Reprise

Russell Watson | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 19, 2002)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Musicrama/Koch
• ASIN: B0000DESSY
• Also Available in: Audio CD
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (260 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #814,505 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Torna a Surriento, for voice & piano (or orchestra)

2. Granada, for voice & orchestra (with chorus ad lib)

3. Santa Lucia, for voice & orchestra

4. That's Amore

5. Ellens Gesang III ("Ave Maria"), song for voice & piano, D. 839 (Op. 52

6. Questa o quella [Rogoletto]

7. Nothing Sacred, song (aka, "Is Nothing Sacred")

8. The Pearl Fishers' Duet [Les Pêcheurs de Perles]

9. Pourquoi me réveiller? [Werther]

10. Recondita armonia [Tosca]

11. La danza. Tarantella Napolitana ("Già la luna è in mezzo al mare"), for vo

12. Core 'ngrato (Catari), for voice & orchestra

13. The Living Years

14. I Just Don't Know How I Got By

15. The Best That Love Can Be

16. Bohemian Rhapsody

17. Vesti la giubba [Pagliacci]

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Quintessential English cross-over singer!!, May 8, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Reprise (Audio CD)

"Santa Lucia" was my first real memorable encounter with classical music as a child. It's on this album, beautiful and listenable for the way Watson makes the most of every word, and yet the phrase is always there. "Torna a Surriento", the opener, is enchanting and lovely. All of the Neopolitan songs on here are fabulous (Granada, etc). But also great renditions of "The Pearl Fishers' Duet", "Pourquoi me reveiller?", "Recondita armonia", La danza" and the always beautiful, "Core `ngrato".

Acquiring this CD and listening to The Voice upclose and personal finally awakened me to the genius that everybody has been applauding for the past few years. Watson possesses a rare combination of subtlety, control, spontaneity, and swagger that are evident on these classical and pop tunes. I can feel the lilt in his step on "That's Amore" and the fragility and heartbreak in "The Living Years".

Hearing him sing "the Best That Love Can Be" with Cleopatra makes it obvious to me why so many regard Watson as the quintessential English cross-over singer.

If you're new to Watson, you'll have no regrets buying this CD first.

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is a "best" cd, June 4, 2003

By 

Natalie Johnson - See all my reviews

This review is from: Reprise (Audio CD)

This CD is rated as one of the best recordings for Russell Watson, and I couldn't agree more whole-heartedly. One of the best cross-over albums ever, this CD boasts an incredible list of classical and pop songs. Many of them are your Neopolitan classics which are sung beautifully by Watson.

You also have your standard pop surprises by Watson's talented and versatile pop voices - "Nothing Sacred", "That's Amore", "the Living Years", "The Best That Love Can Be" and "Bohemian Rhapsody", each sung with a different and wonderful pop voice - quite a talent! Even in the classical realm, Watson sings both the baritone and tenor parts in "The Pearl Fishers' Duet".

Is there anything Watson can't do? I love to put this CD on while I'm at home, and it always makes me perk up. It's the epitome of the how Watson spreads his enthusiasm and joy of singing to all of us. Watson is a complete delight.

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Breathtakingly beautiful album!, May 6, 2003

By 

Eric Bradford - See all my reviews

This review is from: Reprise (Audio CD)

Last year, you couldn't have convinced me I'd ever own a Russell Watson album, but a few weeks ago I found myself humming these songs that I'd heard my mother playing last year. The arrangements are wonderful and they leave Watson's voice far forward -- and some of his greatest performances are here, bookended by two masterpieces -- "Torna a Surriento" and "Vesti la giubba" The songs selected flawlessly support the album's concept of the singer introducing classical music to non-classical fans such as myself, and Watson doesn't hit a wrong note anywhere.

When you think of everything it meant to be Russell Watson - bringing heretofore intimidating music to the average music fan, what a life to be looking back on! -- the chance to listen in is irresistible.

"That's Amore"...his voice is perfection, as smooth as Scotch, and his tone one of reflection.. one of the best versions of this old favorite I've heard.

"The Living Years" -- Good lyrics and superb phrasing propel this thought-provoking song to a higher plane.

Other masterpieces include "Core `ngrato" with an arrangement as timeless as the vocalization, and "Va, pensiero" -- quintessential Watson -- quietly passionate and exciting.

"I don't know how I just got by" -- an evocative arrangement with Watson's smooth-as-silk delivery.

"The Pearl Fishers' Duet" is a terrific song, and can you hear it without believing Russell is singing both the baritone and tenor solos.... Magnificent.

Even if you're not a diehard fan, you can't help but enjoy hearing Watson at the top of his form on this breathtakingly beautiful album.