Customer Reviews

So Many Stars

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

As "crossover" albums go -- although that's probably an unfortunate way to pigeon-hole it -- "So Many Stars" is one of my all-time favorites. Whether at the end of a grueling day or on a quiet Sunday morning with the New York Times crossword puzzle, the combination of Battle's clear, sparkling soprano and the Caribbean influenced beat of the jazz accompaniment are the perfect antidote to a crazy world. It's superb music to relax into (NOT to be confused with muzak), brilliantly performed by all involved. The arrangements are inspired, the vocals transcendant.

Take a trip with Kathleen on this one! Her lush, exquisite, lightly melodic vocals accompanied by the likes of the late Grover Washington, Jr. and the beautiful piano stylings of Cyrus Chestnut are simply wonderful. This piece of work is a must have! Texture upon wonderful texture is captured within this project. If you are a classical music novice, like me, or you simply have ecclectic taste, this CD will become a treasured addition to your music library. Prepare to be delighted.

I love Kathleen Battle's "classical" music, but this album of folk songs and spirituals was quite pleasant as well. Many of the songs have such unique melodies, patterns, and rhythms, quite far removed from those of her usual singing fare. It definitely isn't your ordinary "classical" music, which is what I was actually expecting the album to be, but it was quite pleasant to discover I was in error.

This is a great album! So great and effecting, in fact, that I first heard track 1 ("Hush") in 1995 in the listening booth of a store but, having no money to purchase the disc, had to content myself with humming. Four years later when I finally added the disc to my collection, I was still able to sing the words... unbeknownst to me, the music had such an impact that I was able to remember after FOUR years. That is really saying something. Track 1 is still as haunting and beautifully sung as I had remembered and with that one number Ms. Battle de-bunked forever, in my mind at least, the notion that an opera singer could not shine in the non-classical repertoire. With SO MANY STARS, the listening public is privy to the many sides of a multi-faceted artist, some dimensions that we never glimpsed with her many brilliant operatic recordings. For instance, with "Fais Do Do" we see Ms. Battle's fun-loving side while "He's Gone Away" treats us to the spectacle of Ms. Battle plumbing deep in the despair of abandonment. Her singing has rarely been THIS involved and, as usual, every syllable is clearly enunciated, an especial treat when the songs are in English! In addition to English, songs are sung in Spanish and French. I'dd be remiss if I didn't mention the spirited and engaging accompaniment of the musicians (many of whom are contemporary jazz stars). There's a real give and take in these songs which accentuates the jazzy nature of these selections. (You'll even get to hear Ms. Battle sound a blue note or two.) You have to buy this album if your batteries need replenishing and music is your fuel of choice!

Kathleen Battle has taken on a whole new sound in "So Many Stars"-no opera or classical music here! Instead, folk songs, lullabies, and spirituals are the focus of this CD. In many ways it was a beautiful CD-Kathleen's voice is, as always, rich-sounding and beautiful. She seems to sing the Spanish numbers with ease and gently rolling r's, and the spiritual are sung with natural emotion when she sings them. And she didn't just stop with the songs themselves...no, this CD features a whole group of diverse musicians to accompany her. For the most part,they were great...the music really fit the mood. The casual, slightly jazzy saxophone, free-sounding, improvisational piano, Spanish-inspired guitar, and ethnic percussions add a whole new dimension to this CD-almost "cafe music" sounds. There's even one track ("Interlude") that is nothing but "pure" African sounding percussion. The only real complaint I had about this CD was that although the accompaniment was great and pleasantly unique for the most part, sometimes it sounded like the same accompaniment under every song. It's too bad it didn't sound a little more varied, instead of, "once you've heard three songs, you've heard what all the accompaniment sounds like". All in all, good CD...beautiful voice, fresh approach, and unique accompaniment.

