Customer Reviews

Into Paradise

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is a lovely collection of semi-classical and light pop which does a good job of showcasing Sissel's lovely voice. I especially enjoyed "In Paradisum" and "Vitae Lux". The album ends with a lovely version of Andersson & Ulvaeus' "Like An Angel Passing Through My Room", a lullaby originally sung by Anni-frid Lyngstad on ABBA's farewell album "The Visitors" (not Agnetha Faltskog as I originally thought - Thanks to Jeff R. Dunn for the correction). If anything, this version is even more beautiful than Frida's already lovely original, taken slower, much more expressively and evoking an even deeper sense of loss.

I managed to get the UK edition of this CD which contains 4 additional songs: "What Child Is This", "The Sleeping Princess", "Sally Gardens", and "Ave Verum Corpus" but omits "Bereden Vag For Herran" and "Adagio". I do wish her recording company would standardize the editions. From the beginning, her albums have always been tailored for particular markets with the result that no single edition is definitive. While "Into Paradise" is the so-called international release, there exist different versions of it which add or omit certain tracks. And "Into Paradise" is just the companion album to her main 2005 release "Nordisk Vinternatt", a collection of Scandinavian folksongs centering around winter and advent. "Nordisk Vinternatt" released in Denmark, Norway and Sweden between Nov/Dec 2005, has the exact same cover design as "Into Paradise" although the contents are totally unrelated. Unfortunately like her other Nordic albums, it is only available in Scandinavia. I do wish the studio would realise that there is a market for her Nordic albums internationally. As it is, finding them is difficult and prices are exorbitant. Fine as her English language albums are, personally I much prefer hearing her in her native tongue. Songs and albums in English are a dime a dozen. But how often do you get to hear songs sung in Norwegian, Danish, Swedish or Icelandic and with such delicate beauty and dulcet tones. Those are her albums I treasure most.

Sissel has been all over the musical map, but with this album, really finds the spot where she belongs with the audience outside of Scandinavia.
Even with the unique gift that is her voice, the pop versions of Nordic traditional songs that she sang earlier in her career would only take her so far. Her pairing with PBS a few years ago opened her up to a large new audience, but she was singing Grade B or C pop songs. Her new repertoire has favored some classical and neo-classical chestnuts (not unlike Josh Groban) and these works have really worked better with her vocal instrument.
I've LOVED Sissel ever since I first heard her sing with the Chieftains and have waited for her to sing material that suits her exceptional voice. I am happy to report that this latest album puts her right about where she belongs.

Yes, I am a Sissel fan, and have all of her US releases, and a few imports as well. I am writing this review for those who are not yet Sissel fans. "Into Paradise" is exactly that, one of the best discs in years with a classical flavor. Everything about this release is first rate, from song selection right down to disc mastering. Sissel seems to find herself on this disc. Her first US release was pop songs, the second release a mix of pop and classical. Don't get me wrong they were both pretty good albums, but not a five star performance like this one. I really love the arrangements on many of the selections, and the string solos are wonderful. I am not a classical music fan, most of my music collection is pop and classic rock. I agree with Sissel, anybody who loves beautiful music will enjoy this album.

Tracklist:
1. Dusk (Velkomne Med Aera)
2. Bachianas Brasileiras
3. Wachet Auf, Ruft Uns Die Stimme (Sleepers Awake)
4. Dido's Lament
5. In Paradisum (Into Paradise)
6. Sancta Maria
7. Vitae Lux
8. Ingen Vinner Frem
9. Bereden Väg för Herran*
10. Marble Halls
11. Adagio
12. Like An Angel Passing Through My Room

Sissel has outdone herself once again... From the haunting melody of "Dusk" that opens the album to the final note of "Like An Angel Passing Through My Room," it is a journey of many musical colors. This is the kind of album you need to take 45 minutes out of your day to listen to... To just relax and soothe your soul.

Sissel's voice always seems to have a healing effect on me and the tasteful arrangements of these songs suit her voice perfectly!

*This song is previously available on "Nordisk Vinternatt"... what I would call the sister album to "Into Paradise" released a few months ago, containing wintery folk songs that complement these selections very well.

If you enjoy this album, also check out her many previous releases. "Into Paradise" will also soon be released in the UK with four additional tracks ("What Child Is This", "The Sleeping Princess", "Salley Gardens", and "Ave Verum Corpus") not available on this version (But don't feel too bad... this version has two tracks that the UK one will not.)

since I first heard her perform at the olympic games in lillehammer I've been a huge fan of sissel...and now with "into paradise" she delivers one of her best works by far...a vast variety of styles...all presented in that unique cristalline voice that makes her so special...
my favourites are "dusk" with it's haunting sound and music...and "like an angel passing through my room" - originally by ABBA on their 1982 album "the visitors"...she delivers a dazzeling performance - she can in every way compete with the original...
little diamonds apart from the 2 mentioned above are "dido's lament", "in paradisum" and "marble halls"...
if you have the chance to lay your hands on this collection of brilliant songs - take your chance and buy it...you won't regret it...

I was first made aware of this CD by "Book and Music Lover" while reading through the reviews of Charlotte Church's "Tissues and Issues." "Book and Music Love" recommended Sissel's "Into Paradise" CD. I fell in love with it just by listening to the excerpts, and when amazon.com had a special sale on it, I took that opportunity to nab it!

This is a truly wonderful CD that combines Sissel's beautiful, bell-like voice, diverse repertoire and beautiful orchestrations. I especially loved "Dusk" and her wordless interpretation of the non-choral parts of "Wachet Auf, Ruft Uns Die Stimme," as well as "In Paradisum," "Sancta Maria," "Ingen Vinner Frem" and "Adagio." All in all, very satisfying. Definitely worth buying.

To say that Sissel has the voice of an angel might sound trite. It would also be true. If I were an angle I would be honored that someone thought my voice was as clear, as beautiful, as haunting as Sissels.

"Into Paradise" is a great mix of a variety of music from many sources all of which Sissel handles with ease. To me the most haunting are the Norwegian folk tunes.
This is my first Sissel album. I got it after seeing her preform with the Salt Lake City Choir on TV. I have no idea where it fits with her albums, but I do know that once you've heard Sissel you'll love this album.

Sissel never ceases to amaze me with her haunting voice and outstanding vocal control. I love the last track of this album, "Like an Angel Passing Through". It's a beautiful lullaby coupled with the beautiful voice of Sissel. I love great artists who do not try to bring too much attention to their voices by over singing and Sissel just simply sings with a God-given talent that is superb. This is an album you can definitely listen to over and over again. It doesn't get old.

This is the UK release of Sissel's album, which features recordings not included on the US release. Beautiul selection.

1. Vitae Lux
2. In Paradisum
3. Sancta Maria
4. Bachianas Brasileiras
5. Dido's Aria
6. Wachet Auf Ruft Uns Die Stimme Mwv 140
7. Dusk
8. Ingen vinner frem
9. What Child is This?
10. Marble Halls
11. The Sleeping Princess (Re-recording)
12. Salley Gardens
13. Ave Verum
14. Like an Angel Passing Through

"Into Paradise" by Norwegian vocalist Sissel shows why she has become such a popular vocalist not only in Norway, but all over the world.

"In Paradisum," "Dido's Aria," "Wachet Auf Ruft Uns Die Stimme Bwv 140," "Sancta Maria," "Vitae Lux," and other songs show the sweetness and flexibility of her voice. No matter the type of song, the composer, or when the song was written, Sissel makes each song stand out and draws the listerner in to enjoying the moment.

This is a wonderful record recorded by a wonderful, talented artist.