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Post by Natasha on Aug 15, 2005 19:39:05 GMT
THE VOICE
Russell Watson, 38-year-old crossover tenor superstar |
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Post by Natasha on Aug 15, 2005 19:43:39 GMT
I am a very big fan of Russell's thanks to Hayley actually,  . I bought his DVD because Hayley was featured on 3 songs. I really had no clue who he was and I didn't really care either as I wanted to see Hayley. I can remember thinking at first that he was Ricky Martin or at least looked like him, lol. Anyways of course he won me over and he's now my favorite tenor and favorite male artist. One of my biggest ambitions to sing with him. Actually if I had to pick only one male artist ever to duet with it would have to be Russell, he's just so wonderful! Josh and Andrea are great but Russell is better. In fact he makes Josh's version of "Caruso" sounds really pathetic.... So what do you all think of him? Natasha |
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Post by 1littlegirl on Aug 15, 2005 20:11:54 GMT
Oh yes, now we're talkin'. Russell Watson is definitely my favourite tenor of all time. He's got it all. i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gifI have all of his albums: The Voice, Encore (UK version), Reprise (UK & American versions), and Amore Musica (UK). I can't wait for Amore Musica to be released in the US on Sept. 13!! I really hope it has some new songs.  Cathleen P.S. Russell is actually 38!!  He doesn't look like it though.  i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif |
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Post by roger on Aug 16, 2005 16:05:25 GMT
Not surprisingly, I have the DVD but of course I only bought it because of the three songs featuring Hayley. However, I quite like Russell. If I were to list my personal top ten male classical or crossover singers (not necessarily tenors), I think Russell might appear at #4. Would you settle for that Natasha and Cathleen? Roger |
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Post by 1littlegirl on Aug 16, 2005 16:15:38 GMT
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Post by Natasha on Aug 16, 2005 17:06:50 GMT
Thanks for that correction Cathleen! I gues Yahoo had a wrong date of birth, or perhaps it was just really bad math on my part, LOL. Roger, who are numbers #1, #2, and #3?? If Hayley is No.1, well I can excuse that, and Becky No #2, and Holly, Yulia or Katherine #3 I guess it's, OK. But if I find out that Britney's up there, well, well... J/K *Hey Richard thanks, I changed it! lol  |
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Post by Richard on Aug 17, 2005 9:12:08 GMT
Hello Natasha! Did you mean to ask Roger?!!! I think you might be confusing me with the British conductor who has the same surname, Sir Roger Norrington. He's no relation, but people often ask me if he is.  Best Wishes from London, Sir Richard  |
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Post by roger on Aug 17, 2005 18:04:59 GMT
Thanks for that correction Cathleen! I gues Yahoo had a wrong date of birth, or perhaps it was just really bad math on my part, LOL. Roger, who are numbers #1, #2, and #3?? If Hayley is No.1, well I can excuse that, and Becky No #2, and Holly, Yulia or Katherine #3 I guess it's, OK. But if I find out that Britney's up there, well, well... J/K *Hey Richard thanks, I changed it! lol Hi Natasha, The full run down is more or less what you expected but don't worry, it would not include Britney if the list contained 100! (I didn't really say that, did I?) 1. Hayley 2. Becky 3. Yulia 4. Keedie 5. Katherine 6. Holly Numbers 4 to 6 are virtually neck and neck. Further recordings from any of them could change the order but I am sure Hayley will always be #1 for me. Roger |
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Post by Natasha on Aug 19, 2005 18:47:18 GMT
All 6 of those singers are wonderful. My personal favorites though would have to be, Hayley, Becky and Yulia, and as for male singers, Russell Watson and Pernell Roberts.
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Post by fusilier23 on Oct 7, 2005 11:09:00 GMT
Hi all.
I didn't think I'd do this, but after spending hours and hours this week on a brief and finally finishing it, I decided to give myself a little something. Even though it was the day of, there were still tickets available for Russell Watson at the Nokia Theater in NYC.
It was a rough go getting there, since I decided to take the bus in rather than risk getting stuck in traffic and paying $25+ for parking, but the concert was well worth it, and so was meeting the artist afterward.
More later, but I gotta dash...
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Post by Natasha on Oct 7, 2005 14:55:16 GMT
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Post by fusilier23 on Oct 8, 2005 0:00:12 GMT
Oh dear, Natasha, dry those tears. I'm sorry this didn't happen, I should have been more specific in my e-mail that tix were still available.
Well, I'll do my best to give you what I remember and take you there.
I actually did this completely on a whim. I spent most of this week writing a 40+ page brief in a messy contract battle between the City and the Fire Officers Union (who represent captains and battalion chiefs, as opposed to the FMBA, who rep the rank-and-file firemen). With it finished and submitted, and no one else about, I decided to reward myself if there were still tix available, and there were.
So after work I hopped on the bus and headed across the river to the Port Authority. Although there were some dicey moments getting in, I got in in plenty of time to reach the Nokia Theater over by Times Square with ease.
Not that it mattered, alas, the concert didn't start till 8:30 as opposed to 8. The theater is brand new, and apparently there were a few glitches in the sound equipment (grrrr). It is a very low auditorium, with traditional seat only in back. The seats in the orchestra area were actually of the folding, though padded, variety. So I popped back out after staking out my seat and saw they were selling CDs. Since I did not possess either of his later ones, I bought one of each, and was told he would most likely be coming out afterward to do a signing session. OK, I thought, so much the better, assuming it goes forward.
