Bloch: Sacred Service

Advantages: Well-balance compilation, excellent artistry, well-recorded
Disadvantages: None

...Charles Stanford is one of the great English choral composers and this third volume of his sacred works continues to pay great homage to this. Sung by the choir of Winchester Cathedral the musical capability of the artists is not in doubt, and they do great justice to the works. Throughout these pieces the organ accompaniment of Stephen Farr is exemplary, and well balanced with the choral sound. This compilation contains a nice mix of tracks. As well as the Evening Services, there are a number of anthems and several extended pieces (St. Patrick's Breastplate, For Lo, I Raise Up). The Evening Services in C and B flat reflect Stanford's great ability to bring life to the magnificat and nunc dimittis. With such frequently sung words this is a difficult enough achievement, yet here we hear voices that soar with dynamism and grace... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: Sting at his sultry best
Disadvantages: None

...... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: See review, too many to list
Disadvantages: Aimed more at the pop market, may disappoint older fans, a few filler tracks

...A friend introduced me to Shakira's music around 4 years ago after finding Latin artists such as Gloria Estefan and Elvis Crespo lurking amongst my CD collection and told me then that one day this girl would be a huge international star if she ever released an English language album. With multi-platinum music sales across Latin America and Spain it was arguable that she was pretty big already before the release of the mainly English language Laundry Service in 2001 really catapulted her almost uncategorisable, very distinct brand of Latin-pop cross-over onto the global market. The golden locked Colombian?s music draws from numerous influences and by her own admission this former child musical prodigy (who released her first million selling album aged just 13 years old) tries to incorporate as many of those styles as possible onto her... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful