1964 Orchestra Recordings, The - Carmen McRae

Advantages: Callas in one of her best studio performances, Great Sound
Disadvantages: Some fans might not like Callas' voice

...This was Callas' first complete studio recording for years and it was a big step- some would say that it proves she should have sung mezzo roles all along. The voice is dark and powerful, without the flappy high notes she had singing higher soprano roles by this late stage in her career. She has lots of character and, despite her reputation as a 'tigress', lots of subtlety as well. She had sung french arias in the studio for about four or five years before recording this carmen and she has very good diction and a good awareness of style. She is most effective in her duets with Gedda, that most stylish of tenors. His smooth voice lacks the virility of say Domingo but Gedda is very french sounding and can be exciting. The conducting is very effective with Pretre being more successful here than in some of his other opera recordings... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: Flowing melodies, vulnerable voice
Disadvantages: Drippy lyrics

...Ever since David Gray gave up on the record industry, recorded 'White Ladder' for a few bob in his front room, released it himself and went on to sell four million copies, record companies have been scrambling to sign sensitive singer-songwriters, just in case they're the next Gray. This could explain why Tom McRae has been treated so indulgently. Despite the acclaim that greeted his November 2000 debut, the 28-year old from Suffolk was carefully left alone for two and a half years to produce his second album 'Just Like Blood'. It was worth the wait. This CD is a polished gem. Its 10 tracks shimmer with a passionate intensity, each coupled to arrangements and melodies that reveal greater depths at every listen. For a mainstream release, it's about as far as you can get from most of the inanely disposable pap the music biz would have... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: McRaes usual thought-provoking lyrics
Disadvantages: Not as easy to get absrobed into as previous albums

...All Maps Welcome is the third album from Tom McRae, after his self-titled album, Tom McRe, and then Just Like Blood. I first heard this album when I was given a free taster to it, which played about 30 seconds of each song; this then led me to buy the full album. I was already a fan, and was looking forward to seeing him when he toured last year. His dark lyrics and melancholy melodies really blew me away, and I wanted to hear more. In this album, he uses assistance from members of Beck’s backing band. It took only three weeks to record, and the album itself deals with the break up of a long term relationship. His lyrics are just as deep as in other albums, but with hints of self-pity never seen before. I never really connected with this album as much as the previous ones, and I am still sceptical with some of the songs on Just... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful