Customer Reviews

Bianca Ryan

5 star:		(56)
4 star:		(12)
3 star:		(8)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

The fact that I purchased Bianca Ryan's CD is a measure of how impressed I am with her:I usually buy classical (intrumental) and avoid pop music like the plague - especially anything involving a young voice that's yet to mature. But Bianca Ryan is in a league of her own. I came across her on YouTube quite by chance and was stunned by the power of her performance. What grabbed my attention was that a (then) eleven-year-old child could project such amazing depth into a song. That's the thing: there are more mature (and perhaps better) voices that leave me cold. Bianca Ryan's melts the heart. She's got that extra something, and I don't think it comes from her vocal chords alone.

Those who compare this recording unfavourably with Bianca's appearances on "America's Got Talent" haven't taken into account the difference between a live performance (especially with friends and family present) and the commercialised product of a recording studio - performed in musical isolation. Even experienced adults find the latter a challenge. At only twelve years of age, Bianca Ryan handles this like a pro, especially in "And I am telling you" - no melodic cues whatsoever in the dissonant accompaniment. No mean feat for a grown-up, let alone a kid! As for not understanding the words - performers (like writers) hardly experience everything they sing (or write) about. And for those who say "too loud" - that's what equalizer and volume controls are all about. Essential for such a wide range of musical material.

I am glad it isn't all sweet stuff - replete with bland notes. New Zealand's Haley Westenra (another singer launched in her pre-teens) has a voice like a silver flute, but all the sweetness in her songs gets tiring. The fact that Bianca Ryan's style has been compared with Minnelli's and Joplin's says something for her musical prowess. My copy of her CD could well go alongside my collection of Bach (a swinger for his day.) If he were alive today, he just might write a melody for her.

This "little girl" deserved a much better mixing and mastering job than she got. The CD is so overly compressed--the musical equivalent of TYPING EVERYTHING IN ALL CAPS SO THE DYNAMICS ARE COMPLETELY DESTROYED AND EVERYTHING JUST SOUNDS ALL-THE-SAME-LOUD AND BEFORE YOU KNOW IT YOUR EARS HURT AND SO DOES YOUR HEAD AND YOU'VE GOT TO TURN IT OFF--that one gets the impression that Bianca is having to scream over the background that should have been, but was decidedly not, relegated to the background.

The song choices for Ms. Ryan are excellent, balanced and suggestive of what she's capable of. But why did the CD producers have to BURY her like that? Whatever were they thinking? They ruined the work of the other artists, too; for example, the arrangement of the bonus track "Groovin'" could have been extraordinary had it not been for the beat overwhelming everything else. Halfway through the song, I felt like I was listening to some nondescript rap song blasted through all the windows of a car beside which I'm stuck in traffic. This is NOT the artists' fault. It is errors in judgment at the mixing level, which can make or break an album.

Bianca Ryan is sheer brilliance, and just looking at her photos in the liner notes makes me happy as I remember how she blew us all away during America's Got Talent. But this CD does not begin to show her off; no, it detracts from her amazing talent, depth, and range. There is no way to repair the damage with equalization. I'm glad I bought the CD because I think it will be collectible one day and I want Bianca to be encouraged in her career. She is definitely a powerhouse, but I doubt I'm going to want to listen to this debut CD very much due to the mixing and compression issues.

I hope they'll remix "Bianca Ryan" and re-release it so her debut album truly does her justice. (A remix would be easier to do, I expect, than a remake of the butchered/abbreviated mess of a movie Fox made from another young prodigy's impressive work, Christopher Paolini's "Eragon.")

This young lady connects with her audience even through the faceless medium of a CD. I've read reviews that say she is like "Streisand or Celine Dion." I would submit to you that she is not like those singers at all. Streisand and Dion are great...But they don't revive the human spirit the way this young lady does. She doesn't sing; she sculpts her voice in the much manner of a fine instrument played by a master. When I heard this CD I had the feeling like she was showing me her very heart and soul. I think what we are seeing is debut of what will be one of the best vocal entertainers of this centry. Superior entertainment!

Kid wins talent competition. Kid rushes out CD three months later. By all rights, your kids should play it twice and let it gather dust forevermore.

So, how does 12-year-old Bianca Ryan make her debut? With a voice beyond her years, a heart some singers can never show, and some of the biggest names in the business (including David Foster) begging exec-producer Simon Cowell to work with her, Ryan has "rushed" out a powerful debut that's true to her gospel/R&B roots while appealing to her age group.

Or, mostly, their parents.

Ryan opens with "The Rose", the Bette Midler classic (from 15 years before Ryan was born) that is given a dusting off and a slightly more pop-music feel. Same goes for the R. Kelly tune "I Believe I Can Fly" (until it takes a sharp, unabashed turn back into gospel at the end). Other covers include Regina Belle's "Dream In Color"--a powerful gospel ballad rewritten especially for Ryan ("When I dream, I dream in color/There is so much I want to discover/Somewhere I know there's a rainbow waiting for me")--and "You Light Up My Life", an otherwise unremarkable remake that adds a little heart to a ballad that has always seemed forced.

