Customer Reviews

The Voice

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I have been listening to David for years, as a gospel singer, and have always been amazed by the beauty of his voice, the tremendous extent of his range, and the purity of his tone. He has a truly superior instrument. He is also a very skilled arranger, and a gifted writer/composer. I am very pleased to see him release an album that will expose him to a wider audience.

To the person who complained about his rendition of Nessum Dorma, Puccini's Turandot is a much beloved opera, and this particular aria is arguably one of the most beautiful tenor arias every written. As such, expect that as has happened in the past, vocalists, both male and female, will continue to aspire to the heights of singing this piece of music. You may not have liked the style in which David Phelps performed it, but you don't have to listen to it. He is free to sing it, and you are free to ignore it. In my opinion, every time an operatic aria is performed by a non-opera singer, there is the chance that someone who is ignorant of that fabulous genre that is opera will discover it, and that is a good thing. I am a classically trained vocalist, and musician and I was able to enjoy it. Snobbery in music is unattractive just as it is in all other areas.

Let me begin by placing a few statements on the table. To begin, I like David Phelps - he has an incredible voice and a strong musical talent along with a very likable personality. Second, I am not accustomed to reviewing musical albums, so I probably won't have the necessary insight which better qualifies others for this job.

Having said that, ever since I received the much-anticipated new release from David Phelps I knew that something had to be said. David is probably the best musician who's never found a great album. Aside from projects with the Gaither Vocal Band, he has struggled along trying to find some musical focus to what he's released. And The Voice is a monumental step backwards on his journey. I am really struggling to figure out just how these 11 tracks fit together (they really don't, but I have a particular theory).

Perhaps it is the American Idol season that can never be: You have (1) the updated cover of an old song; (2) the updated cover of a kinda old song; (3) the sappy championship song; (4) the blow 'em out of the water with something unique yet amazing song; (5) the shouldn't have done it, I'm in the bottom three this week song; (7) the Unchained Melody cover because it's Simon's favorite song; (8) something for Simon to refer to as 'indulgent'; (11) a beautiful ballad to quiet the noise of a hectic competition.

Again, the voce migliore (best voice) which hasn't found its place in the world. At the end of the day, David Phelps should be taking lightweights (by comparison) like Josh Groban to task on these. He has a much superior instrument but has yet to produce an album which will cause the world to take notice. Ultimately, there are only 3-4 songs worth purchase (depending on your taste), so go digital and pick your favs from the buffet. . .but leave the album on the shelf.

PS - No sin on Nessun Dorma, complete vocal beauty and amazement, despite your taste for the arrangement.

While listening to this album I found myself constantly saying out loud "wow, this is a great album." Song after song, he hits it out of the park. There is no disputing David's vocal talent (he's arguably the best tenor in America); but he's an amazing arranger and songwriter too. My favorite song on the album is Fly to You--it's a very catchy, folksy tune written by David. Nessun Dorma is unbelievable--and it's just what I've longed for, for so many years--an aria from David. I'd love to hear a whole album of arias such as this. Moonlight, Arms of an Angel, Angel Band--these three are each hauntingly, beautifully, exquisitely done. Overall this album is so pleasant and easy on the ears, yet there are several times where my jaw drops open when he once again hits those unexpected, seemingly impossible high notes. Ironically, this album is very spiritual to me, as much as any of his other albums. Although it's considered a secular album of mostly covers, you can see how thoughtful he was in the song choices--they are all cerebral and celestial and for the most part can be sung to God as easily as another person can sing them to another person. I haven't reviewed the lyrics in detail but as far as I can tell, Mine, Your Love, and Fly to You are about the Lord anyway--so I wouldn't even consider this a completely secular album. Perhaps therein lies some of the beauty of it, as it can go either way and can be a different album to different people. Well done, David Phelps!

I believe that we are allowed to experience just a hand full of really great voices in a lifetime. This is truly one of those voices. Do yourself a big favor & don't miss this CD.

What a voice what an album. This guy has such a range. A must for anyone's music collection.

I have been listening to him for a long time, especially when he sings with the gaither's. I have never seen anyone who can go from a low note and carry a song and land it with such a powerful impact at the end, depending on the song he sings. He has got such a gift.
His voice has the ability to make your hair stand up and to me when a singer can do that, they defitinely have a special and unique talent that should not be ignored.

David Phelps has an amazing tenor voice. Nessun Dorma is the most
beautiful aria ever composed and David Phelps certainly does it justice.

Oh my gosh, could he get any better? I mean I don't understand people who a, don't like this album, or b, say that David hasn't found his niche. This album along with every other album that he has put out is absoulutely out of this world. Everything from his self-titled album to "The Voice" just showcases the incredible talent that God has given him and most importantly that he is using that talent for the Lord, which personally I think is really cool. Probably my favorite is "I Want to Know What Love Is," because his voice is absolutely amazing in it, it totally sends cold chills down your spine, just like everything else he sings. I can't wait for what else he has in store!

I bought "The Voice" after hearing David sing Nessun Dorma at a Gaither Concert. I'm no afficionado of opera, I just Love Music. And I like his version of this Puccini aria better than Pavarotti's or Domingo's. Its just more romantic or something. Worth the cost of the CD for this one cut. However, the rest of the album is good, too. Doesn't much matter what he sings, just Please, David, keep singing!!

I sent this from the seller direct to my friend as a gift and it arrived quickly and in fine shape. David Phelps' cd, The Voice, is excellent and God has blessed him with a gifted voice.