One Saturday evening towards the end of 2002, I was making a cup of coffee in the kitchen, when I heard this amazing voice coming from the TV next door. The voice belonged to a woman who was singing “Bridge Over Troubled Water”, and it sounded fantastic! I rushed next door to see who it was, and found that it was Charlotte Church, who was being interviewed by Michael Parkinson! This was the first song I had ever heard her sing which was not operatic or classical, and I was really impressed. So when my husband asked me what I wanted for Christmas, I had no trouble asking for “Prelude” her latest album. I shall now endeavour to give my opinions on each track and the album as a whole.
Pie Jesu - from Requiem by Andrew Lloyd Webber
This is one of her most famous songs, and is lovely to listen to. This was made early on in her career, and for her age she has a fantastic range, starting high and reaching all the high notes calmly, and with ease. Her voice definitely sounds angelic, and understandably her debut album was called, "The Voice of an Angel"!
My Lagan Love – a traditional Ulster air
This is rather lovely. I am a big fan of Clannad and Enya, and her voice is reminiscent of these artists. It starts off with a harp, which sets the theme beautifully. Folk songs or airs are quite interesting, and she manages to reach the range required and give it a hauntingly beautiful quality as well. There is a hint of “Welshness” in her singing since her Welsh lilt can be detected, and I find this rather charming.
In Trutina - (from Carmina Burana by Carl Orff),
This is another track where she sings at a very high range, and her voice sounds very angelic once again.
Panis Angelicus - César Franck
Again an angelic sounding voice, and at almost as high a range as the previous song! The diction is good and easy to follow.
Amazing Grace - from Charlotte's debut album "Voice Of An Angel"
The song has been sung in many a church throughout the ages, and is regularly sung on one of the many Sunday evening religious programs on TV. Charlotte sings this well, with good diction and professionalism. However, since it is so famous, I would like to have heard her do a version of her own, and not just what every one else has done. She sings some very high notes at the end, which I don’t see, the point of!! The point with "Amazing Grace" is that it is a very dramatic song, and she could easily do this better. The angelic choir in the background detracted from the song. This was from her debut album, and I believe she has improved since then. Perhaps a new version of this would be possible?
Just Wave Hello – Ford’s Global Anthem
She sings this well but I don’t think much of it as a song, quite honestly.
La Pastorella - from Soirées Musicales by Gioacchino Rossini
Another piece of classical music. This is quite an exercise in seeing how she can move between octaves, and she does this with ease. Up, down, up down, etc!!
She Moved Through the Fair – Traditional Irish Ballad
This is in some ways quite like “My Langan Love”, which is also an Irish ballad. Again we have a harp, and the melodic, hauntingly beautiful voice of Charlotte. It is also reminiscent of Clannad and Enya, but I guess this is the style of song they sing. These types of songs remind me of walking amongst hills covered in lavender!! (The hills, that is, not me!!)
Ave Maria - (adapted to the 1st Prelude of Johann Sebastian Bach)
She starts this song with a much deeper, more mellow voice than in her other tracks. Eventually the notes start to go higher, and she copes very well with such a change in range.
Dream A Dream – (Elysium - Charlotte's duet with Billy Gilman) – Gabriel Faure
This music is by Faure and is very famous. It is most often heard as a piece of music rather than a song. It has been used for adverts and is often heard as background music for TV programs. This duet is really lovely. Again she starts off with a lower range than usual, escalating to a much higher range later on, which increases the dramatic effect immensely. The voice of Billy Gilman is less obvious.
The Flower Duet - (composed by Leo Delibes with text by Edmond Gondinet and Phillipe Gille)
This is a well-known song having been the theme tune for many adverts. She sings this well and it shows off her mastery of range. The harp also gives it authority and class.
Habanera - (composed by Georges Bizet)
This is from Carmen and is the famous one we all remember! This is sung with authority and is enjoyable.
The Prayer - (duet with Josh Groban, composed by David Foster and Carole Bayer Sager)
This is a more modern number, which she delivers well. It is a duet with Josh Groban and they harmonise together well.
All Love can be - was originally found on the movie soundtrack, A Beautiful Mind.
This is another hauntingly beautiful song from “A Beautiful Mind” which was a very sad film.
It’s the Heart that Matters Most
Another modern song. This is much better. It shows off her abilities, and is dramatic, and she puts her heart and soul into it. This is a more recent recording, and in my opinion is that of a woman rather than a child.
Tantum Ergo – Gabriel Faure
Another classical piece which starts and remains at a high range. Relaxing and nice to listen to.
Bridge Over Troubled Water – Paul Simon
This is sung well by Simon and Garfunkel, but brilliantly by Charlotte. I think her version of this is far superior, and she is basically the better musician; it just illustrates her superiority. It is sung with gusto and verve, and with the voice of a trained singer.
Sancta Maria - Pietro Mascagni
Another classical piece, which shows off her mastery of range. It’s a melodic, restful piece and an enjoyable rendition.
There is also a web site, http://www.charlottechurch.com, where you can find out information about Charlotte and her music. There is a home page, latest news page, a biography which summarizes her life and rise to fame, a music page which discusses all her albums and tracks, a photo gallery, a community page, which includes an invitation to give an opinion on her music, and last of all a mailing list page, and if you join, you will receive a newsletter on a regular basis. In the news page it says that the Prelude CD contains a bonus CD. If this is put into the CDrom and the following link clicked, http://www.charlottechurch.com/ConnecteD/ , it is possible to see the “must-see” content of the CD. Just follow the links and enjoy, it says. However, I can’t download shockwave and therefore can’t see the “must-see”!!
My overall opinion is that even though this album has covered operatic songs, ballads and more modern songs, she has delivered them all with sensitivity and beauty. She has a ‘silky smooth’ voice and it also has a hauntingly beautiful quality to it. Apparently she is veering away from classical music. My opinion is that if she does, she needs to choose music which shows her voice off to its true capability. In “It’s the Heart that Matters Most” she shows that she can move to modern day songs, but they must be special and possibly written especially for her, and not someone else’s song.
This album is a good buy for anyone interested in good music. You will know most songs form adverts, films or just from the radio. She has a tremendous voice and performs well. This will not disappoint you.
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How does it compare to the artist's other releases
Outstanding
How does it rate alongside the competition
Outstanding
Cover / Inlay Design and Content
Good
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