All Angels album review

[Natasha]

Ok, so in writing my review I tried not to be too gushing and "oh their amazing" lol, like I usually am! But I do have to say that I absolutely love the disc, and I have to give a million thanks to Uncle Roger for sending it to me!

My general criticism of the album is that on most of the classical tracks, the volume of the girls is not loud enough – or the orchestra is too loud. In the future I would also like to see them sing more crossover material – although with no beats please! That’s one of the things that is so special about them to me and their album, so in that aspect I hope the girls never change! But enough of that, here goes my review!

Songbird: This piece stars out simply with only a piano for accompaniment, and then for the most part consists of solo bits and harmonies between Daisy and Laura, although the chorus features all four voices. At first I didn’t like the idea of not involving all of the girls, but listening to it again and again as I have, I know the decision was perfect. The song showcases simplicity to its finest, and is just plain beautiful.

I have never heard the Eva Cassidy version of the song, and honestly from what I’ve heard from her, I have not been very impressed. And I cannot imagine her ever being able to compare with All Angel’s version, which is truly angelic! It’s definitely my favorite song on the album! i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif

The Flower Duet: The first time I remember hearing this song it was sung by Charlotte Church, and then my teacher suggested that my sister and I sing it, so I had to learn the darn thing! Lol. No it’s quite beautiful, and the girls have done a fine job. But with this song begins a problem I hear almost continually throughout the rest of the album… the voices aren’t loud enough and the orchestra sounds overpowering! It’s beautiful but the girls are the main attraction here and I would prefer to be able to hear more of them. On a brighter note, I love the additional “ah’s” they sang at the end of the piece!

Salva Regina: Another one of my favorites! I’ve loved this particular piece for a very long time, and so its so exciting to hear it sung, and what a beautiful version! The harmonies are just exquisite in it! I realize that I ended all 3 of my last sentences with exclamations, but the song is so beautiful and Melanie’s soaring top adds the final touch. Gorgeous.

Steal Away: Acapella – yay! There’s no better way to show off the girls voices and harmonies! Great song if maybe a tad long. They should definitely keep adding spirituals to their repertoire!

The Windmills of your mind: What a delight to hear this song sung so simply and beautifully, without any overpowering beats and backing voices! I love Becky Taylor, but to me this is how the song should be sung! The volume on the voices could be a little higher, but very good.

Barcarolle: The introduction is beautiful, and the instrumentalists all sound wonderful – but it is simply to long, its an easy enough fix for a live performance though. This song sounds great with 4 voices, because they can sing the “ah” parts as well, which is awesome. Again, lovely.

Silent Night: Beautiful. It reminds me a little of the version Hayley did with Aled Jones. Is that just because they said this group was inspired by the success of Hayley in particular? Lol.

Hosanna: Nice to hear this song with something other than “Ave Maria” sung to it. My only complaint? They don’t sing enough! If they could have sung a few more words we could have heard more of their lovely voices!

Ave Verum: Very pretty. Nice harmonies to, but for some reason it’s not a great favorite of mine.

Angels: Laura is awesome on this song! She certainly has the pipes! I know I’ve heard this song before somewhere, but again I can’t imagine the original artist doing a better job. I would have preferred to hear Laura’s voice in the chorus though. Maybe on the last verse the other girls could have joined her, but this really is Laura’s song and it seems odd to have her drop out in the chorus.

Ave Maria: Ok, my initial though is “Why in the world would someone record this song again?” Their version is lovely, but as my friend Alena has said, I have heard this song to many times to become excited about it. It would have to be majority different to get my attention. Sorry ‘bout that!

Pokarekare Ana: I had this song in my head the whole day! I love Hayley’s version of course, and to me it is the definitive version. (How could Kiri te Kanawa’s version even compare?) But in their own right All Angels have made this song absolutely gorgeous. The harmonies are again exquisite and it’s another one of my favorites. Brilliant.

