Mascagni: Iris

Advantages: Pure unaffected Singer
Disadvantages: Her voice will not appeal to everyone

...Infamous Angel 1992 I've always enjoyed singers with unique voices Iris Dement would definitely fit in that category, her voice is pure unaffected and can send a shiver up your spine like few present day singers. That said her voice is not for everyone, my wife for one can't stand her, no accounting for taste! Anyway I think this is a suburb album by one of the best current female country artists. To label Iris simply as a country artist would also be incorrect; there are real folk roots in her style and sound. The emotion she can put into a song is breathtaking especially the brilliant "Our Town" which will appeal to anyone who comes from a small town which has seen better times. This is not a commercial country album the instrumentation mainly acoustic is traditional and the harmonies are right out of the 1950's. Think 'Oh... Read review

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Advantages: Perfect Execution and some interesting obscurities
Disadvantages: The Real versions of all the pieces sound better

..." albums. So to the music on this album, what do you get? Everything is played in exemplary fashion, but this becomes pointless when real orchestral recordings of songs are available that sound as good as if not better than the Orbit versions. The pieces on the album are divided into three sections: 1: - Commonly Available Pieces: These are: Barber's "Adagio for Strings" (Even the single remix was a terrible kludge, taking the intro from the album and tacking on a rave beat to it, so hardly a remix.), Ravel's "Pavane pour une infante defunte", Mascagni's "Cavaliera Rusticana" and "Xerxes" by Handel . 2: - More Obscure Stuff , Therefore giving exposure to pieces that may not get it, although real renditions would still be prefereable These are: John Cage's "In a Landscape, "Ogive No 1" by Satie, and "Piece in the Old... Read review

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Advantages: Beautiful music and vocals, classic tracks,
Disadvantages: Specialised taste.

...and features love and then death as a central theme. Da'amour sull ali rosee(On the rosy wings of love) Verdi's Il trovatore(The troubadour) is reputed to have a complex plot but it still involves love. Pace, Pace(Peace, peace) From Verdi's La forza del destino(The force of destiny) First performed in Russia in 1862 . More death and love amid family troubles. Voi lo sapete o Mamma(You know, Mamma) Mascagni's 1890 opera Cavalleria rustic Ana(Rustic Chivalry) is set in a Scicilian village and is a tale of love jealousy and death. Overall O Mio Babbino Caro will not suit all listeners, obviously. It will not even appeal to all opera lovers. However for me it is a collection of 18 classic tracks that all have something to attract. I am no opera buff but enjoy these female arias which all have great musical backing. Some have male... Read review

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