Customer Reviews

That's Life (Chi)

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

 

 

Who would have thought that he would select these songs for his latest album? But he did and its incredible!! Again, he continues to amaze! Many of these are Frank Sinatra songs. This would be professional suicide for anyone not super-human, yet he pulls it off and more. What kind of idiot would try to impress the world by singing songs Frank Sinatra is famous for?? Who could measure up?? Not only did he measure up, he shattered the standard!! This is beautiful music. His voice has achieved a new tenor. You are going to love this disc. It's expensive but worth it!!

Watson is stunning in this album of Sinatra-style remakes. There was a lot of risk in recording songs that have already sold millions of albums, but he took them to a new level of style, precision and feeling. Fantastic album.

The problem with this album is that everyone had done swing music, and it really does't highlight the sheer strength in his voice.
Russell Watson is the British answer to Andrea Bocelli.
In his nine years on the UK classical scene, he has released five albums and received critical acclaim for bringing operatic-style tunes to the average Briton.
He has five million worldwide album sales tucked under his belt, including the fastest selling classical album since Carreras · Domingo · Pavarotti: The Three Tenors in Concert / Mehta.
His debut album, Russell Watson · The Voice, spent a whole year on top of the UK classical chart and every album he has released since has received either gold, platinum or double platinum-selling status.
But tragedy nearly struck last year when it was discovered that the tenor had a brain tumour.
After a period of successful medical treatment, the 40-year-old is currently on the road to recovery and "That's Life" is a celebration of his return to form.
Writing in his album leaf, he says: "It's very hard to put into words how I feel about this recording... It has been a very difficult period in my life, from which I am gradually recovering."
In his first departure from pure classical music, Russell Watson releases a collection of tried and tested love songs, including some of the hits made famous by greats such as Frank Sinatra and Nat King Cole.
The 11-track album features some of the world's best known songs - from "That's Life", to "Let There Be Love" and "Smile".
It also features a bonus track with soul legend Alexander O'Neal.
"That's Life" is a pleasant album and unfortunately that's all that can be said about it.
The song choices are pretty obvious and do exactly what they say on the tin.
He has since changed musical tact - from opera to lounge music. A shame really as he is one of the best mainstream classical artists, having paved the way for far more inferior acts, such as Il Divo Il Divo.
So the voice finds himself curtailed on some real snore-fest tracks like "Strangers In the Night".
A Russell Watson fan knows what they're getting when they pick up the album - a lovely voice crooning out some of the world's best known love songs.
It's enough to melt the hearts of the mums, aunts and grandmas who will probably be receiving the CD on Mother's Day or on Valentine's Day.
Highlights include the title track "That's Life", which kicks off the album - a triumphant song, which features Watson uttering the rousing words "I just pick myself up and get back in the race".
While Russell may be one of the UK's great operatic voices, the types of songs he chooses on the album unfortunately reduce him to somewhat of a copycat swing singer, belting out the tunes with the same inflections and faux-American accents implemented by the plethora of artists who have done this so many times before.
This is especially evident on songs such as "Born Free", in which you might think he's nothing more than a Frank Sinatra tribute act.
There are, however, some good tracks on the album, including "You Don't Know Me", "I Left My Heart in San Francisco" and "A Very Good Year", whose long vowels suit the operatic style with which Russell is most comfortable.

while i think the choice of songs in this CD is good, i feel this is not the russell i have known. his voice is ok , the diction allright ...but the range , that wonderful, powerful range is simply not there . He sounds like any other crooner these days. I rated it 4 stars as the arrangements are quite good and the voice is acceptable...regretfully it is not the russell we have known for songs like "Barcelona" or "nesun dorma"...sorry.

Russell's versatility talent is shown on this album. The voice is just the voice. This one is not like his albums before which have many classic songs (kind of tenor)that for some is unlistenable,:)(you know..)

I am not particularly fan of certain kind music. I do like pop,rock,classical,jazz or should i just say good music.

So, now we have Frank Sinatra songs covered by Russell here. Though I am not fans of Frank Sinatra before, I can say I really enjoy this cd and that make me want to collect some Sinatra's album.

Last, I would say as a fan of Russell's voice, for non classical audience this is the voice for you to enjoy.

That's Life is a fantastic album. It's Russell Watson's best album so far. I love the old songs and his voice is fantastic!!!

The Voice in a completely different CD. Beautiful music from one of the world's greatest vocalists. I do prefer some classical numbers in the CD's. They are necessary to properly show his amazing voice.

Russell Watson's new album is amazing. He can sing opera,R&B and standards, this is a talent you are born with. I wish Russell would do more albums in English. I would recomend this album to anyone who enjoys good music.

Russell continues to amaze me by mastering, yet again, a different genre of singing. Be it opera, pop, or 50's crooner, he is effortless and fits right in. Its amazing how you can hear Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, and Dean Martin in his vocals. This man is talented. This CD is excellent.

I wanted to be sure I had all of Russell Watson's CD's and DVD's but was prepared thatI might not like this one as much as his others. All the same I am fascinated by his voice and background and his personality to I am still pleased I bought it.