Customer Reviews

Ultimate Collection

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Although Katherine Jenkins recorded six albums for Decca, this collection draws heavily on just three of them, these being Second Nature, Living A Dream and Serenade. It would be fair to say that these were the albums that really established Katherine's reputation following her promising debut album, which isn't represented here at all.

It's possible to argue what should have been included. The compilers had a hard job in selecting seventeen tracks that represent the best of Katherine's Decca music. No doubt the selection was influenced by the need to ensure that the album qualified for inclusion in the classical music charts, as all but one of her earlier albums did. This may explain the absence of Katherine's exquisite covers of We'll meet again, You'll never walk alone and Amazing grace, to name but three popular songs that I would like to have seen included. But I am pleased that Decca chose to include Don't cry for me Argentina. This was not included on Living A Dream , but it was included in a deluxe edition of the same album. I decided not to pay the premium price for just that track and one other. There's also a deluxe edition of this collection, Katherine Jenkins: The Ultimate Collection / Special Edition, containing a second CD featuring eight live tracks, but again I opted for the standard edition.

Whether this truly is the ultimate collection of her music, this compilation certainly provides a great introduction to the music of Katherine Jenkins.

I like Katherine Jenkins and have all of her older albums so I almost skipped getting this one. However, I am glad that I ended up getting the album. There are 3 new songs on it. The album is quite enjoyable. Note: There are two versions of this album. One has 14 songs and one has 17 songs. If you want the new music, get the one with 17 songs. This collection is more "show tunesy" than some of her more classically themed albums. Highly recommended.

Miss Jenkins has a great voice. I love this CD! Hope to hear more from Miss Jenkins in the future.

This is a fine DVD, although anyone could argue about whether the contents are an "ultimate" collection. I have my favorites, as I'm sure you do -- so no single compilation would ever satisfy everyone. A couple of observations: Generally, I would prefer if KJ NOT record songs already performed by other artists. Doing so, invites an apples and oranges type of comparison. Having said that, I believe her rendition of "Nella Fantasia" is the best I've heard. Oddly, the same holds true of "Music of the Night." Though Webber wrote this for a male voice, I haven't heard one yet that does it justice. Although KJ's version's orchestration lacks the original authenticity/punch that say Sarah Brightman's recording presents, KJ's mezzo soprano vocals are better equipped to handle the lower notes. On the down side, "Time to Say Goodbye" is unbeatable by the Bocelli/Brightman duet. "Caruso" is a signature song of Bocelli. KJ does a great job with this, but, again, it only invites/instigates comparison. "I Could Have Danced All Night" is owned by Julie Andrews. "Don't Cry For Me Argentina" is a flat effort by KJ, and cannot stand up to the renditions of Sarah Brightman or even Madonna. Why? Well, if I have one criticism of KJ it is that she simply cannot inject personal emotion/passion in any of her songs. (Brightman and Madonna (for instance) have a long history of theatricality under their belts. Perhaps KJ is still too young/inexperienced to feel comfortable surrendering to these impulses (if she has them). I don't know. She seems focused on technical perfection and unable (yet) to inject her own soul into the recordings. I think she'll get to that point, but it might take awhile. This is an apples/oranges comparison, but try to recall how Barbara Streisand (right out of the box) just allowed everything to flow from somewhere deep within. It's not a lack of enthusiasm on the part of KJ, just (seemingly) an untapped ability to let herself go. That criticism aside, I will nevertheless continue buying everything she releases, and I'll be carefully listening for any evolution.

What can I say. I loved her singing at the National Memorial Concert in DC. I loved her singing on Dancing with the Stars for the Classical week performances. I am still amazed that the American public has not embraced this very talented mezzo-soprano from Wales.

The first I ever heard of her was Dancing with the Stars. She is beautiful and has a beautiful voice. I'm of the old school where that kind of voice does not come out of that kind of body. I will buy more of her music.

This British singer is absolutely a must to have! Her voice is golrious, and the sound from the CD is also very well done. She sang on Dancing with the Stars TV show once in 2011 as well!

Katherine Jenkins certainly has a lovely voice, and many of the songs on this album are beautifully sung. But on "Hallelujah", for example, what on Earth could have possessed her to torpedo the rhyme scheme of the lyrics by changing "ya" to "you"?

I saw Katherine Jenkins on the Graham Norton Show. After listening to some excerpts on the web I purchased this album. Wow, what a voice. If your a Brightman fan try Katherine, a larger fuller voice and a little lower on the high range. Little of the often overdone vibrato of many other classical singers, just a pure beautiful female voice. I wish her latest was available in the US from an authorized seller, but I will probably by it any way.

Katherine has such a marvelous Voice and personality to match. You cannot just be satisfied with her CD's, but must purchase and enjoy her DVD's also. If you are of Welsh background Buy Katherine's music, you'll be well rewarded. Thank you Amazon !