Customer Reviews

I Believe / Chain of Fools / Summertime

5 star:		(569)
4 star:		(43)
3 star:		(28)
2 star:		(25)
1 star:		(136)

 

 

It is too early to tell if Fantasia Barrino will be the most successful American Idol winner to date, but at least this CD-Single gets the 19-year-old singer off to a good start. In addition to the official "American Idol 3" single "I Believe" Fantasia sings both "Chain of Fools" and "Summertime." All three of these songs are ones that she did on the show, so the first plus here is that we get the entire version of the latter two songs and not the mini-versions contestants are forced to sing. Plus, you have the advantage one being an Aretha Franklin standard and the other a classic written by George Gershwin.

My only complain with "I Believe" is the same I had with the first "American Idol" CD-Single for Kelly Clarkson, which is that I actually prefer the emotional touch of the official song sung on the show to the polished studio version. That is the memory I have of watching "American Idol" the last week of season three. The woman feeds off of her audience and dollars to donuts she will always come across better live than in the studio. On "Chain of Fools" big props to the producer, who comes up with a funkier beat for the classic, which makes it easier for Fantasia to provide her own take on the song (note how she powers through on the final note of the bridge). "Summertime" is one of the great American songs of all-time and the contrast between Fantasia's vocals versus the string section and the rest of the jazz bits is nice, although I would probably strip down the instrumentation even more to focus on the voice even more.

So you have one gospel, one R&B, and one jazz song for this debut solo effort, which reinforces the range of what Fantasia is going to be able to do in the future. Plus by having three tracks instead of two this is the best "American Idol" CD-Single to date. Final Note: Just be sure that you pick up this CD-Single and not the one with "I Believe" and "Dreams," because this is clearly the one that you want.

Just got the single today after hearing some clips on iTunes. These songs really are perfected and her energy and personality really come out. Today my favorite is "Summertime". By the end of the week it may be "I Believe" or "Chain of Fools"; all of the songs are really good. Looking forward to a video for "I Believe". If you haven't got the single, I recommend you get it. Chances are you'll eventually get it anyway once you hear the songs on the radio; It's that excellent!

EXCELLENT......A must have

First let me say I have read these one star reviews, and have come to the conclusion that they are all written by committee. How many times can one say squeaky, or Donald Duck? Puhleez haters try a little originality, or just say what you really mean. "I am scared that Fantasia may obscure the celebrity of ........" and then fill in the blank of your favorite loser! The show is over, idol found, and this year it's Fantasia. Her cd is amazing. Yes, I Believe is a bit trite, but Ms. Fantasia revs it up, kicks it up a notch and delivers a tour de force performance. Chain of Fools will make the Queen of Soul take notice, Summertime is Fantasia's calling card, and she can't be denied! So all you one star people, you might as well get use to it, cause Fantasia is the best thing to come out of North Carolina since........ Michael Jordan! Sadly, I think you know it, and that is why you are here en masse!

All three of these songs were performed better live on American Idol. Fantasia has not been served well by bad production and worse arrangements on her first studio release. Particularly disappointing is the instrumentation for "Summertime." Did they think her moving rendition of this song on "Idol" was too bluesy and should be tricked out? Her voice is still there, but where's the sweet vulnerability that made the audience fall in love with her? Where's the power that awed us? I hope someone out there will know how to treat Ms. Barrino's astounding talent with more sensitivity and respect when she records her first full album. And she deserves a better photographer too.

Because I liked both Fantasia and Diana. I have tried to may my review objective, which I think is missing from the reviewers who gave her CD a 1-star rating.

Both Fantasia and Diana have totally different voices, but I consider them both really good singers. I do think Fantasia should have won American Idol because she has a more versatile range and a more interesting voice. Not sure what all the comments about the screeching is about. If this is true the statements of some of the commentators would apply to the style of Patti Labelle, Christina Aguilera and even Aretha Franklin herself. All these singers have their own style and can tend to "screech" but each of these singers is also an original. As Paula would say, Fantasia takes any song and "makes it her own." Definitely not a cookie-cutter type voice, which is why I think she deserved to win.

