Post by postscript on Dec 30, 2006 18:07:08 GMT
Hi Nicola and all.
Her best performance was her Carman sequence. She obviously really enjoys doing it! (and why wouldn't anyone, in a dress like that!) When I heard 'Chanson Boheme' on her album I was really impressed but thought to myself 'she wouldn't carry that off live!' But she did, and very well!
I am picking up on this thread as Nicola's description from a live performance seems a good place to post without creating a new thread, which I don't think my current post warrants.
I have just spent the last hour listening to Jane Jones on Classicfm chatting to Katherine Jenkins. It is the first time I have heard a reasonable cross-section of her repertoire. Her personality comes across as pleasant and accommodating and arguably as fresh and relaxed as Hayley, although, somehow, I detect a certain controlled reserve, whereas Hayley is simply and unequivocally herself through and through.
Where KJ sang what Hayley has sung I prefer (as an arrangement, ignoring voice differences) Hayley's versions. Across the KJ range I detect variations (inconsistencies) rather than the consistency that Hayley delivers.
There are some renditions when I can say unquestionably that KJ has a lovely listenable-to voice but in my view she's in the second tier behind Hayley. It raised the thought in my mind on something that has been expressed on this board under another thread, about the purity of Hayley's voice delivering a 'sameness' or lack of variety, re-addressing the debate about the characteristics of an individual singer (or their voice) against purity of sound.
I conclude, on my one hour's cross-section exposure to KJ, that I am not convinced I want one of her CDs. Faced with my awareness at this moment I do not understand (other than in momentum of CDs issued) KJ's success. I would place Lesley Garrett as way 'better' (whatever that term means!), then Sarah Brightman (I am impressed with what i have heard of her current CD) then KJ. On top, of course, still Hayley!
Peter S.
nicola said:
I really enjoyed the concert, being there, and hearing/watching Katherine. Just thought I'd make that clear before my next part. I understand she dreams of performing on the opera stage? I don't see it. Katherine, as beautiful as her voice is, leaves a lot to be desired. Maybe because I am spoilt with Sarah Brightman all the time who holds notes for twenty seconds at a time and who keeps her breath control so discreet you'd think she didn't need breath, but Katherine fell extremely short of both of this accounts. Katherine is like a cheetah, she can sing loudly and she can hit the mark very well but only for a very short period of time. I don't like the fact that she doesn't hold notes any longer than four seconds and that she even takes a breath in the middle of a note! She seems to be blowing up a air bed when she sings, she breathes that strongly, frequently and obviously. My father came with me and he doesn't listen to classical music at all, but he even picked up on all these things, he even went as far as calling her 'amatuerish'! I wouldn't call her that, she has her weaknesses but she has her strengths. But it's like I said, I'm used to other singers that don't really have weaknesses singing live. Having said that, those are her only problems, because her voice is remarkable and beautiful.Her best performance was her Carman sequence. She obviously really enjoys doing it! (and why wouldn't anyone, in a dress like that!) When I heard 'Chanson Boheme' on her album I was really impressed but thought to myself 'she wouldn't carry that off live!' But she did, and very well!
I am picking up on this thread as Nicola's description from a live performance seems a good place to post without creating a new thread, which I don't think my current post warrants.
I have just spent the last hour listening to Jane Jones on Classicfm chatting to Katherine Jenkins. It is the first time I have heard a reasonable cross-section of her repertoire. Her personality comes across as pleasant and accommodating and arguably as fresh and relaxed as Hayley, although, somehow, I detect a certain controlled reserve, whereas Hayley is simply and unequivocally herself through and through.
Where KJ sang what Hayley has sung I prefer (as an arrangement, ignoring voice differences) Hayley's versions. Across the KJ range I detect variations (inconsistencies) rather than the consistency that Hayley delivers.
There are some renditions when I can say unquestionably that KJ has a lovely listenable-to voice but in my view she's in the second tier behind Hayley. It raised the thought in my mind on something that has been expressed on this board under another thread, about the purity of Hayley's voice delivering a 'sameness' or lack of variety, re-addressing the debate about the characteristics of an individual singer (or their voice) against purity of sound.
I conclude, on my one hour's cross-section exposure to KJ, that I am not convinced I want one of her CDs. Faced with my awareness at this moment I do not understand (other than in momentum of CDs issued) KJ's success. I would place Lesley Garrett as way 'better' (whatever that term means!), then Sarah Brightman (I am impressed with what i have heard of her current CD) then KJ. On top, of course, still Hayley!
Peter S.