Ofra Haza 1997 [EXTRA TRACKS] [IMPORT]

Ofra Haza

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 24, 1997)
• Original Release Date: March 2, 1999
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Extra tracks, Import
• Label: Ariola Germany
• ASIN: B000025Q54
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #71,856 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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  Music > World Music > Middle East > Israel

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
The Late Israeli Pop Star's Final Set of Recordings were Recorded at Nemo Studios and Mixed at Abbey Road by Frank Peterson, who is Responsible for the Meteoric Rise of Sarah Brightman as a Classical Crossover Artist. Perhaps the Same Might have Happened for Haza Had Fate Not Intervened. Haza Chose to Update her First Big International Hit Here, the Jewish Traditional "im Nin Alu", which was Sampled Orginally on Marrs "Pump Up the Volume", Bringing her to the Attention of a Vast Audience Far Beyond her Wildest Dreams.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

44 of 44 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Now a legend..., March 2, 2000

By	nmischel "nmischel" (USA) - See all my reviews

It is sad that I write this just days after it was announced that Ofra died of AIDS February 23, 2000. What a voice; able to transcend traditional Israeli music, mixing in dance grooves and occassional hard-edged dred (like her work with Sisters of Mercy and Black Dog). Her contribution to the "Prince of Egypt" and "The Governess" soundtracks were nice as well. This, her last released album, showcases her ability to cover all types of genres. There are slow, haunting songs; as well as upbeat, optimistic tunes. If this is to be her last album we hear, it is indeed one that grips your heart (now more than ever)-- because her story-telling really shines through. The words in these songs can really pull at your heart because they are so sentimental, such as in her version of the James Taylor classic "You've Got a Friend." It is unfortunate that we in the States barely realized Ofra's talents. This import truly showcases them and one should obtain it simply because there isn't a lot of stuff out there that we have access to. If you know similar artists, please let me know because now there is a big void missing in my music collection with her gone... My heart goes out to fellow fans and her family; we must stop AIDS soon! {Best bets: Amina and Natacha Atlas, [e-mail]}

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The voice of an angel..., April 15, 2004

By	"littlenesha" (Norman, OK) - See all my reviews

Ofra Haza has(or HAD) the most beautiful voice I have ever heard. Truly the voice of an angel. I have just recently become interested in her music after finding out that it's her voice on that Paula Abdul song I've always liked(My love is for real). I always thought it was Paula who sang that background part & I wondered why she always sounded so boring in every other song but so good in this one! No wonder, it was Ofra singing, not Paula(no offense Paula, you're still great).

My favorite song of Ofra's is probably either Im Nin Alu or Gavriel. I love to sing along with her when I'm driving, I'm sure many people have gotten a good laugh hearing me belt out Hebrew 80's music! I am truly amazed by the clarity & timbre of her voice, and the ridiculously wonderful control she had over it. Her singing really does give me chills.

In a way I feel close to her b/c I have been told I resemble her. I can definitely see it, we have similar features & the same coloring. I'm Middle Eastern as well(Egyptian, not Israeli though). It is SO sad that she is dead now. Why couldn't it have been Britney Spears or someone other worthless tramp who can't sing?! The world lost its best singer 4 years ago with Ofra's death.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A voice to move you to tears, November 18, 2000

By	"dark_sidhe" (Calgary, Alberta Canada) - See all my reviews

The impact of losing Ofra Haza on popular music is impossible to gauge... from the direction she was taking in this album, one can only imagine what she might do next. I personally don't care what she died of, it's just tragic.

Both Sarah Brightman and Ofra Haza had the same producer (Frank Peterson, who has worked with Enigma) and the cross-genre classical-pop styling and quality of their voices are not dissimilar. Fan of Sarah Brightman that I am, though, her voice has never literally moved me to tears as Ofra's has. Sometimes it sounds as she is singing past tears herself -- like her throat has closed a tiny bit -- and it's heartwrenching.

I would also like to note that I had a number of her songs on mp3. I liked them so much I'm purchasing the album...