Guilty Guilty Guilty

Diamanda Galas

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 1, 2008)
• Original Release Date: April 1, 2008
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Mute/Caroline
• ASIN: B00114XQNC
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #79,576 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

2008 release, the much-anticipated collection of tragic and homicidal love songs, most of which were recorded at 'Diamanda's Valentines Day Massacre' at the Knitting Factory, New York City, February 14, 2006. Guilty Guilty Guilty is her 17th album, the first since 2003's Defixiones, Will And Testament and La Serpenta Canta. The dark queen of extended vocal techniques turns standards from Jazz, Blues, and Country music into her own musical genre. Using the full extent of her vocal arsenal and a virtuosic piano technique, Galás carves songs of doomed love into haunting works that promise to rip your heart out. Featured on the album are her much acclaimed reinterpretations of Ralph Stanley's reaper song, 'O Death'; O. V. Wright's '8 Men and 4 Women'; 'Long Black Veil' made popular by Johnny Cash; 'Time (Interlude)' sung by Timi Yuro; Tracy Nelson's 'Down So Low'; her signature rendition of 'Autumn Leaves'; and the favorite 'Heaven Have Mercy', made famous by Edith Piaf. Mute.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Ferocious & Melodic, April 12, 2008

By	Cliff Holt "cjholt73" (Hartford, CT) - See all my reviews

I've seen Galas a number of times and regardless of what you hear on record, it's necessary to experience her live. 'Guilty Guilty Guilty' is the first record (I feel) that brings you very close to that live experience. Malediction & La Serpenta both brought you close to that level but I feel Guilty truly has you arrive at that destination.

These songs are beautiful in a way I haven't heard from her before. The piano playing/arrangements are absolutely incredible this time. The Knitting Factory is a favorite of hers to play. It was the first time (2nd & 3rd) I saw her. So she's defeinitely at home to a very appreciative crowd here.

Interlude (Time) surprisingly finds Galas singing pretty straight out with no wailing or ornamentation. It's a first I've heard. The beautiful and touching piano arrangement adds so much to this song - and the whole record as well.

Highly recommended to the casual fan and the most dedicated.

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Diamanda and a piano - more darkness and despair, April 10, 2008

By	Steward Willons - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

"Guilty Guilty Guilty" finds Diamanda's voice alone with a piano performing to a live crowd at the Knitting Factory (and elsewhere, apparently). The result is similar to her previous "Malediction and Prayer." If you liked Malediction, you'll like Guilty. It's basically seven more covers turned very strange.

On the release of her 17th album, it's interesting to reflect on her voice and how it has changed over the years. The shrieks and screams are mostly replaced with growls, as her upper range is likely not what it used to be. While she's famous for her 3.5 octave vocal range and array of extended techniques, by 2008 she's become something a bit different. Even if she can't access her upper registers the way she did in the 80s, it doesn't really matter because her voice now has the maturity of age. In much the same way as Tom Waits' voice has become increasingly gravelly over the years, Diamanda's has aged into a quasi contralto with a distinctive gritty quality. She still breaks into her feats of vocal gymnastics periodically, and to great effect. And, she still has one of the most distinctive vocal styles.

This is a minor album in her discography, but one that I think many will enjoy. The songs are much more accessible than some of her long works such as "Vena Cava" or "Plague Mass." It flies by in a little less than 40 minutes. I'm giving the album four stars on a general scale. If I were to restrict my evaluation to Diamanda's music only, I'd probably rate it 3.5 stars, only because she has so many amazing albums, many of which are more ambitious in scope. That doesn't mean it's not worth buying though. While I favor "Malediction and Prayer" over "Guilty Guilty Guilty", this certainly deserves a place on every collector's shelf.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Galas does it again, April 8, 2008

By	Chad Chavers (San Diego, CA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Diamanda Galas is a very important musician to me. When my friend Dan introduced me to her music in New Orleans my first response was fear then laughter. I admit it takes some time to get used to Galas's style, but it has been a very rewarding journey. This new album is great. She sticks to the same style of hyper expression, vocal terror. Some of the songs show a tamer side of hers then explode once again with the famous "o death" Her usual growls and snarls are noticeable to any fan. If you like Galas I would recommend this album. If you are new to Diamanda's work I would suggest her album "The Singer" first as it is by far the most thrilling amazing compilation and "Vena Cava" is a close second.