Customer Reviews

Summer

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I saw the cover, read the sticker reading that it was a UK crossover debut and "an exquisite mix of classical, world, and pop music." Hmmm, another Sarah Brightman, perhaps? Upon further noticing her as the Norah Jones of 2003 and her covering a Sting song, I figured, get it. And am I glad I did! What a voice, belonging more to the old school!

Many songs are familiar here because I've heard others do them, such as "Nella Fantasia", which Sarah Brightman did on Eden. The first verse is something I dream of: "In my fantasy I imagine a world of justice/where everyone lives in peace and honesty/I dream of a place to live that is always free/Free as the clouds in the sky/Full of deep humanity."

Spanish composer Joaquin Rodrigo's original title was "Concierto Aranjuez," for guitar and strings, and it's been done by Miles Davis on Sketches Of Spain, Sarah Brightman on Time To Say Goodbye, and Alabina on Alabina II. Here, it's "Aranjuez Ma Pensee" with new lyrics. A classic tune done afresh wit

"Palabra De Honor" or "Word of Honor", has a Spanish flavour with the accompanying strings, guitar, and flute. And what is that word of honour? "I will not leave you/I will never leave you."

"Berceuse" from Benjamin Godard's Jocelyn opera is sung in French and really highlights Summer's voice.

The melody from "Mal Di Luna" (Moonsickness) is taken from Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata and describes the overpowering effects the moon has on one.

"Tutta La Vita" (All My Life) is a duet with tenor Marcelo Alvarez, who has a richer voice than Andrea Bocelli. More along the lines of Jose Cura and Jose Carreras. They make a nice pair.

The melody of "Sposa Son Disprezzata" (Husband, I Am Despised) is from Vivaldi, and the wife asks her husband what she has done to deserve his contempt? She is faithful yet insulted, but still loves him.

"Morgen" (Tomorrow) is taken from a Richard Strauss composition, which features great strings and violin solo.

Summer does a great job in conveying the painful realization of the futility of violence and the fragility of humanity in "Fragile." The Spanish guitar from Sting's original is replicated, with a touch of sax in places. She doesn't use her opera voice here but joined with strings, it's just as wonderful.

"Mesicku a Nebi Hlubokem" is not only Czech for "Song Of The Moon" but is what Sarah Brightman used for the title track to her La Luna album. Same music. It comes from Antonin Dvorak's opera Rusalka (The Water Nymph), which he wrote in Prague after returning from America. She hits those dramatic high notes with the same aplomb as Brightman.

Her other English-langauge cover is Cleo Laine's "Cavatina."

The lyrics printed in Italian/Spanish/Czech/German/French and English, which enables one to follow along.

A vibrant, fresh voice in the manner of the old school, like Cecilia Bartoli or Nucia Focile, rather than those in the newer Sarah Brightman/Charlotte Church school. Don't get me wrong. I adore Sarah, Charlotte, and Norah to pieces, but it has to be said that Summer's voice is a superior quality better than all three. With the right kind of promotion, i.e. PBS specials, concerts, she will make it big here.

Once again, Sony Classical has signed another wonderful soprano to the Oddysey label. Summer adds to Sony Classical's line of classically-trained singers with the veteran diva Kathleen Battle all the way at the top, followed by the Greek tenor Mario Frangoulis, and what used to be the last and adorable soprano, Charlotte Church ends the list of my favorite classically-trained singers signed onto Sony Classical.

Enter Summer, hailing from Oxfordshire, England is making a grand entrance into the elgance ballroom of the classical crossover genre with Sarah Brightman hosting the gala event. At first glance, Summer resembles slightly to Celine Dion on the cover of her debut album. With the height and body frame of Dion, opera and classical crossover fans will more than likely dismess Summer as a lyric soprano. Listening to this debut album will change the misconception that only over-weight people are opera singers and that light-framed singers can't hold on to their notes.

When Summer enters the ball room, every eyes are on her: her debut CD comprises of artful and creative arrangements to some classic favorites of mine such as Dvorak's "Song to the Moon" from the opera, "Rusalka" and Joaquin Rodrigo's "Aranjuez Ma Pensee" and Richard Strauss' lieder "Morgen" to list a few. I am listening to the "Morgen" lieder as I write this review and I can sincerely write what an amazing expressive vocal Summer has! What makes this album alluring and captivating is the fact that Summer contributes to the arrangements of her art and this brings her vocal strength to the listening audience.

