Customer Reviews

The Voice: The Ultimate Collection

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

 

 

There are not enough superlatives to describe this young man. This is truly "the best of the best" ...all of his best in one CD. The bonus track "Can't Help Falling In Love" is worth the price of admission!! Wish he would tour in the USA!

Russell Has Released A "Best Of" Which Has So Many Wonderful Performances "Nella Fantasia", "Caruso", "Someone Like You", Amore e Musica" & Two New Songs...His Great Versions Of "I Have Nothing" & "Van't Help Falling In Love" Both Of Which He Brings His Own Stamp!!!! Russell Has A Great POP/OPERA Voice, Not Too Opera...Not Too Pop...Just Right!!!!

I heard about Russell Watson on the aol welcome screen news items--in reference to the operation he recently went through. I went to his site and was captivated by his music. I love this cd, especially the song "Barcelona." His voice is magical. I highly recommend this cd.

In the first decade of the new millennium, Russell Watson became one of Britain's most successful classical crossover singers. He started, as many aspiring singers do, by playing clubs in his local area (in his case, Manchester) but his big came from an unexpected source. Martin Edwards, then chairman of Manchester United, invited him to sing at Old Trafford stadium. I'm assuming that this was in the half-time interval during a match, but I don't know the details. Since then, Russell has performed for millions of fans including royalty and presidents. Listening to this compilation of Russell's music, it's easy to understand why he has so many fans. Russell's appeal goes way beyond classical music (and that will inevitably alienate classical purists) as is proved by his success in the classical charts as well as the pop charts.

The songs here include The prayer (with Lulu - an unlikely pairing that works brilliantly), Funiculi Funicala (a classical standard), O sole me (an even more famous classical standard), Someone like you (with Faye Tozer - this became a British top ten pop hit), Nothing scared (a song for Kirsty), Nessun Dorma (another famous classical standard), Barcelona (with Shaun Ryder - a cover of the Freddie Mercury and Montserrat Caballe duet that later became associated with the 1992 Olympics) and Can't help falling in love (a cover of an Elvis Presley hit). You'll recognize other familiar songs too, but Russell has such a superb voice that it's worth hearing his versions.

As long as classical music can produce singers of the calibre of Russell Watson, it will continue to attract new fans. I'm sure that there are plenty of people who only started taking an interest in the music because of Russell and other crossover songs, some of those new fans later becoming interested in more traditional sounds. This compilation provides an excellent introduction to Russell's music.

I like Russell Watson and the new collection is excellent. However if, like me, you already have several Watson CDs you probably have a copy of all the songs on this CD. I recommend purchasing if and only if you have no other Watson recordings.

I first heard one of Watson's songs on another album which is a collection of many voice/instrumental artists. Wow! I couldn't believe his sound, and played and re-played the song again and again. Finally went to Amazon.com to take a listen to his other vocal songs, and I was hooked. The album is great! He sounds like he was born and raised in Italy ... right next door to Andrea Bocelli.
This makes great music for anytime -- in your office, while driving, while entertaining at home. Simply spectacular. People will ask who he is, and will go and get the album themselves, too.

I first heard of RW when he sang the title song for the TV series "Star Trek Enterprise". I went looking for more, and was so blown away by his 'alternate singing personality'. I have been an opera lover for years, and to find one extremely talented young man who can do opera with real elan and pop songs equally well ("Barcelona"), including the time honored classics ("Volare!" "Funiculi" and others) well, I've been in musical hog heaven. I have all of his albums and only wish fervently I could see him in person. The DVD of his concert is pretty good, too, you might like to see that one. If you love a beautiful male voice singing with real expertise, Russell Watson will thrill you.

I have enjoyed listening to this CD several times. I don't seem to tire of hearing it.

Russell Watson, with his beautiful tenor voice, sings his way through a repetoire of magnificent melodies.

Probably my favorite CD ever!! Love the diversity of songs - from classical to Elvis and Ray Charles selections.