Customer Reviews

Kiri Sings Kern: Dame Kiri TeKanawa

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I am the first to admit that most "crossover" albums, be they of classical performers singing pop or vice versa never quite cross over. This album does splendidly. Kern's music is the most related to classical operetta , and therefore the least jazziest. Operatic soprano Kiri Te Kanawa gives luscious, heartfelt readings of these wonderful songs, backed by glamorous orchestrations. Hearing a voice of such opulence and beauty in this music is a rare treat. Just listen to "Smoke Gets In Your Eyes" ,"Long Ago and Far Away" or "The Song is You" and prepare to be swept away to another, more elegant time.

Sometimes cross-over works, sometimes not. While Kiri te Kanawa has a beautiful voice, she never gets into the idiom of these Jerome Kern masterpieces sufficiently to convey their stories or their subtleties. Smoke Gets in Your Eyes especially stands out, she sings it with none of the pathos the song demands and her version pales compared to the Platters. The orchestral arrangements are decent and in many of the songs the purity of her voice is enough to carry them, but overall I would say this is a disappointing example of a crossover record. Ms. te Kanawa should stick to what she does best.

I love the way she sings Kern's songs. Though certainly not opera, Kern's songs benefit from an an operatic approach--not all of them, but certainly ones such Smoke gets in your Eyes, The song is you, All the things you are. I love Kern;s songs sung in many styles but Kiri's way is one of the best.

On the other hand, I did not like Kiri singing Berlin.

Though I do enjoy Kiri's interpretation of most music, and this CD was decent, I did not find any piece particularly memorable.

The voice is undeniably beautiful, and Kiri has managed to keep her maturing voice sounding somewhat young, yet I find that I much prefer her rendition of "The Laughing Song" to that of "Smoke Gets in YOur Eyes."

If you love Kern, and couldn't care less who performs it, than purchase this CD. If you are a fan of Kiris', then perhaps it would be best to avoid this purchase...for it is not a shining star in her vast collection of CDs. All in all, it was a disappointment.

Favorite all-time cd - the passion and emotion evolving from Kiri's incredible singing makes my day. Great CD a must buy - even my husband who doesn't like "chick music" loves this cd.

I like the songs on this disc. In my opinion, Kern was a more fecund tune writer than Cole Porter with a greater gift for indelible melody. These songs are beautiful and nostalgic. But it's hard to ignore the skimpy playing time (45 minutes), more characteristic of a jazz or pop album, as is the recording of Kiri's voice. Kiri's mouth seems to be right on the microphone and is heavily amplified. This almost forces her into a suave croon which grows tiresome. I would have preferred a more natural, acoustical reproduction of the voice.

Before the advent of lapel microphones singers on the musical stage had to learn to project the voice just like opera singers still do. There was no fudging, no "style," and no fakery. That's the kind of singing that Kern wrote his music for. His best ballads, full of beauty, subtlety and delicious harmonies work best with that approach. After listening to several new compilations of Kerns songs this album strikes me as a refreshing gift to fans of the composers' work. Many of his greatest songs are included except for, unaccountably, "They didn't believe me" which has always been one of my favorites. Perhaps Te Kanawa's approach is too straightforward for some listeners but, knowing that Kern hated Jazz, this direct approach surely would have pleased him. In any case the creamy beauty of Kiri's voice is recommendation enough by itself. This is a keeper.

Kiri sings Kern as if it were written for her. Wonderful recording. I recommend it to all who love Kiri and Kern. You'll not be disappointed.

To hear Jerome Kern music performed the way it should be performed is indeed a wonderful experience. This is a lovely recording by Kiri with the wonderful voice. The orchestra and singer are simply the best.

Thank you.

Kiri is sensational on this CD. Jerome Kern music is stupendous and the arrangements superb. Three top esses.