I returned to my seat as the small-scale orchestra, conducted by Clifford Carter at the piano, struck up the prelude, and shortly thereafter the man himself walked out onstage, in black tails and white four-in-hand tie, to loud applause. His first song was the very traditional "Tornar a Sorriento," a moderately paced Italian ballad about the famous town. His voice, back stronger than it was before the surgery, seized everyone's attention, as did his self-conducting and other corny, but crowd-pleasing gestures.
Never one to maintain a formal facade, he greeted the audience before moving into his second song, from his new CD, he noted, another lovely Italian ballad, this one original to him, I think, called "Magia Sara'" (It Will Be Magic), about the magic of love. He finished the first suite of songs with the idealistic "I Believe," a song telling of a better future for this world.
After an orchestral intermezzo, he returned, and stated that one of the highlights of his career so far had been to since for His Holiness Pope John Paul II (may he rest in peace), and this was what he had sung. Although the orchestrations were different and perhaps less translucent than Franck's original ones, he began a warm "Panis Angelicus," which can't miss as it is, but in this case drew many cheers and not a few tears. After that came the Schubert "Ave Maria," and if Hayley's voice is like warm silk thread being spun in this piece, then his is like the strongest of good well-dyed wool.
He then sat, announced he was going to "change the mood" and began the somewhat hackneyed, but well-liked pop ballad "You Are So Beautiful," which, if not to this writer's taste, certainly was still to the taste of many in the audience. Rising, he said he'd finish "my first spot" with a wonderful Mario Lanza song, and gave a soaring, Lanza-esque rendition of "I'll Walk With God." Well done, Russell, Holly would have been proud of you.
After a 20-minute break, the orchestra struck up again, and I was kind of shocked to have a great light shown on me from behind. Turning, there I saw Russel, mike in hand, not four feet from me! He launched into a Julio Iglesias song, which I unfortunately don't know the title of, and proceeded through the seats, singing all the way, to the stage. It was certainly a novel way to grab everyone's attention again.
Once back there, he promised to keep things moving, asked the audience if we minded if he removed his tie, and launched into the somewhat stereotypically Italian (fie on old pizza and pasta commercials!), but still very fun "Funiculi, Funicula," which soon had everyone clapping right along.
After that he needed to slow it down, and gave us the title track of his new album: "Amore Musica." It is certainly a wonderful piece that would not sound out of place in the mouths of Bocelli or Groban, but this one is all Russell.
After a brief break he sang "Music of the Night" in a dramatic manner that would have done the film proud, and probably would have been better than that which was used, then pretended to depart. Not a chance, though, he returned and gave another ballad with the refrain "who wants to live forever?" before moving into the great showstopper "Nessun Dorma," which brought everyone to their feet screaming for more. And more he did give, with a great rendition of the spiritual "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot," and the great uplifting ballad "You Raise Me Up," before saying goodnight and God bless to everyone.
I made a beeline for the signing table, and after a wait of about 20 minutes, Russell walked out, surprisingly from the auditorium, just as he had been on stage, though with the addition of a purple tie. He was among us, shaking hands and touching arms all the way to the table. I guess that's why they call him "the people's tenor." He turned and gave a sign for silence, then thanked everyone for coming out to support him and gave an impromptu "O Sole Mio," just as an added bonus. Then came the signings. I managed to get to him quickly, told him he'd put on a great show, and asked him to sign one of the CDs to Crystal, Natasha's sister, since I knew she wasn't there, but was a big fan. He happily obliged, then surprisingly asked me what my favorite part of the evening was. Taken aback, I gave the answer of "the original pieces, that are all yours." He liked that, I could tell. Shaking his hand, I was on my way back home.
All things considered, the original pieces on his latest album are quite good, although I haven't taken a listen of all of them yet. They are easy to listen to, nicely orchestrated, and have a hint of subtlety often missing from "crossover" original music, which too often just goes for big tunes, rammed home on unison strings. Listening to him sing them, I can say Russell can easily be just like Tony Bennett singing a ballad, or Mario Lanza singing a show-tune or an aria, but it is in the pieces unique to him that I think we really hear him, and that's good, that he has found his own "place in the sun" without having to betray his roots or try to be something he isn't.
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Joe
Administrator
Supporting Hayley since 2003!
Posts: 6,715 
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Post by Joe on Oct 8, 2005 3:55:54 GMT
So glad you attended Russell's concert, Steven. There were so many wonderful songs performed that night. It was great that you had Russell sign a CD for Crystal. I certainly enjoyed reading your report.
See you in two weeks!
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Post by fusilier23 on Oct 8, 2005 11:30:50 GMT
See you then as well. I'm sure we'll ALL post great reports after that one.
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Post by kcuteus1 on Oct 8, 2005 15:49:54 GMT
Steven thanks for that . I like Russell but with alot of his fans it is hard to get something unbias out of them and thanks alot for that very well writing unbais review. It is very refeaching. and I feel the way you do about his original music saddly alot of his fans do not feel that way. thanks again.
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He doesn't look like it though. 
That makes me feel so stupid, lol. 
