Customer Reviews

In Dreams

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

 

 

I hear this young guy started out 2 years ago as Oliver playing alongside the original screen Fagin Ron Moody. I then saw him in the British BBC TV's opera as The Little Prince and he was just as strange, slightly scary and mysterious as in the book, plus he looked just like I imagined from the drawings. There's a great album of that too. But this album of songs is well worth having; he's got a voice like one of these choir boy stars, bit much much better as it's purity also has a shed-load of character too. We'll be seeing more of him I reckon, on the stage and in films, as he can act as well as sing. Buy it.

Generally, I don't like buying CDs unless I've had a chance to preview them first -- something I was unable to do through Amazon.com on this one. However, I was able to preview some tracks on his website, and bought this album based on that.

I have found this to be a most delightful album. Joseph's voice -- although not classically trained and lacking a vibrato -- is pure, angelic and crystal clear, his diction is impeccable and he remains on pitch throughout the album. The album itself has a somewhat Celtic and spiritual flavor to it. I especially enjoyed his plaintive renditon of "Where Is Love," as well as "Walking in the Air" and "Candlelight Carol." The bonus track, "Sally Gardens," was my favorite and nearly sent chills up and down my spine!

My only concern is if he does not develop a vibrato by the time his voice changes. While a straight voice sounds angelic on a boy soprano, it would sound flat on a mature voice. However, I believe that, with the proper training, Joseph McManners has quite a future ahead of him. In the meantime, enjoy the purity and innocence of this album!

First, please read M. Hoffman's 3 star review. Much of what he states is true, although somewhat overstated. However, what Hoffman sees as a negative, I see as a positive. I too like a "pure boy soprano" and I too have been in a choir. However, sometimes I prefer to listen to the unmistakable tone of a BOY'S voice -- especially one as fantastic and well enunciated as this one. (Yes, I think understanding the singer's words a plus). And do not be mislead. Sure there are moments when a well trained singer can see that McManners is not especially "soprano trained." But who cares? His voice is wonderful, his tone is clear and right on, and I take great delight in his singing. (I do not need to be listening to voices like those of Connor Burrowes, or Anthoney Way all the time). McManners' voice is more like that of Paul Dutton. (And sometimes I'd rather be listening to a simple arrangement of a beautiful boy's voice rather than the 'mega' arrangements like those of Boys Air Choir, or Liberia. Heck, I even enjoy the CD 'Dreamland' and the wonderful voice of Michael Junior [Michael Verschuere]).

I took a chance on this CD after reading the 5 star reviews and am very glad that I did.

It is before his voice changes. He still has that sweet (hope he is not reading this)voice that he is famous for. I wish he could have made more CD's in his younger days. This is one you want to get ahold of as he will never sound exactly like this again and be able to hit those high notes very much longer. Treasure this one. Fantastic is about it.

amazing young voice, 'different' sound, ethereal experience. so fitting that he sang in 'the little prince' as someone from another planet. intense.

I am seldom interested in this type of music,but this particular cd has very peacefull music, if you can overlook that he is a kid, then this is the cd for you, this kids amazing talent and voice speaks volumes and it is a pleasure to listen to his singing.

He has a very beautiful voice, he's one lucky guy to be born with a somewhat distinct sound. His voice sounds more like a 9 or 10 yr old, not 12 when most boys' voices start maturing before the break. He sings very well - tone is great, enunciation and phrasing good, and you can tell he was not formally trained - in a refreshing way, especially since he doesn't use the yawning throaty sound and annoying vibrato like many classically trained singers.

The only thing is, the album is too melancholy and gives off a constantly yearning feel. He can't seem to get what he so very deeply desires. The voice is so youthful - the energetic tracks are missing. And it would have been refreshing to have a couple of less known tracks, as I have about a dozen different versions of almost all the songs on it - all by boy singers.

What makes him different is his distinctly innocent treble voice - will we hear of him after his voice breaks? After all, he doesn't have any special style, anything new to add to the music industry other than his treble voice.

Having been a classically-trained boy soprano myself, I have always enjoyed listening to the crystal-clear tones of boys' choirs and especially solo sopranos. But if you're looking for that kind of voice here, you won't find it. While Joseph McManners has a sweet voice, the absence of classical training is evident and his voice sounds more like any other little boy singing. I'm not sorry I bought this cd, but it will never become one of my favorites. There is one quality in his singing that I actually found to be annoying: he over-pronounces every syllable. While every voice student can remember hearing from his teachers and choir directors, "Enunciate! Enunciate! Enunciate!" - especially when singing on a stage to an audience of hundreds or thousands, you really need to pull back on that when working in a recording studio and the mic is a quarter-inch from your face and your sounds go directly to the track. Joseph's diction is a little too over-perfect and got to be grating. So I'd rate this is as just "okay". If you're looking for the typical classical sound of the boy soprano voice, don't bother with this one. But if you're okay with listening to a little boy sing some nice songs, you'll probably like it well enough.

You should buy this album. It's very nice and Joseph sang nice. The chorus was beautiful. I really like track 1, track 3, and track 8. But, overall it's great and worth.