Customer Reviews

Let There Be Love

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

 

 

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!

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.

First of all, I have been listening to Engelbert since I first heard him sing "Am I That Easy to Forget" in 1968. I was 4 at the time. Second, this is NOT a jazz CD. Engelbert covers several genres, as usual, and makes them all uniquely his.
If anything, his voice keeps getting better. Sure, there is a SLIGHT rasp on some parts, but tell me you wouldn't have that at his age!! The production quality, the overall "sound" are fantastic.
Just buy it and judge for yourself. Engelbert has done what few artists do at this stage in their careers: he's taken a chance. Not a huge one, but a slightly new direction. And more than anything, he STILL cares!! As much as I love Elvis, you could hear he was getting bored. Not so with Engelbert! And when music is made with care and love, it shows!!
And, just so you know, Engelbert has recorded jazz and songs from the great American songbook before. Check out the 2 CD set "Collectors Gold", recorded in the mid 80s, but I am not sure. It, too, is outstanding!

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!

I bought this new CD of Engelbert's. "Let There Be Love."
Enjoy, enjoy ! A bit different style, songs I had not heard him
sing before.
Gotta give Enge credit, he does new material, in a new style, and it comes off on top.
The song that I like most,"Have you really ever loved a woman?"
Wow........ that one make the goosebumps stand up.
I've heard several of the songs on this CD, by other artists in the past. But hearing Enge do them, in a style that is his own,
gives the listener a new pleasure. kp

Engelbert Humperdinck has been around for almost 40 years delighting his fans the globe over. And now with this his new cd, he has hit another home run. Laid back and fully in charge, Engelbert shows us why he is the King of Romance with this Jazz/Pop infused album. Several songs will become classics, such as "Love Songs" just beautiful, "There's No Good In Goodbye" a gem of a song, "My Confession" a new Enge classic, "With You I'm Born Again" an excellent song that will surely become a staple of Engelbert's concerts. Every song is performed with simple yet beautiful arrangements. A little Jazz mixed with Pop, this is a bold new step for Engelbert, and a good choice. Hopefully it will find a new public. I highly recommend this start of a new Engelbert era!

Engelbert once again serves up an ACE. I am more convinced than ever before that this man is in a class by himself. Yea, Sinatra, Bennet, Damone, Black, have set the vocal stage for many years, but this Man is by Far the best singer to grace this planet in the last hundred years. He can sing Celine songs,Gospel songs,Christmas songs and God knows, he is to Love songs, what Mercedes-Benz is to Cars.

Buy the album, better yet buy all of his works like I have done and then boast of having the finest collection of songs ever sung.

Ed Gibbons
Little Silver, New Jersey

In Engelberts long and distinguished career he has sang a variety of styles and genres and most are very good and have his unique touch on them, this is not one. This CD does have a light jazz- easy listening feel to it as if Eng were to stand by a piano under a dim light and sing a few songs that Sinatra would have done or lightly sing through a few popular tunes then this Cd may be for you. The best song on this one is There's No Good in Goodbyes with the runner up being My Confession. The rest are somewhat forgettable which is rare when you are talking about the unforgettable voice of Engelbert. He has a huge catalog of great songs- this is just not one of his better ones.

Engelbert's voice now has a deeper, slightly rougher tone that helps in even better expressing emotions. The choice of songs were excellent, my favorites being Let There Be Love and My Confession. I can listen to this cd everyday.

Intimate, close-up vocals accompanied by the earthy sounds of a talented laid-back combo - a fresh approach to well-loved standards. If you're a fan, you'll want this appealing CD.