On "Tutta la Vita," tenor Marcelo Alvarez makes a guest appearance to duet with Summer--their vocals weaving and complementing each other is a pleasure to my ears!

I highly recommend you to get this CD and experience the listening pleasure yourself. If you like to know information about her, I found her official website: http://www.summer-sings.com/. There are two music video clips and audio samples and pictures.

I'm a tough critic when it comes to these classical crossover artists who are appearing all over the place these days. As a big fan of Sarah Brightman (who in many ways pioneered the classical crossover style before it was in vogue) I'll admit I'm hard-pressed to find artists who can come close to Sarah in voice, ingenuity, and flat-out fabulous recordings. However, I think this CD is downright beautiful. The arrangements (by Summer herself!) are lush but also understated, and the whole CD keeps this rich texture throughout, while also remaining interesting and fresh. I was totally won over by Summer's version of "Sposa Son Disprezzata", which I think is one of the most beautful classical pieces I've ever heard. And the violin in the beginning of "Morgen" is also quite gorgeous. Many of today's classical crossover artists cross the line into some rather pretentious stuff, but this one has heart and soul, and is quite impressive.

I don't want to reiterate what previous reviewers have said so I'll keep this short. I don't get too excited about many things but this CD is a must! I came across Summer's music by accident while browsing the iTunes music store. I listened to a track and loved it so much that I bought the rest of the album. The next day, I went and bought the physical CD. In fact, I bought a dozen more and passed them out to friends and family. I can't say enough about this artist. This album is always at the top of my iPod playlist. These days the only other soprano I listen to is Renee Fleming. Highly recommended.

Classical arrangements jazzed up usually get binned because they sound .... Not so in this case where Summer, who has a lovely voice, appears to add a touch of middle eastern/israeli style on top of some classic 'classics'. her vocal arrangements of pieces such as Beethoven's Moonlight Sonatra, are quite frankly, an eye-opener. I never thought it would work, but it does.

There is one problem with this album. Listerning to the music makes it very easy to tune out your sourroundings, to the determent of keeping track of the time. I've missed three deadlines this way...

I heard Summer on a sampler cd I got for free from one of the local bookstores. I kept coming back to her song and liked it enough to order her entire cd from amazon. Great purchase to say the least. She moves effortlessly between classical and pop selections. She has a way of working within the song and not overextending - meaning she doesn't showboat. Don't expect any american idol grandstanding at any time. What you get is straight up professional singing from a classicaly trained vocalist. It doesn't get boring thanks to a great mix of songs. The treatment of Sting's 'fragile' is especially nice. Not an essential cd but I still give it 5 stars because it's practically flawless.

Thank You United Airlines! On a flight from Orange County to O'Hare I listened to this CD available from the airline. What a short flight. If you like soft, heart warming music with a classical bent and an operatic lilt, go for it!

This beautifully made CD is a very good value. It is so well balanced in many ways. The enclosed photoes set the tone of this artistic production. Sophistication in her singing is attractive as well as her heavenly voice. Even the highest notes are beutifully sang with accurately pronounced words. On the top of it, summer's love and devotion to each pieces she sings flow into your heart and fill it with warmth.
In short, summer's singing knock your socks off!

I first came upon this CD when I was Music Director of a public radio station and I couldn't wait to get it on the air. The response from the audience (@ 53,000) was warm and grateful. This gal not only has a beautiful voice, but also the training to use that voice to its best advantage. There are no swoops and crutches here (like that singer... ah, what's her name... oh, yeah.. Sarah Brightman), just a pure, clear, steady (not a lot of vibrato) almost ethereal voice accompanied by a marvelous instinct for how and when to inject interpretation. The orchestration is great, too, not too much, not too little. Wow, talk about crossover! I hope Summer comes up with another CD soon. I've almost worn this one out.

I've heard many beautiful voices - I think of Maria Callas in opera,Marilyn McCoo in popular music, Joan Baez in folk, but hearing Summer sing is to me a new experience. Her voice is so uncommonly pure in tone, and her words and phrasing fall on your ears so smoothly that I become lifted to a higher level of being, just to know that there is such a fine and disciplined woman as she is. This feeling is new, and I'd like to say thank you to Summer and the people who help bring her work to life.