Comments and Ratings of the Songs:

---I Believe (3.5 stars) - Nice song. Like many commenters I do think the AI version on TV was better. The "live" version gave me chills it was so good. This version is good but I do think some of the passion of the TV rendition is missing.

---Chain of Fools (3.75 stars) - This one I initially thought was Okay. I think I am still much influenced by Aretha's version. After listening to it a few times, it is a very nice rendition. The arrangement is different, so if you are looking for a note-by-note version of ARetha's this is not it. This has more of a hip-hop arrangement instead of the Classic Soul type arrangement. I like it now, but you do have to listen to it a few times. LIke many commenters, I think she does need to lose some of the "yeah, yeah's." These can be distracting and you find yourself listening for them.

---Summertime (5 stars) - This is Fantastic. If you watched AI the entire season, you know she sang this song twice. I liked the first time she sang it the best. The arrangement then was slower and more bluesy. The version on the CD is like the second time she sang it. The tempo is faster and has more of a jazzy feel. Either version is fantastic and I think Fantasia could sing this song 10 different ways and they would ALL sound good. This is probably going to be her trademark song. Eiither version by Fantasia is a 5-star rating.

This 3-song CD is a definite BUY. I hate waiting for the Fall for her full CD release. Great Job.

In my eyes, Fantasia single handedly legitimized the entire world of reality televison. The endless hours of mind numbing agony are worth it if they produce just one singer of Fantasia's calibre. I wish her every success in her life & career.

This is an excellent CD! At 19 years old, this woman is so talented that Hollywood took notice. Celebrities such as Kate Hudson, Denzel Washington, Toni Braxton, Patti Labelle, Ben Stiller, Elton John, Clive Davis, Ray Ramono etc., sing her praises. Fantasia wraps each song around her and delivers it with such conviction it seems as if she is singing just for you. She has a voice that pulls you in from the very beginning and leaves you wanting more. "I Believe" brings chills to my body and tears to my eyes. Even though I didn't like the words of the song initially, you can't help but love it after she is done. "Chain of Fools" is a great song to pick your mood up and get you dancing, even though I would have loved to hear Tina Turner's "Fool in Love." "Summertime" is just phenomenal. This CD is well worth every cent.

In the words of TKAEAGLE:

"She's a new age hybrid combination of Billie Holiday, Aretha, Tina, Patti, an early Diana Ross, Lena Horne, Gladys Night (more for soulfulness than voice match), Natalie Cole, Nell Carter, and early Ella. Cream always rises to the top in due time, this lady is a specially talented individual. Fantasia is the real deal based on talent, desire, and emotions, not by gimmicks, lip sinking, trendiness, publicity stunts, and the like."

Just sit back and let Fantasia's talent engulf and wash over you!

Fantasia's performances on American Idol showed her to be an extremely versatiile performer. Excelling especially in soul, jazz, r&b, gospel and even country. In her own words, 'she can sing pop but she is not a pop singer'. She is a soul-blues-rock singer out of the old school tradition. Only 20 years old, i have to ask, where did she learn to sing like THAT? She can't be faulted for the musical arrangement of her debut CD. It was given to her that way. She does a mighty fine job of overcoming the weak lyrics of I Believe and the canned musical track of Chain of Fools. Summertime is just perfect otherwise. She shows her gospel roots on I Believe, her soul flavor on Chain of Fools and her jazz flavor on Summertime.

As regards to the complaint of 'screeching', the technique is employed sparingly on I Believe only. If screeching is considered a flaw, then she is in good company with Tina Turner, Aretha, Patti Labelle, Janis Joplin, Al Green, Joe Cocker and Ray Charles. I would LOVE to hear her 'screech' out some rock 'n roll.

This man knows talent. He has discovered Whitney Houston, Alicia Keys (just to name a couple) so when he told fantasia that he would have signed her if he'd seen her performing in a basement in Kansas, that was a testament to the true that this girl has.

I Believe - Simply WONDERFUL, she takes this song and makes it soar HIGHER AND HIGHER!!!!

Chain of Fools - Done totally fantasia style, it has a hip and jazzy beat it makes you want to move even if you don't want to.

Summertime - Relaxing, moving, captivating all in one package.

This CD single has it all, gospel, jazz and cool blues. I LOVE IT!!!!!!!