Customer Reviews

Lost In The Stars

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

 

 

I'm a fan of Chanticleer. I like their ability to sing so many styles of music well. I like their musical savvy. This recording just struck me as a knock-off. "Let's do some Broadway Hits and see how it turns out." I have no real qualm with falsetto singing or countertenors; I generally like them if they are appropriate for the music. However, the sopranos of Broadway are generally female and as such have a totally different tone than a male falsetto or countertenor. The music that was written for Broadway (whether for male or female voice)requires a tone quality that is fuller and generally more "gutsy" than a falsetto or countertenor can provide. I felt the pieces which should have heart and soul were just insipid.

Sorry guys, but it did not work for me. I gave this recording away. I would never consider doing that with any of my other Chanticleer recordings. The ensemble was up to its usual technical form, however.

Like "A Music Fan", I too had problems with this
album on first hearing, in fact on the first several
hearings. Something about the arrangements seemed
just a little "off" to me. I wasn't used to hearing
these great American classics done Chanticleer's
way.

But for some reason, I played it on occasion,
and gradually the greatness of the whole work
overtook my uneasiness. Now, it's one of my
favorite CD's. Listening to it is so soothing and
uplifting that I just can't stop playing it.

The song selections are some of the best available
in the vast Great American Song Book. The composers
are among the greatest ever: Cole Porter, Hoagy
Carmichael, Johnny Mercer, Kurt Weill, etc. And
Chanticleer's voices are simply transcendent. This
album provides the opportunity to experience a new
appreciation for songs you may have never cared too
much about, and a deeper appreciation for those you
already like.

My favorite tracks are "Night and Day", "In the
Still of the Night", and the title song, "Lost In
the Stars". Some are done a capella, and some with
full orchestras. Most have the classical sound
that Chanticleer specializes in, but a few have a
touch of the swing sound slightly reminiscent
of "The Manhatten Transfer". Of the 13 tracks, four
were written by Cole Porter ... five actually. There's
a two song medley, "It's De-Lovely/All Through the
Night", that kicks off the album.

That's enough for now. I must get back to listening
to Chanticleer again.

I have to admit that on the first playing, I didn't like this CD much. After subsequent playings, however, the perceived incongruity of the instruments augmenting the already full orchestra that is Chanticleer began to vanish. I have even gone through that addiction phase I always get when I buy a REALLY GOOD CD. Now I do the foxtrot through my living room while playing "It's De-Lovely" and "Night and Day" really LOUD and imagining my partner is Astaire instead of just air.

The first two cuts are just very good. The third is magnificent, and similar entries follow. Five splendid countertenors and a bass with a ringing voice doing popular music as only the Hi-Los could. This is as fine a vocal recording as I've heard in years. Definitely five stars.

Lost in the Stars is first rate-their wonderful blending of voices and the arrangements are delightful. I love to sing along with the Chanticleers on this CD!