This recording is beyond words. To call it amazing is nothing short of an understatement. Kathleen Battle is without a doubt one of the most gifted artist on the classical forefront today. Here she wows us with a wonderful mixture of spanish, traditional american and creole, afro cuban and brazilian folk song and charted over a mellow, laid back and coyly seducative jazz accompaniment. Very tastefully done. The assortmnet of musicans that appear on this album are nearly reason enough to buy it, if you aren't sold on the fact that it's a Kathleen Battle C.D: the late Grover Washington Jr, Jazz pianist and genius Cyrus Chestnut, Steven Berrios and Christian Mc Bride just to name a few. The music on this disc is obviously very much heart felt, particularly Azulao, Fais Do Do, Del Caballo Mas Sutil, the Title Track So Many Stars and the Villia-Lobos Melodia Sentimental. The starter track Hush is also fun to listen to. It's a very funk- fusion type of thing that's happening here, this is a must hear and have! If you appreciate a beautiful voice, beautiful music and like to dance, (yes this has proven to be a party pleaser, I play it quite frequently and it really gets the crowd going, believe it or not. you can get a nice cha cha, electric slide line, meringue or salsa dance going to most of this c.d.) you won't be disapointed. If you're in the market for another great cross over c.d. pick up the Jessye Norman I was born in Love with you. This C.D. is not as uptempo as "So Many Stars" but it is still a wonderful collection and Jessye works it well!

This is an unusual recording for Ms. Battle, who generally performs "classical" music. The material here ranges from lullabies to folk tunes to smooth jazz, all very accessible. Her voice is definitely the center of focus; varied accompaniments are all tasteful and capable. The recording is flawless.

If you enjoy a lovely female voice and soothing music, you should enjoy this one. (Kathleen Battle could sing "Louie, Louie" and make it sound gorgeous!)

This album is terrific. Battle's operatic voice is right at home with this music, which is somewhat of a cross between classical and jazz! Battle is not always my cup of tea (her voice can be a little too strident and pinched and her interpretation is not always well developed), but she shines here. The jazz masters who collaborated with her deserve as much praise; they are wonderful (especially in the interlude)and add tremendously to classical pieces such as "Del cabello mas sutil" and "Azulao". This album has everything a listener could want: a gorgeous, interpretive voice, fabulous accompaniment, rythem, and terrific, inspiring music.

Kathleen Battle has one of the most easy, clear voices in opera today. She takes that voice, and with very well thought-out choices in song, arrangement and style, creates a careful "cross-over" album.

Do not mistake this for a crossover like Renee Fleming's jazz album (in which the listener unawares, would not be aware they were listening to an opera singer). This album is simply alowing us to see into the diversity of Ms. Battle's musical style, while continuing to carefully frame her voice with lovely delicacy.

I was thrilled with the spanish pieces on this album, since spanish art songs are not easy to find. And Battle does an incredible job of pulling out the fine melodic lines while providing near flawless Spanish pronounciation.

As a tribute to her heritage, Battle is well known for presenting traditional "Negro Spirituals" in her recordings, and the intimacy and conviction with which she sings, is breathtaking.

Personally, I liked Copeland's "The Little Horses" the best. The accompaniament was one of the most creative I have heard, keeping the tempo on the "Blacks and bays" portion consistent, but providing a rhythmic driving that pushes the song at that point. This touch, I feel, helps to keep the overall pulse of the piece.

My overall assessment is that this album was beautifully done, with only the slightest lack of comfort on some of the lower register moments. A beautiful diversion from the norm.

"So Many Stars" proves once again that Kathleen Battle has a musical atristry that defies containment within a single genre. The songs included in this CD go from spanish lullaby, to spiritual, to jazz.

Hush is in a word perfect; this performance seems to effortlessly blend the spiritual with jazz. Cancion de Cuna - an exquisitely performed spanish lullaby. Azulao - beautiful and sensual with an almost calypso feeling. The Little Horses features Grover Washington Jr. and Cyrus Chestnut; performed like a jazz lullaby, lovely and tender. A spritely melody, Fais Do Do swings; Ms. Battle's singing is exquisite throughout; Cyrus Chestnut and Ira Coleman stand out. Ms. Battle brings a subtle power to another jazz spiritual Going Home.

Para Ninar - a masterful rendition; Ms. Battle's voice blended with guitarists Lubambo and Herrington bring a mature sensuality to this brazilian piece.

Altogether "So Many Stars" is filled with diamonds.