Most Helpful Customer Reviews
18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Pop/Jazz Songs for Midnight, April 3, 2005
This review is from: Let There Be Love (Audio CD)
Imagine being stressed out after a long day. You just want to mellow out with a little wine and an understated collection of soothing ballads blended with a little jazz and just a hint of country. Johnny Mathis? Nat King Cole? Two good choices. How about the King of Romance, Engelbert Humperdinck? No way, you think, his voice is too strong, too dramatic. The total musical experience would be overpowering, and I just want to drift into the music, not drown. Don't worry, not with this CD. "Let There Be Love" is a hauntingly beautiful, softly-sung eclectic mix of ballads that are a radical departure from Humperdinck's forty-year body of work. He really takes some chances with this CD, and most of it works. I was stunned how carefully he controlled his still powerful baritone and made no attempt to dominate the lyrics or the tempo of any of the ballads. "With You I'm Born Again" is just incredible and "There's No Good In Goodbye" is going to become an instant classic. There is a smoky, pop/jazz tone to the CD, but it's subtle and several of the tracks have a distinct, country flavor to them. The only reason I don't give this CD five stars is that Engelbert doesn't always sound in sync with some of the synthesized instruments, but it doesn't lessen the CD"s appeal. And there's nothing wrong with Engelbert's voice. It's still strong, and his phrasing and sense of timimg is flawless. If there's a little raspiness, so what? You have to really listen for it, and it only adds to his mystique at age sixty-nine. I wouldn't call this an experimental album, but it's clearly an unusual choice for one of the greatest pop vocalists of all time. Buy it and listen to it at least twice before you pass judgment on it. It would be easy for someone of Humperdinck's stature to just cover his classic hits or okay another compilation, but he doesn't do that. The King of Romance is still growing musically and artistically at an age when most of his contemporaries are long retired. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Each album gets better than the last, April 23, 2005
This review is from: Let There Be Love (Audio CD)
I admit, the first song on this album was unusual for Engelbert. That is probably the reason there are some negative reviews. But, all the songs on this album grow on you. Some of the songs are instant hits, and I find myself singing along as I drive down the highway - and smiling, not believing how amazingly beautiful Engelbert still sounds. These songs are my favorite: When You Say Nothing at All, With You I'm Born Again, Three Words Ain't Enough, We're All Alone, Love Songs, Have You Ever Really Loved a Woman?, My Confession. "My Confession" is a spectacular closing song. Rarely does one album have so many great songs. I can listen to this album over and over - endlessly.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
engelbert's new one, November 5, 2005
This review is from: Let There Be Love (Audio CD)
actually i never listened to any engelberts music untill i heard a track from this album on the radio and was impressed!!this is really a good vocal album with some ballads some country and some jazzy stuff great late night listening!!a bit simmilar to the rick astley album"portrait".great stuff mr humperdink!
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
|
|
Most Recent Customer Reviews
|