Customer Reviews

Yodeling the Classics 2

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

 

 

No doubt to my ears: what Mary Schneider does, she does very well. And this lady can yodel. Vol. 2 of "Yodeling the Classics" is not quite as surprising and hilarious as vol.1 - maybe the joke is starting to wear thin - but there are still some delightful moments. Her version of Leroy Anderson's "Fiddle-Faddle" is the first attempt I've ever heard at jazz yodeling, and yes, I laughed. The Gilbert and Sullivan parody contains more lyrics than yodeling, but the lyrics do approach cleverness, and it really is meant to be tongue-in-cheek. The back up singers are better here than in vol.1, the orchestra not quite as TV-tinny either. But oy! The schmalz! Still, this album and her performances are a true art unto themselves. I'm just not sure what kind...

And now a warning: there are liner notes. Now you'll know where those cheesey lyrics come from.

And now another warning: Mary Schneider has a daughter...

There appears to be no middle ground on the appeal of Mary Schneider's Yodeing the Classics. You'll either love it or hate it. Mary is the aknowledged Queen of Australian Yodeling and has performed for many years. In the nineties she decided to combine her famous yodeling with her love for opera and classical music. The resulting cd is like nothing you've heard before. Mary literally yodels to classical music from Mozart, Brahms, Beethoven and more. Don't expect a half baked job either. The production values are lush including accompaniment by the Sydney International Orchestra. Now, if you are not a fan of yodeling, it's unlikely that you will enjoy this music as Mary yodels her heart out through every number. For those of you who love yodeling,as I do, this cd will be pure joy. The smile will not leave your face the entire time you are listening and will linger for hours.

I love yodeling. I have heard fabulous yodeling of classical music, such as snippets by Bobby McFerin. I was excited to see this album, thought I might give it a try. Fortunately, the price tag made me look around the internet for a preview...glad I found it. Somehow this artist, though accomplished, manages to turn beautiful music and a beautiful vocal art form into kitschy shlock of the worst variety. Lawrence Welk, you have been upstaged!