Customer Reviews

Sometimes I Dream

5 star:		(108)
4 star:		(12)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

Mario Frangoulis' gorgeous voice and the exquisite material chosen for this CD make it an outstanding musical experience. It has glorious melodies, and the warmth and passion of his native Greece, with an international flair. Mario sings in 4 languages, and the songs range from operatic to an upbeat, marvelous rendition of the Neapolitan "Luna Rossa," but the entire CD has a cohesiveness in its mood and quality. The arrangements by Steve Wood and the musicianship throughout are superb, lush and lovely, and well balanced with Mario's powerful voice.

The highlight for me is "Sometimes I Dream," a fantastic interpretation of Puccini's aria from "Tosca," "E lucevan le stelle," to which Mario and Steve have added some music and lyrics, and the result is an utterly fabulous song. Another inspired choice is the Moody Blues hit from decades ago, "Nights in White Satin," which is sung with Justin Hayward, the original Moody Blues member who wrote the song.

Accomplished in many areas, Mario is an actor who has performed everything from Shakespeare to the musical "Grease." He is also a violinist, a winner of the Maria Callas Prize, as well as having had a scholarship to New York's famed Juilliard School of Music, and being the only student of the great opera singer Alfredo Kraus. The packaging of the CD is top notch, with the lyrics in their original language with English translations, and lots of photos of this handsome singer, who is sure to be one of the world's big superstars in the coming years, if he continues this level of excellence. Total playing time is 57'26.

If you love Andrea Bocelli and Josh Groban (I do), you will LOOOOVE Mario as well. The three styles are different, we're not talking who sounds more like the "opera tenor" here. Who the HELL cares!!! This is just pure enjoyment and soul nurturing. Mario sings in English, Italian, Greek and Spanish; and trust me, you will not CARE that you can't understand a word, Mario transmits so much emotion and energy thru his songs that you will enjoy this music, even if you don't understand what he's singing. He is THAT good! I recommend that you also buy the DVD of his live concert (of the same title). It is simply AWESOME! Way to go, Mario! Oh, and the guy that said that women only like Mario because he's cute, GET OVER YOURSELF, and CLEAN THE WAX INSIDE YOUR EARS - you know NOTHING about good music!!

To a previous reviewer, Divafan7 from Melbourne, Florida: this is a great debut for a purist to acquire. :-) This debut is remarkable! I am espectially fond of the Frangoulis as the composer on his title track, "Sometimes I Dream." He takes an aria from Tosca, "E Lucevan E Stelle..." and integrates into an English-Aria-English-Aria format and sung the piece astoundingly.

In terms of the themes associated with the music, they're heart-felt slow and at times "mushy". I don't mind that! His take on Naturaleza Muerte and Hijo de la Luna are quite different from, say Brightman's version. Frangoulis' interpretation takes us listeners to a slower, romantic perspective than Brightman's up-tempo version.

"Nights in White Satin" is truly wonderful! The piece commences with beautiful acoutic-Spanish guitars that weaves into Mario's voice singing in Italian. Wonderful bedtime music!

If you're a fan of Josh Groban, Andrea Bocelli, or classical vocal crossover in general and even a purist like myself, give this album a try. I look forward to hearing more about this new tenor and perhaps a recording of Verdi arias in the future?

Great CD, great music! Five stars!!!

Mario Frangoulis - another young singer with a fresh voice, is introduced to America. The concept of this debut album is amazingly similar to Josh Groban's, only that Mario is right at home with Mediterranean music and his is solid singing. He has a voice that is warm and full of passion, he can tackle any musical note he sings with ease, and he is deep in musicality.
The songs included might be a bit monotonous in their style, but to some extent, demonstrate what this voice is capable of, and perhaps make you eager for more brilliancy that's not showing here. Among all the songs, "Sometimes I Dream" stands out naturally. Its ballad portion brilliantly intertwines, not only melodiously but also lyrically, with Puccini's "E lucevan le stelle", and as Mario, who coincidentally bears the same name as the hero's in Tosca, delivers it with his heart and soul and glorifies it with his operatic tenor, it's simply breathtaking.
With his talent and technique, Mario should have a lot to offer. I will be looking forward to his next album, in which I wish he could show some varieties and a little more intensity.

Mario Frangoulis brings to you one of the most incredible and accessible collections you'll ever experience. It is a romantic journey by an exceptionally talented young vocalist. Mario takes you on this journey by weaving together lushly arranged songs that range from operatic arias to pop, with a range of vocal styles that uniquely match each track. He sings with passion in Italian, Castilian Spanish, Greek, and English, providing a vocal background that mirrors the romance of the Meditteranean Sea.

Many compare Mario to Josh Groban and Russell Watson. While each vocalist has his merits, Mario will be the one that transports you to a more romantic and ethereal world with his combination of classical technique and passion. This is an album that I simply MUST play every day, and its sound causes my pulse to relax and my driving to slow, even with its occasional intensity. I have recommended this CD to everyone I know, and have elicited positive comments from adjacent cars and people on the street who hear it eminating from my vehicle.

This is music suitable for environs as varied as the front seat of automobile, the Barcalounger, the grassy meadow, the rocky coast. Some of the pieces make you cry, while others make you whirl with delight.