Angus Dei: This song sounds to choral and you don’t get to hear the unique harmonies of the girls own voices. Its nice, if a little dissonant sounding, but not a great favorite of mine. I would have preferred to have the album end with “Pokarekare Ana” but I’m greedy enough to love any extra song I can get, lol. i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif

In conclusion I would like to say, that this is one of my favorite albums that I own. It’s gorgeous and I’ve already listened to it so many times! The girls have already improved so much, and I can’t wait to see and hear their careers take off, and whatever else they may chose to record in the future!

Hugs everyone - and Uncle especially!

Love,
Your Tashi

[nicola]

I have never heard the Eva Cassidy version of the song, and honestly from what I’ve heard from her, I have not been very impressed. And I cannot imagine her ever being able to compare with All Angel’s version, which is truly angelic! It’s definitely my favorite song on the album!

I suggest you give her version a listen! It's different to the All Angels version, but whenever you feel like you want an emotional rendition of the song, put on Eva.

[jons]

classicgrace said:

I know I’ve heard this song before somewhere, but again I can’t imagine the original artist doing a better job.

jons said:

I have a feeling its her voice on the cover of Robbie’s 'Angels' (I’m glad they chose that and not RudeBox i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif)

Err.. Robbie, Tashi. As in 'Robbie Williams'. Robbie was big in the USA wasn't he, or am I wrong?

[nicola]

Robbie Williams never 'breaked' into America. He tried, but didn't do too well.

I've never understood Robbie Williams myself. 'Angels' is probably the most overrated song, ever. a) Robbie didn't write it at all b) it was given the 'best song of the 20th century' award which is extremely bizarre when you think of all the songs written in the 1900's! That award wasn't even exclusive to pop, it could have been anything.

I don't like Robbie WIlliams, but I do like 'She's the One' (a much better ballad than 'Angels'.) I guess people connect to Angels because of its subject matter. Who knows. I tend not to like covers of it either, just an all round boring song for me.

[Belinda]

Hi Nicola, i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif

Its good that everyones opinions on any song or album are right in their eyes, what you say is right in your opinion,
Covers i have no problems with, It does not matter who sang it before,because if you like it you like it .

And that folks is my opinion i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif

Belinda NZ

[nicola]

I don't mind covers either (a whole album of covers though, will always irritate me). There are some original songs I do not like, then some other artist comes along and makes it a lot better. For example, I really do not like Coldplay, or any of their songs, but when G4 covered 'Yellow' and Cantamus covered 'Fix You' I aboslutely loved them!

Sarah Brightman originated 'Nella Fantasia' but I can't stand her version. Practically every other artist interpreted it much better, or the arrangement is superior.

[grant]

I don’t intend to do a review of this album; I’ll happily leave that to the likes of Tashi, Nicola and Caite (Hi girls!) who obviously know what they are talking about!

I can’t even tell you which are my favourite tracks, as with Hayley, I just love the sound of their voices, which makes every song special in its own way.

The greatest compliment I can pay to Daisy, Melanie, Laura and Charlotte is to say that their album is now one of 4 on my car CD player. All the others are Hayley!!

I would also add that theirs is the only non-Hayley album I’ve bought in quite a long time!!

Look forward to seeing you in concert soon.

Grant

[Richard]

This post has been moved from the 'Classic FM's Most Wanted' thread:-

peter said:

I have to say, the All Angels album is very very well constructed...thought Salva Regina was top notch (maybe its because i love pachelbel's canon...i have 9 different versions). Although Steel Away was a little disappointing though...it was alittle dry. Anyway, great debut album i thought! Hope they will carry on!

[postscript]

grant said:

An on-line store I've not heard of before were advertising on TV last night.

They are www.CDWOW.com

I checked them out and they have All Angels CD at £9.49 with free delivery. That's almost £1 cheaper than Amazon.
[Peter's note, this post was 5th November 2006].
Useful for those who have not yet got it on order!

Grant

This is one of those days. It is the fourth time I have attempted to post today. Nothing wrong with the system, entirely down to my own stupidity of being all fingers and thumbs--it is just one of those days but not helped with my preoccupation on 'The Fron's' 'You Raise Me Up' which I think (at the moment anyway as it is locked on permanent repeat in my headphones) is the best offering on their No1. CD 'Voices of the Valley'.

