06 January 2010
By Lyov
In Pop

Voice of an Angel
Those leery and weary of tasteless crossover need not shudder at the sight of this disc, which has sold over half a million copies in Europe. There’s none of the softcore kiddie porn that came with Vanessa-Mae or the heavily packaged faux romanticism of Andrea Bocelli. (That of course doesn’t necessarily mean that you’ll want Voice of an Angel.) This 12-year-old Welsh soprano is so uncloyingly cute and has such an appealing personality (with just enough touch of cheek) that you’d almost rather have her as a dinner guest than on your CD player. Her small, attractive, sometimes unstable but always sincere soprano perhaps went to the top of the British charts because it clicks into the boy-soprano choir tradition so prevalent there, especially since many of the selections are sacred items such as “The Lord’s Prayer” and “Ave Maria.” And Church may pick up some fans thanks to the tail end of Celtic chic, with the Welsh folk songs and the rendition of “Danny Boy.” But this promises to be yet another short-lived media phenomenon, rather than the beginning of a lengthy career....
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Charlotte Church, classical, female, female vocalists, opera, Pop, Voice of an Angel
20 December 2009
By Lyov
In Pop

Insieme A Te
Born in Siena, Italy, Safina found his passion for opera at a young age. His mother encouraged his eagerness by teaching him the history of opera, while his father’s love of singing served as an inspiration. By the age of nine, Safina had decided to devote himself completely to opera. Already, he has performed on stage across Europe in Puccini’s La Bohème and Tchaikovsky’s Eugene Onegin....
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alessandro safina, Insieme A Te, Italian, male vocalists, opera, pop opera
14 December 2009
By Lyov
In Pop

My Christmas
Andrea Bocelli’s 2009 My Christmas album finds the Italian tenor performing various classic holiday-themed songs that touch on a mix of classical, opera, and pop. Included are such well-known holiday songs as “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town,” “O Tannenbaum,” and “Silent Night.” The versatile Bocelli also delves into such iconic Christmas hits as “Blue Christmas” and “The Christmas Song” (featuring a duet with Natalie Cole). Of course, the opera and classic songs are Bocelli’s bread and butter, and here listeners get such lavishly produced cuts as “Adeste Fidelis,” “Cantique del Noel,” and “Caro Gesu Bambino.” My Christmas is not only a warm and inviting holiday album, but also a superb classical crossover entry worthy of Bocelli’s discography....
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Andrea Bocelli, classical, Italian, male vocalists, My Christmas, opera
30 November 2009
By Lyov
In Pop

Amor (Spanish Version)
A voice like Andrea Bocelli’s only comes along every generation or so, (if that) Caruso, Lanza, Pavarotti and Now Bocelli; They are my big 4. Not only does Bocelli have wonderful opera skills, but also tremendous pop singing skills, as well. As for classical singing; Bocelli’s breath control is amazing; no one holds high, mid, and low notes (sang either intensely or softly) as long as Bocelli does. His diction is excellent; His tone is wonderful; His color is right in sink to the song being performed, dark or light, and all shads around those as needed. He has that tenor ring that can rise up over an orchestra, he sings just beautifully. As for his pop singing again it’s spectacular; Bocelli can sing a pop song either in a classical way, or a bluesy way or almost anyway. He has tremendous versatility, I would rank him right at the top of pop singing for all time. Bocelli can sing big, bold, intense and beautiful, or can show us a soft side it seems like he is singing in one’s ear, very sweetly and beautiful. ...
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Amor (Spanish Version), Andrea Bocelli, Chris Botti, Christina Aguilera, classical, Italian, Kenny G, male vocalists, Mario Reyes, opera, Pop, Stevie Wonder