Customer Reviews

Amazing Grace: Jessye Norman

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This recording of Jessye Norman makes the hair on the back of ones neck stand up. When hearing her sing, without accompaniment, the Traditional songs on this disc one can fully understand why she received a 58 minute ovation in Vienna. A spellbinding C.D.

There's not enough words that can express how wonderful Miss Jessye Norman's vocal talent is. What a wonderful opera diva! I thought the George Bizet's Carmen (CD) was magnificient but then when I got this (CD), I was thrown back. The range and style in "Ave Maria" is splendid, so is "Let's Break Bread Together," "Amazing Grace," and many more songs found on this CD. Miss Jessye Norman, Ms. Leontyne Price, Miss kathleen Battle, Miss Joan Sutherland are top opera divas on my list. So you know I have a fine taste of hearing great vocals; you can't go wrong in purchasing this CD. It's a treasure to listen to.

Georgia's own Jessye Norman, one of the most brilliant voices on the planet, brings her own inimitable style to this collection of traditional spirituals and familiar solo pieces. All of he selections presented here bear her unique stamp with the real highlight being "Ave Maria" that is sung the way that Schubert, no doubt, wanted it.

In the words of the French who probably consider Miss Norman a treasure, "Vive la Norman!" Thus, should we all exclaim the same.

Nobody over at Philips Classics wants the credit - or the blame -in the liner notes for assembling this fey compilation of spirituals & sacred standards. Mostly recycled from four different recording sessions & maybe that many albums, Amazing Grace is an exercise in corporate profit-taking.

Long about cut nine, a gorgeous version of Franck's "Panis Angelicas," one realizes the funereal tempos & solemn a cappella spirituals just ain't gonna let up. They do, briefly, for "Great Day," but that's it.

Still, Jessye Norman wraps her wonderful voice around "There's a Man Going Round" & "Steal Away" like she's determined to win First Prize at the annual church talent show. & the Pietro Yon setting of "Gésu Bambino," combining two carols, takes one's breath away. I even sit through "Ave Maria" every so often. So, this album gets four stars for having beautiful music, & only when I load Amazing Grace into the CD changer along with albums of the same title by Aretha Franklin & Mahalia Jackson, hitting the random play button. Sure wish Jessye sounded happier to be amazed.

A great collection of music, impeccably performed. Norman shows her versatility, ranging from spirituals to Ave Maria to traditional Christmas music, all in that marvelous voice of hers. If you're a fan of Jesse Norman, you know what to expect, and you'll love it. If you're not familiar with her, this is a good place to start.

If God ever sang, He would sound like this. I get cold chills and the hairs on the nape of my neck rise every time I listen.

I really enjoyed the CD. Her voice is rich and full and the ranges are amazing.Amazing grace is on of my favaorite songs on the CD.I would purchase more of her music.

This CD is one of my prefered from Jessye Norman.
There is many different songs and you can hear all the different colors of her voice.
This is a gift for someone you like.

PS: Excuse me if my English is not very good. I'm not English.

Oh what a joy to listen to one of the richest voices of our time! A truly great singing legend. Breathtaking depth and effortless power!

Jessye Norman is one of my favorite opera singers. I hope that she may release another CD of Gospel songs very soon. We have waited too much!!! How about to revisit Marian Andersons' Gospel recordings!!!