Original songs written for Ryan include "Awake" (a mid-tempo pop tune for the Hilary Duff set), "Pray For A Better Day" (a laid-back funk ballad) and the Diane Warren-penned "I Wish That" (a mid-tempo yet intense vocal showcase that screams "listen to me, world, here's how things ought to be").

Kicking up the tempo, "Superstar" is straight-up, Britney-ish pop that's admittedly infectious (and not just a little corny) but could be sung by anyone; "Why Couldn't It Be Christmas Every Day?" is an instant holiday classic.

Not unexpectedly, the album also features the full version of "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going", the Broadway Show tune that helped her win 'America's Got Talent' in August.

Established artists struggle with albums that are appealing while staying true to their roots; Bianca Ryan takes her first huge step into a tough world and makes it seem easy. Like Brandy said, "you were born to do this."

This is one of those CD's that I knew I would have to run out and buy the very first day it came out !

After hearing Bianca on America's Got Talent , I was totally blown away by this voice , that is part angel , part torch singer . This little girl has more soul in her pinky than most blues' singers .

The album is mostly covers of standards and a power balld by Diane Warren and a really nice new Christmas song .

My favorites are " And I am Telling You", " I Will" and " Pure and Simple" - her voice soars with emotion and you will be shocked that this is a 12 year old girl . Bianca was born to sing - pure and simple !

My only wish is that there were a few songs that had a little more soul and blues in them , because to me , this is Bianca's forte . Still, the album shines and I can hardly wait for the next one !

I first heard 12 year old Bianca Ryan on a summer show called "America's Got Talent". I had never heard a 11 year old (she was still 11 back then) have such a fantastic and mature voice. She sounded almost like an adult when she took an Jennifer Holliday's "And I'm Telling You I Got Nothing" which is a song many people wouldn't be able to sing, let alone someone who is just a child. Bianca would eventually win the whole competition and shortly afterwards record companies would be all over her. Sony won the tug-of-war and her eponymous debut album was released. Bianca delivers what she's expected to. The album is a mix between old and new songs and you can tell it was recorded quite fast in order to content all the fans that watched Bianca on tv. The Holiday's song (which Bianca made her trademark) appears on this album just like many other cover versions like R.Kely's "I Believe I Can Fly" Bette Midler's "The Rose" Debbie Boone's "You Light Up My Life" and Regina Belle's "Dream In Colour". Although I'm not that fond of covers, it's refreshing to hear her take on classics. Good songwriters Like Walter Affansieff and Diane Warren also did their jobs with "I Wish That" and "Why Couldn't It Be Christmas Every Day?". Bianca Ryan is a fantastic singer and will probably be among the greatest in a few years time when she's 15-16. But she's still only 12 and obviously the album isn't very personal yet. But if you like her voice, and want a good album with an up and coming singer, this one is for you. Bianca Ryan really got talent.

This little girl has so much talent.This CD is one of the best CD I have ever bought. I like the diversity in the songs and so it's very hard to pick a favorite. Love the "I dream in color" , "I wish that" as well as the fast song "Superstar" and reminiscing over "The Rose" as well as "And I am telling you" All in all you will not be disappointed as she has such a range and her softness that you can feel thru your speakers. She makes me cry when I hear her and very few singers can move me to that! Her voice is soooo soothing and better than people twice her age. Her whole CD is great. Can't wait for the next one. Awesome job!

Bianca Ryan has to have one of the most beautiful voices I have ever had the pleasure of listening to. I only discovered this CD by accident, but I would urge anyone who actually has a clue about music to buy it!

From the particuarly notable rendition of "The Rose" (performed far better than Westlife, it must be said), through the extremely powerful cover of R.Kelly's "I believe I can Fly", with it's frankly awesome crescendos, to the perfectly harmonised interpretation of Leann Rimes' "You Light Up My Life", Bianca's voice never fails to astound. It really is almost inconceivable that this power and emotion is emanating from a girl only just on the edge-of-teen years!

Bianca's voice will melt your heart. This is an album which will continue to delight and amaze long after Bianca herself has grown up. Truly fantastic.

When I found out Bianca had released a CD, I got a copy right away. I was already impressed with her on America's Got Talent, so I was expecting great things. I was not disappointed at all with her work, and after repeated listenings, it just keeps getting better. The shining track of course is And I am Telling You I'm Not Going, which is done extremely well and is compounded by the fact of her young age. Of the remakes, that one stands head and shoulders above the rest. The other non remakes are very good and like I said before, get better with repeated listenings. I look forward to see what the future holds for this amazing young lady.

I think Bianca Ryan is one of the best singers and i had to buy the cd the first day it came out. My favorite songs are "You Light Up My Life" and "Superstar",but all the songs on the cd are good. I will be giving this CD as a holiday gift.