The CD is beautifully produced, employing a tremendous richness in tone that is refreshing and never stilted. You will hear simple yet highly effective complimentary acoustic instrumentation, with the rhythmic elements that keep the music nicely paced. And Mario's remarkable tenor is finely matched with other voices ranging from a "castrati" choir to a member of the Moody Blues.

While you will no doubt have favorite tracks, you'll also discover that these will shift as your moods shift daily. I've become quite enamored of the following: the gentle and contemplative "Non Sara", sung in tender Spanish; the powerfully emotional "A La Luna de Valencia", also in Spanish but in an operatic style, contemporary pieces "Night Wants to Forget" and "Nights in White Satin", entirely appropriate on this album; and the stolid and quietly powerful "Buongiornio Principessa", from the Italian movie "Life is Beautiful".

This CD will transport you to a wind-swept cliff overlooking the Aegean Sea, with your heart full of love and heartache. I haven't recommended an album this strongly in decades. It is simply incredible.

I saw/heard MF live at New York City Center 5/20/05. He sang in Italian, Spanish, French, English & Greek. I'd have preferred a little more Greek, but I'm willing to listen to anything he wants to sing. I'm not given to extreme statements, but I believe it's impossible to imagine a better male voice, in every respect. Plus he's warm & engaging.

Mario is without a doubt, one of the best tenors I have ever heard. His music, filled with passion, takes you half-way around the world to the sounds of the Mediterranean. Whether he's singing in perfect Greek, Italian, French, or English, Mario's voice fills you with excitement, happiness, and peace at the same time. The DVD of "Sometimes I Dream" is just as remarkable as the CD, with the added bonus of seeing Mario perform his music live. . .breathtaking!!! Either purchase will take you far away!

I am an ardent admirer of Andrea Bocelli's and
did not expect to be impressed with this
"new young tenor"...I was seriously mistaken! What an extraordinary voice! So versatile and vibrant! He sings in English, Greek, Italian, and Spanish with equal aplomb!

Mario's version of Justin Hayward's timeless composition, "Nights In White Satin"
(with the bonus of Justin's collaboration) is
lovely...beyond words...

I defy anyone to sit still when Mario breaks into "Luna Rossa" by A. Vian and V. De Crescenzo...the melody... makes you get up and dance! The lyrics so contagious...you have to sing along whether you speak Italian or not! The booklet (which has the best translations I have ever come across) is a great help here.

I am mesmerized by the three songs
in Spanish; all three composed by Jose Maria
Cano.
Brilliant composer...the melodies and lyrics
are dramatic and visual...I could almost
see a "jealous sea" longing and lusting
for "Ana" in "Naturaleza Muerta"! "Hijo De La
Luna" is practically an opera in itself! "A La Luna De Valencia" is addictive! I could listen to it for eternity and be quite content! Great
songs!

The compositions which comprise this lovely collection are varied and will appeal to lovers of classical music as well as fans of pop and soft rock! One is truly transported to an "other world"...one brimming with passion; where there is joy and pleasure, even in lost loves and broken dreams.
I highly recommend that anyone who enjoys good music give this cd a listen!

Although Bocelli is still my favorite tenor, Mario can stand along side him proudly! His voice is quite different from Bocelli's but every bit as lovely. I am very much looking forward to future projects from this wonderful singer.

Mario Frangoulis is a very solid new vocalist. He has a nice operatic voice-though not truly an opera singer; a young male Sarah Brightman perhaps. This album mixes styles ranging from pop to new age with traditional classical pieces of music. Mario's cd falls squarely in the Classical Crossover genre. A genre which is gaining in popularity--artists such as the forementioned Sarah Brightman carved this niche out to bring a freshness to Classical music which broadened the appeal.

Mario's interpretation of Nights in White Satin is incredible--mixing English and Italian vocals the way that Russell Watson and Sarah Brightman do. This interpretation is interesting and inventive, though some of the songs on this album i have heard done better by other artists. Hijo de la Luna i feel is performed way to slowly--it soars as a waltz but drags slightly in this interpretation.

This album is a strong first effort from someone who is going to be a huge star. The fact that this talented man also writes songs is something that sets him apart from the other talented young vocalists---like Josh Groban. Groban's rich full voice is better developed than Mario's at the moment, but Mario is hot on his heels and has something extra to add.

This album will be a great addition to anyone's classical crossover collection. If you already are a fan of Josh Groban, Russell Watson, Sarah Brightman or even Andrea Boccelli--this i a good bet for you. If you are a classical purist--don't buy it, you might not like the liberties taken.

But when looking for Mario's album in your local music store---you better ask where it will be-- i found it in easy listening, vocals, classical, and the pop/rock section in various music stores.

Tough to be so talented no one knows what to do with you--isn't it Mario?

This is the first Mario Frangoulis cd I purchased two years ago and continue to enjoy listening to it. Mario has a range of singing styles and always comes across magnificently. A truly talented individual with a heart of gold. Also have companion dvd and it's also marvelous. His new Greek cd, Garden of Wishes, is a terrific piece of work and shows another style. Whatever Mario does, he does to perfection.