical sound she created for us. Taking her in a pop direction, only serves to isolate the very people that loved her sound to start with. I look forward to Katherines "Viva la Diva" tour, which will be stunning I'm sure. She is just so lovely, and a UK institution, please don't cheapen her any further.
Kelly -Liverpool
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