I Believe / Chain of Fools / Summertime [SINGLE]

Fantasia Barrino

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 22, 2004)
• Original Release Date: June 22, 2004
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Single
• Label: J-Records
• ASIN: B0002BSFQI
• Also Available in: Vinyl
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (804 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #122,769 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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• This item is part of The American Idol Series.

Track Listings

1. I Believe

2. Chain of Fools

3. Summertime

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

71 of 81 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Three solid singles from the "American Idol 3" winner, July 8, 2004

By	Lawrance M. Bernabo (The Zenith City, Duluth, Minnesota) - See all my reviews (TOP 10 REVIEWER)    (COMMUNITY FORUM 04)

It is too early to tell if Fantasia Barrino will be the most successful American Idol winner to date, but at least this CD-Single gets the 19-year-old singer off to a good start. In addition to the official "American Idol 3" single "I Believe" Fantasia sings both "Chain of Fools" and "Summertime." All three of these songs are ones that she did on the show, so the first plus here is that we get the entire version of the latter two songs and not the mini-versions contestants are forced to sing. Plus, you have the advantage one being an Aretha Franklin standard and the other a classic written by George Gershwin.

My only complain with "I Believe" is the same I had with the first "American Idol" CD-Single for Kelly Clarkson, which is that I actually prefer the emotional touch of the official song sung on the show to the polished studio version. That is the memory I have of watching "American Idol" the last week of season three. The woman feeds off of her audience and dollars to donuts she will always come across better live than in the studio. On "Chain of Fools" big props to the producer, who comes up with a funkier beat for the classic, which makes it easier for Fantasia to provide her own take on the song (note how she powers through on the final note of the bridge). "Summertime" is one of the great American songs of all-time and the contrast between Fantasia's vocals versus the string section and the rest of the jazz bits is nice, although I would probably strip down the instrumentation even more to focus on the voice even more.

So you have one gospel, one R&B, and one jazz song for this debut solo effort, which reinforces the range of what Fantasia is going to be able to do in the future. Plus by having three tracks instead of two this is the best "American Idol" CD-Single to date. Final Note: Just be sure that you pick up this CD-Single and not the one with "I Believe" and "Dreams," because this is clearly the one that you want.

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Single! Can't Wait for the Full Album., June 22, 2004

By A Customer

Just got the single today after hearing some clips on iTunes. These songs really are perfected and her energy and personality really come out. Today my favorite is "Summertime". By the end of the week it may be "I Believe" or "Chain of Fools"; all of the songs are really good. Looking forward to a video for "I Believe". If you haven't got the single, I recommend you get it. Chances are you'll eventually get it anyway once you hear the songs on the radio; It's that excellent!

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A star on the rise, June 22, 2004

By A Customer

EXCELLENT......A must have