Voices of Romance

[Richard]

Hello everybody!

This album may only be available in Malaysia, because I've found this review from the Malaysia Star:-

Voices of Romance



Artist:

[/b] VARIOUS ARTISTES

(Universal)

Reviewer: LI EE KEE

EVER wondered what the “voice of romance” sounds like? Well, wonder no more. Here, in this compilation album are 20 prime examples, with voices that range from operatic to jazzy, bluesy and pop-ish.

Although I must say that the selection of some of these “voices” left me baffled. The Choirboys, All Angels or Trinity hardly left me intoxicated with feelings of love and yearning for a heady romance. Instead, for some strange reason, I felt the need to go to church.

And, if like me, you decide to listen to the album after gobbling down a heavy lunch, it is likely that some of these “voices” will lull you into a slumber. No disrespect to the singers and their voices. I believe they were just bogged down by the songs. Wouldn’t it have made more sense to feature their original material instead?

Baritone Patrizio Buanne’s Un Angelo isn’t too bad but it just doesn’t have the same fervour as Robbie Williams’ original. Bedshaped (Cosi) by tenor Vittorio Grigolo is interesting at best but give me Keane’s rendition any day. Welsh mezzo-soprano Katherine Jenkins’ cover of Bryan Adams’ (Everything I Do) I Do It for You is downright weird.

There are times when things should just be left the way they are. In this case, the operatic treatment on these contemporary pop tunes is an experiment gone awry.

Fortunately, there are more than enough decent tunes here to save the album from total disgrace. Like Andrea Bocelli’s Besame Mucho, Careless Love by Madeleine Peyroux, Hayley Westenra’s Pokarekare Ana, and English tenor Russell Watson’s version of You Raise Me Up. Luciano Pavarotti’s Nessun Dorma! and Tony Bennett’s The Most Beautiful Girl in the World.

Overall, this is a mixed bag that might just suit your palate, but I’m sure it could have been done better.[/size][/quote]
This album is a very strange mixture, so Universal must be targeting a wide audience!

Richard

[Stephany]

Hi Richard,
Thanks for the article - the compilation has a lot of various artists; difficult to see what Universal is seeking to do with it.
Anyway, I also found another Malaysian article about the CD.
Best wishes,
Stephany

Win her heart with Voices Of Romance

21 April 2007
Weekend Mail

(c) 2007 New Straits Times Press (Malaysia)

Life would be a bore if you didn't put a soundtrack to it. This is true especially during times when life seems to resemble scenes from a soap opera. For those moments, when you're feeling happy, sad or romantic, there's always a song that fits the mood.

Admit it, you have such songs in your music collection, a special song for special romantic occasions. If you don't, then Universal Music's latest compilation album, Voices Of Romance, might do the trick to thaw your cold, frosty heart.

You could play this album when you want to get in the mood with your loved one, or get you out of trouble when you mess up. When you forget a very special day or break a promise, this special CD of romantic tunes could just save your life.

Voices Of Romance has a wonderful selection, like the timeless pieces by Andrea Bocelli, Russell Watson, Vittorio, Patrizio Buanne, Jamie Cullum, Katherine Jenkins and Hayley Westenra. The sensual voices will mesmerise your beloved.

Take for example, Everlasting Love by Jamie Cullum. His soothing voice and moving lyrics would bring out the deepest emotions in anyone. A sure winner with the ladies. Madeleine Peyroux's Careless Love would remind you of the energy of New Orleans, where jazz is a way of life. You may compare it to the original version sung by Bessie Smith, but Peyroux sang in her own haunting and enchanting style. Then, let heartfelt classics like Tony Bennett's The Most Beautiful Girl In The World take you back to those moments you don't want to forget.

Although some of the songs like Il Divo's Unbreak My Heart (Regresa a Mi), Andrea Boccelli's Besame Mucho, Hayley Westenra's Pokarekare Ana and Patrizio Buane's Un Angelo may not be in the language you can understand, they may actually be just perfect for those occasions when you don't want to be sidetracked by lyrics. In fact, here's a tip to the guys: the ladies usually find love songs sung in foreign languages more romantic! Just ask any of your female friends.

Men might find this album more like a collection of lullabies instead of something to put them in a romantic mood, especially all they're used to is rock. But even the toughest rocker needs a little slowdown-time and with this album, you'll achieve just that.

[Richard]

Thanks for that, Stephany!

I've found the full tracklisting at CD WOW!

• Regresa a Mi - Il Divo
  
• Besame Mucho - Andrea Bocelli
  
• Un Angelo - Patrizio Buanne
  
• Bedshapped - Vittorio Grigolo
  
• Careless Love - Madeleine Peyroux
  
• Everything I Do (Quello che faro) - Katherine Jenkins
  
• You Raise Me Up - Russell Watson
  
• Pokarekare Ana - Hayley Westenra
  
• Tears In Heaven - The Choirboys
  
• Nessun Dorma - Luciano Pavarotti
  
• Nocturne - Secret Garden
  
• The Most Beautiful Girl In The World - Tony Bennett
  
• Joanna - Peter Grant
  
• Everlasting Love - Jamie Cullum
  
• I Can't Stop Loving You - Ray Charles
  
• Everybody Hurts - G4
  
• Agnus Dei - All Angels
  
• Fields Of Gold - Triniti
  
• I Put A Spell On You - Nina Simone
  
• Mad About The Boy - Dinah Washington

Richard