Customer Reviews

Fumbling Towards Ecstasy Legacy Edition

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

You may be wondering exactly what you are getting with this "Legacy" edition of Fumbling Towards Ecstasy. It amounts to unaltered versions of Fumbling Towards Ecstasy and The Freedom Sessions [EP] along with a DVD that matches track for track with the 1994 release of Fumbling Towards Ecstasy: Live as listed on Sarah McLachlan's discography page. In other words there's nothing new here. Most people will already own some or all of these if they have been longtime Sarah fans. However the three items are bundled at a really good price if you don't have any of these yet.

If you do not already on these, you have been missing out. Fumbling Towards Ecstasy has the song that propelled Sarah into prominence, and of course is Possession. The entire CD is great, but rather than rehash what so many others have already said so well would point you to the reviews on the page from the link above. The same can be said for The Freedom Sessions. There's less information on the DVD as I'm not sure if the product Amazon has marked as a 2005 release is indeed the same as what's offered here. However, there are a few songs on the DVD from prior CDs, and all of the performances have the subtle nuances that you would expect in a live performance. It is not a simple recreation of the studio edition on the stage.

The one thing that would have been nice to add would be Sarah's reflections today on the CD that made her the raging success she is today. However this is consistent with what she has done for many years in favoring repackaging of previous work (remixes, live, etc.) over new. For new fans this will be a great pickup, but longtime fans won't find anything new.

From what I've read, Sarah McLachlan plans to cut ties with her record label and go independent. However, she does have a contract, which may suggest the reasoning for this edition of "Fumbling Towards Ecstasy" and the "Mirrorball: The Complete Concert" 2CD package that was released about a year ago... or perhaps it is a way for her current record label to get more money by repackaging two of her biggest records before she leaves. This marketing strategy has created a small stir amongst fans, which you may see in future reviews of this item. She is also releasing a greatest hits collection in October but this release will feature 2 new, original songs.

As for content, "Fumbling Towards Ecstasy" is a must-have album for McLachlan fans... best known as her "breakthrough album." This edition comes with the remastered album (Disc 1). It also includes "The Freedom Sessions" album (Disc 2) that showcases early versions of the songs from "Fumbling" along with a cover of Tom Waits Ol'55. Both original albums had hidden tracks that are now easily accessible on this Legacy Edition. The third disc is actually a DVD transfer from the original home video release of "Fumbling Towards Ecstasy: Live," which showcases songs from "Fumbling" as well as songs from her previous two albums. The video contains live and in-studio performances with snippets of Sarah talking with her producer/co-writer and band. The "Fumbling" EPK (electronic press kit), music videos, and slide show are presented as bonus features.

If you are a Sarah fan, I'm sure you are looking at this product to see what this edition has to offer. Most fans will either buy to collect or replace their scratched-up original copy... and some will pass once they see there is nothing new to this Legacy Edition.

If you are new to Sarah, I would recommend picking up this edition because all discs are worth having and you would save on the price... unless you pick them up used here on Amazon. If you are a vintage collector, you should pick up the original releases because there is nothing here exclusive besides expanded packaging. The original "Freedom Sessions" album did have a fun multimedia feature for your computer, which isn't available in this Legacy Edition.

Compared to its population, Canada is blessed with a disproportionate great number of talented performance artists - and Sarah McLachlan is one of the best examples.
Maybe they are inspired by the endless expanses of the Great North and the blandness of the Toronto sprawl; maybe it is the eternal adolescence of the Canadian psyche or the freshly disillusioned naiveté of a nation of great poets and dreamers bordering a militaristic giant. Who knows...

Sarah McLachlan is a GREAT SINGER. And this is her BEST ALBUM! I have FUMBLING TOWARDS ECSTASY (together with all her albums) since my university years - God bless the DUE SOUTH TV Series that exposed me to her absolutely haunting voice! I have been playing it numerous times over the years, one could not get tired of this collection. The pieces are all gems, from start to finish! The music speaks directly to the soul, such poetic lyrics are so hard to find anymore and Sarah's voice will haunt you forever...

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!

The video documentary disc is the real jewel in this 3-pack. I gifted this set so I don't recall if the Freedom Sessions disc included all the rom-interactive features like the copy I bought singly back in the 1990's. Nevertheless, the Freedom song versions are just one more way to enjoy a landmark collection of great tunes.

I would actually give this album a 3.5 out of 5 stars for little reasons that are to do with my own expectations in music, but Sarah delivers very nicely with this album. Possession, Ice Cream, and a couple others are among my favorites wit this album. Sarah's album "surfacing" is perfect in my opinion, while her two albums that came prior to "Fumbling towards Ecstasy" seemed less interesting, yet nonetheless recognized her talent. I would recommend this album for anyone who enjoys adult contemporary music, and where this genre collides with pop music.

This was my very first CD after I finally decided to quit buying tapes. I had only heard one song, Good Enough, and decided to give it a try. Perfection. Haunting melodies and deep lyrics. Personally, I connect the songs Good Enough, Fear and Fumbling Towards Ecstacy together. The pain, the fear and the taking a chance again. This is a must have if you are a Sarah fan.

All songs from this CD are wonderful! The other CD and the DVD are special as well! Worth buying!

I bought the original version in '94 and have made this part of my permanent often-listened collection. This "is" by far, one of the very best produced albums in music history. Sarah made Marchand's job easy by writing such superior music. This is an etherealistly-organized, mayhemic venture of the mind, heart and soul of Ms. McLachlan. I have never heard a song like Fear that brings to you the subtle realization of personal ownership in overcoming a tragedy in a relationship. The song Fumbling is an epic endeavor that offers a fantastic sense of personal accomplishment. And the solo version of Possession takes you to yet another place that many of us never get to experience, and if you ever have, you are definitely on cue when what she has to deliver. Making a pass on this album deprives you a not-so-often chance to hear something really special. And the funny thing is, I'm a guy who really loves hard rock-n-roll. Hey, I like great music. Buy it!

Can't go wrong with Sarah. The CD's are great. I needed to replace one slightly "overused" cd in my set with these songs. Enjoyed the DVD also, which I'd seen before. I wish she'd come out with a new CD, a new set of songs and a current DVD. It is time!

discovered sarah before fumbling....I have never heard a sarah song I did not like...She is in a category all of her own..I still listen to Fumbling all the time...it will never get old...a masterpiece from a genius.