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Post by nicola on Jul 6, 2006 12:38:24 GMT
I have noticed that absolutely no one has mentioned this amazing artist. If you have never heard of her... check her out! If you think Hayley has bell-like clarity Emma is the one to rival her. She is a stunningly beautiful bilingual french soprano/composer/lyricist. All of her albums only contain original material. Her first album 'Carmine Meo' was largely written by her collaberator, but 'Etterna' her better album was entirely written by herself. All of her songs sound like they come out of an opera, but they don't, they are hers. Her songs are haunting, beautiful, dark, dramatic - everything you could want from arias she has. As for the voice - don't even get me started. Honestly, I have never heard anyone like her. Songs to check out: Spente Le Stelle Vedi, Maria (possibly the only not entirely original song she has done) Spesso Sprofondo La Notte Etterna She only sings in italian, but the translations to her songs are in her album sleeves. Her lyrics are amazing. They are poetic and original. Here is a translation of a part of 'Spesso Sprofondo: The Lady of the shadows
Shall not hinder my flight
She weeps...
She shall not hinder my flight
The Lady weeps
Over lethel love...
Poisonous remorse
Which dashed my sweetness
My heart is glazed
Sealed hereafter
Who do I lack?
Oh cruel fate
But who betrays me?
'Tis he... Wherefore?
From which world of error
Did this dark evil
Which wounds my heart
Come, to enter my thoughts?If you want to here a sample of her music a fan has set up a MySpace for her: www.myspace.com/emmashapplinmusicNote: there are two versions of 'La Notte Etterna'. The original and the remix, this site has the remix version. Point is, I couldn't recommend her enough. There was a girl who kept mentioning her for years on the SB2K board I go to and I totally ignored it until five months ago. I feel like kicking myself in the teeth! |
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Post by roger on Jul 6, 2006 14:30:40 GMT
Hiya Nic, In view of your enthusiasm, I gave her a try. Yep, very good but I can't find anything which sets her aside from so many others. The backing is too heavy on the percussion for my liking. Maybe I'm just getting old!  Roger |
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Post by postscript on Jul 6, 2006 15:05:39 GMT
Steady Roger, you are younger than I am!
Peter
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Post by Raymond on Jul 6, 2006 15:18:59 GMT
Thank you Nicola. I like her voice.  Raymond |
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Post by nicola on Jul 6, 2006 16:31:07 GMT
I am always enthusiastic over artists I like  As for what sets her apart - I thought it was obvious  I think her voice and diction are crystal clear, especially put against people like Katherine Jenkins and Sarah Brightman. Then there is the fact there is no one else who have done her songs, and vice versa. I've always said I like crossover artists to sing original songs, then she comes along with two albums full of them! Needless to say, I like her as a result. It also depends if you like a dark listen. Her music tends to be dark, but not in a depressing way, more in a fantastical way, like what you would hear in a gothic castle. Lovely. |
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Post by roger on Jul 6, 2006 16:45:44 GMT
Hi Nic, Certainly the material is entirely original which does set her apart. My comment was merely in judgment of her voice. Yes, her voice and diction are crystal clear but, to my aging ear, no more so than many. Peter, thank you for the reminder that I am younger than you but I feel I am catching you up rapidly!  Roger |
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Post by chungchungxavier on Jul 6, 2006 16:53:46 GMT
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Post by nicola on Jul 6, 2006 17:02:38 GMT
I knew what you meant  I just find it incredibly difficult to put the sounds of a voice into words I'm supposed to be a writer. I'm a failure. Lol! I guess you have heard many more than me (no doubt about it) but I haven't heard anyone like Emma. She has a good attitude too. But she is very quiet. She doesn't do "publicity" at all. There is never any news on her and she appears on nothing, she is not interested on that side of it all. Bizarre how she gets sales really! Downside of this of course is do fans get to contact her? Not at all. That is the most interesting comparison I have ever heard! Maybe you should be the writer instead of me! Lol! The angel/devil suits Emma very much. Have you seen her photo shoots? Very gothic. (when I say gothic I don't mean the 'new' gothic where everyone dressed in black with black eyeliner etc, I mean the more... fantastical kind.) |
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Post by chungchungxavier on Jul 6, 2006 19:19:41 GMT
well said Nicola !!  I kind of think that Emma is like a combination of the following : --JOAN SUTHERLAND ( for the colorutura singing that is like a volcanic eruption ) --BJORK (for the originality , and that kind of exotic / alternative approach to her music and that kind of Rock-plus-electronic feeling ) --THE TALLIS SCHOLARS ENSEMBLE( for that kind of ANCIENT-ROMAN-GREEK-RELIGION-MYTHICAL-SUBLIME-SUPERNATURAL STYLE OF SINGING ) ............................ and All in all Emma is like Greta Garbo . She ALWAYS stays away from the spotlight , the screen , the gossip and all that . She hides in the dark nearly ALL the times . This adds to the INTRIGUE of the mythical Emma . She is like " A NAMELESS " , "AN UNCREATED " or something .........................making you think about your OWN dark sides (Oh blah blah blah ) ..........................................
