Grace Bawden - Wow!

[Libby]

I don't do Itunes, and I definitely prefer buying CDs unless I only like 1 song. I like to have an actual album that I can keep and put away, and see information about the songs, etc.

Thanks, I saw you could buy it on her site, but I thought you had to use Paypal, and I prefer not to. I have now ordered it!

[nicola]

I'm not into PayPal either. I'm sure I would be, if my account worked properly! As such, I only learned a month ago that you could use PayPal just as a payment processor and not use an account. That's very useful!

I'm the same with you on iTunes, by the way! I have over 700 CDs. There's still more music on my computer though because of instances when it was more appropriate to download (cheaper, didn't care for the artist that much, etc.)

[Libby]

Part of it's because my computer doesn't seem compatible with Apple software. I've only downloaded a few mp3 songs, mostly just from Amazon. It's much easier for me that way.

Part of my aversion towards Paypal was after I used it just once, I got a spam supposedly from Paypal, and they asked for my credit card account information, even though that was not the account I had registered with. Unfortunately, I didn't remember this and gave it to them. I had to cancel my credit card and get a new one, and luckily my bank blocked the charges that were made (which weren't very big, thankfully). They stole my information just to use Netflix.

[stevemacdonald]

After seeing the "wow" part of this topic I was expecting to be fully wowed by Grace, but for me she's just okay. She's another highly talented teen singer who's rightfully taking her place alongside the others. There is an unmistakable beauty in her voice and an ample amount of singing proficiency, but that's all. I do hear some manufactured elements in her songs, but that's probably inevitable with today's technology. I'm pleased that she has wowed some of you, but for me she doesn't yet possess the "it" quality that would set her far apart.

[Libby]

I don't think she's the most amazing singer ever either, but she's really good, and I like her type of voice far better than all the Whitney Houston and Christina Aguilera wanna-bes. It was also partly the songs I listened to. I decided to buy her album partly because I'm not sure how else to try her other songs, and I'm interested enough to buy it in order to do so. I don't expect every singer I hear to be as incredible as Hayley, or even certain American baritones not greatly admired by certain HWI members. It's okay to like singers that aren't incredible, especially since most singers aren't incredible, anyway.

[Belinda]

at least we are back on topic, and as has been said before everyone has their own opinions and i guess steve M that is yours

[Libby]

Oh, you mean 'cause we were talking about Paypal. Well, it was something on Grace's website, and it was an issue I was concerned about in order to buy Grace's album, so I don't see the harm in discussing it.

[Libby]

I just got Grace's CD. She signed the front of the case, and wrote my name, and I could tell that she had addressed and mailed the CD herself. It was really special, it made it seem like she was a friend who sent me a gift. Well, I guess she is!
I've only listened to the first 8 songs so far, or maybe it was 9. Anyway, I like them all so far. "People" was the only one I didn't care for as much, a little slow. "Man of Colours" and "Flower Duet" are still my favorites, though.

[nicola]

Cold Outside is my favourite. The choral arranagements along with Grace's performance is really something else. The song sounds messy at first, but won't you get used to it, I think it's genius. <3

I didn't like 'People' or 'Longer'. Boring, dull songs.

[Libby]

Yeah, I thought Longer was kind of nice at first; she sounds really pretty singing it, but I did get bored after a while. Now it's stuck in my head all over again. i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif

Did anybody else who bought her album receive the e-mail requesting feedback on her album? She also revealed that she'll be working on her next album soon. She listed some of the songwriters she hoped to work with. Here's what she said:
"I also hope you will take the time to offer your critical feedback, as we are about to embark on recording my second album in the coming year, which will consist of original crossover music.
I hope most of it will be written by esteemed writers in the US, such as Keith Thomas (Charlotte Church, Amy Grant), Broadway Musical Director, Jeffrey Silverman and award-winning writers Flaherty and Ahrens (Anastasia, Seussical)."

[Libby]

I listened to Cold Outside, again, and I agree, it's a really good song. After first listening to the album, I kind of had that mixed up with Dear God, in my head.

[Libby]

Posted on Grace's Facebook:

Media Release

31st May, 2010


"Australia’s Youngest Operatic Sensation Debuts in Europe"


Australia’s seventeen year old “vocal Stradivarius”, Grace Bawden, is set to break into the European market with two pre-release singles from her "Gifts of Grace" debut album, through a cross-continental joint venture.

The debut singles chosen for launching the album on mainstream commercial radio in Italy this week are Bruce Springstein’s, "Streets of Philadelphia", and Icehouse classic, "Man of Colours", from her debut album "Gifts of Grace”, which has already been licensed for distribution by EMI / Gold Typhoon in Hong Kong, China and Taiwan and will soon also be available in the Philippines and Europe.

In March, Grace signed to European Manager, Gennaro (Jerry) de Concilio, who will be producing the soprano’s second album for an exclusively European audience, through his own label, Robin Hood Records. In consultation with Mr Popi Fabrizio (former A&R of BMG Ricordi/ Sony and Polygram/Universal, Italy), Jerry brings a great deal of experience to the union having previously staged the Pavarotti Farewell Concert in Milan, with the patronage of Luciano Pavarotti’s family and attended by many dignitaries of the Italian Government. Jerry had previously managed Maestro Janos Acs, who conducted the Three Tenors and the Beijing Opera in “Turandot” with the direction of Zhang Yimou.

“We are inviting expressions of interest from private investors in the new European joint venture between Robin Hood Records and Grace Bawden Promotions Pty Ltd, which is already boasting major cross-continental collaborations, including the UK and US", Jerry said.

Grace has been classified as a lyrical, coloratura soprano with a vocal range of over four octaves, lending herself to a wide variety of styles from contemporary and traditional to the classical, opera and arias.

In 2009 Grace was awarded the Living Legend Award by the city of Salisbury, in recognition of her charitable works within her local community, which she hopes to continue through her Italian association with the Karibu Foundation in the village of Chakama, Kenya.

Grace said, “When we named the album “Gifts of Grace” it was always with the intention of one day in the future, contributing to an African charitable cause, so I am particularly blessed and proud that I can be a part of the great work of Karibu Foundation.”