So, I suppose I am not concentrating properly when I am trying to run a multitude of windows (end of digression (at least this first one, anyway!)--for the moment that is, as it really isn't a digression and certainly not off topic, as you will see!).

I was searching this thread for the comment someone made (perhaps another thread after all) that there is an EU and a UK version of the 'All Angels' album and the EU version has 14 tracks against the UK's 13--very off! I think the fourteenth was 'Silent Night' which I bought anyway when the British Legion 'single' came out, so in fact I won't have lost out.

In that search for that original reference to be certain of my facts, I came across this post of Grant's and clicked on his CDWow connection to find the price now (7th January 2007) is £11.75 :

The reason for a in place of a is that before I found that post I had committed myself to Amazon at £11.95, also with free delivery because with Amazon I have a wish list to add on to any specific order to raise the total sum to meet the free delivery requirement. On this occasion it was Litolff's Concertos Sympathetiques 3 & 4.

So, just an aside on the topic of the detailed pricing post.

As to staying on the specific thread, yesterday I acquired the 'All Angels' single and while liking the single overall, latched myself to 'You've Got a Friend' which I think is the highlight of the single. More importantly, it has reminded me of those lovely voices and girls and so propelled me into getting over my irritation at an EU version having one more track than the UK version and commitment was made this morning.at Amazon. Shortly, I shall therefore be able to hear the whole album for myself, probably many times over, selecting my own momentary preference and then, studying some excellent reviews by others, compare my reaction.

Still on topic and thread, as it is No1 and in 'All Angels' way, my purchase last week, although my one off of the album probably won't make any difference, I did make a song and dance at Virgin Watford to pushing a further store order.and overall that might help push them up this week.

On the Fron, I will just say this. In my posts relating to Hayley in Wales and my tour through Wales I remarked of how magnificent a Welsh choir is and just how superior they are to any other type of choir. Having said that, there are several arrangements on their album which I do not think have been done as well as they might have been. However, there is something about a Welsh male voice choir that is unsurpassable and even a poorer than might have been accompaniment and arrangement cannot dull what is a superb CD.

Seemingly contradictorily, as it is such a contrast, it increases my anxiousness to acquire the 'All Angels' album. I know I will not be disappointed.

Peter S.

[Richard]

Hello Peter!

The extra track on the EU version of 'All Angels' is "Amazing Grace", and it first came to light on the AAI Forum HERE. It appears to be available at iTunes, but I can't find any other references to this track anywhere, so it may be a download only.

Best Wishes,

Richard

[postscript]

That doesn't help, Richard! I'm feeling 'miffed' again!!!!

Peter S

[Richard]

Hello again Peter!

I've found the 14-track album at Virgin Digital HERE.

Note the format is WMA, and if you scroll down it says 'Amazing Grace' is less than two minutes long.

Richard

[postscript]

You are superb, Richard. I'll download that and listen while I wait for the CD I've ordered.
Thank you.
Peter S.

[postscript]

That has now all been done and I am most impressed. In fact, I found it all a very painless introduction to digital music downloads for payment.

I have set up a permanent account with Virgin Digital. However, were anyone else inclined to follow suit, I would advise that if you have pop-up windows disabled (as I do by default) you can temporarily over-ride the disablement simply by holding down the 'Ctrl' key. You need to do this at the moment of download, twice (or keep it held down) to enable the download window and 2nd window to pop-up.

I have written to Virgin, congratulating them on a straight forward first-time procedure barring the issue I have just explained above. I suggested they printed a reminder about this prior to the action happening.

By the by. This applies to IE6. As some people reported problems with IE7, I have resisted downloading it simply due to overload and not having time or the inclination to tolerate any hiccups.

Thank you Richard for introducing me to that link. I recommend the experience to all who, like me, consider handling such things as moving in to a BRAVE NEW WORLD!

However, for the moment, as a first call, I prefer the CD, for all the extra printed detail (who is the soloist, for instance?) and i don't see the need (for me) to acquire an iPod at the moment.
Peter S.

[jons]

Hi Peter,

If you do acquire an Ipod, you will not be able to use it with Virgin Digital. You will need to install Itunes.