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Post by nicola on Mar 26, 2010 10:28:37 GMT
I thought that I might revive this thread, since Grant recently became interested in her.
Although, I hate the way I approached introducing her. What was I like four years ago? Nothing wrong with a good old "have a listen". Sheesh. Must of put everyone off!
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Post by grant on Mar 26, 2010 14:32:44 GMT
Hi again Nicola A couple of things. First, quite surprised when I first played "Etterna" that I have and 'enhanced' version with an interview (which I have not studied yet) didn't realise there were different versions. Second; My friend wants his "Carmine Meo" CD back! so I have to get my own - there are two different versions of this one too - the later one having three extra tracks with the last track in English. According to some of the reviews on Amazon, this doesn't work very well. I would value your opinion as to which one to get Best wishes Grant |
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Post by nicola on Mar 26, 2010 20:46:02 GMT
I have two versions of Carmine Meo. One has a pretty cover, and one doesn't. But both have the same tracklist. I imagine the English track is called 'Discovering Yourself' which I absolutely love, BUT it's very different. It's a pop/rock song. www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQytNvBev1U I have the single which has three other tracks, so it sounds as if this import is blending the two. Only one of those songs is like the rest of the album, the others have really harsh dance beats. It's not my favourite item by her, despite loving DY. I'd recommend the normal edition. |
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Post by grant on Mar 26, 2010 23:41:56 GMT
Hi Nicola Thanks so much for the advice - really appreciated! Just picked up a copy of "Carmine Meo" from Ebay for £3.00. No details of track list but it's the one with the pretty cover. Best wishes Grant |
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Post by grant on Mar 28, 2010 19:45:17 GMT
Hello Nicola
Well, I think I can now safely say that Emma has definitely made a lasting impression on me. When "Etterna" first arrived, I played it a couple of times but found myself wanting to take it off the player and put "Carmine Meo" on instead. It seemed there was nothing about "Etterna" that held my attention which quite deflated me!
Then I remembered I had had a similar problem with Hayley when "Odyssey" came out - I didn't know Hayley at all well then and it was so different to "Pure" and what I was expecting and playing it solidly wasn't making me like it more. On that ocassion, I put "Odyssey" on one side and didn't actually play it again until a friend asked to hear it. Well, I'm sure you can guess what happened.
I did the same with "Etterna" perhaps I had played it too much too soon - it being quite different (to me anyway) to "Carmine Meo". Having not played it for several days, I put "Etterna" on again tonight to see if I could identify those tracks I liked - I couldn't!! As each track finished it was like "well, I like that one ...." It felt as though I was listening to a completely different album and now I really love it.
Still not sure which of them is favourite yet - I may never be able to decide.
Best wishes
Grant
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Post by nicola on Mar 28, 2010 20:07:01 GMT
I know what you mean, Grant. Etterna is a grower, and I think it's because you need to spend quality time with it to appreciate it. It's one of those albums that I can just put on and not skip any tracks, but "Spesso, Sprofondo" has always been one of my favourites. That melody in the chorus! It's gorgeous. <3
I have a vague memory of the interview on the CD - I remember it being very interesting and it explains her thought processes a bit more.
If you like Carmine Meo and Etterna, there's only one more purchase to make, and that's the "Red Planet" soundtrack. The film composer co-wrote Etterna with Emma, and he uses her for the score. It's lovely.
If you grow to love Emma a lot, you could always attempt her latest album, 'Macadam Flower' but my advice is to pretend it doesn't exist. It does have an acoustic version of 'Aedeus' on it though. XD
I got the album in 2004, and I remember sitting there for hours just listening and reading through her lyrics (as a dork English Lit student, the poetry fascinated me) and trying to learn the Italian pronounciation so I could sing along. I can still do this with Spesso, Sprofondo without looking, but I have forgotten the others. XD
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I think her voice and diction are crystal clear, especially put against people like Katherine Jenkins and Sarah Brightman. Then there is the fact there is no one else who have done her songs, and vice versa. I've always said I like crossover artists to sing original songs, then she comes along with two albums full of them! 
I just find it incredibly difficult to put the sounds of a voice into words 
