Yanni Voices [CD/DVD]

Yanni

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 24, 2009)
• Original Release Date: March 24, 2009
• Number of Discs: 2
• Label: Disney
• ASIN: B001RJ1XV8
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (268 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,169 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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Editorial Reviews

About the Artist

Listen again to Yanni's melodies, composed over an incomparable 22-year career, and it becomes clear: The man's music was meant to be sung. Revered for his sweeping symphonic pieces and intimate keyboard airs, Yanni long resisted having vocalists reinterpret his music with lyrics. That is, until now with his premiere Disney Pearl album, "Yanni Voices." More than two years in the making, "Voices" is without question Yanni's most ambitious project yet.

Teaming up with Grammy-winning producer Ric Wake, Yanni went all out, discovering four young singers - Nathan Pacheco, Ender Thomas, Leslie Mills and Chloe - and pairing them with his compositions, old and new. Rather than hire established wordsmiths, Ric and Yanni turned them loose, encouraging the four to write lyrics for the melodies that moved them most. It proved a winning gamble.

Product Description

AS SEEN ON PBS
Yanni makes a triumphant return with the addition of "voices." For the first time ever, new vocal sensations Nathan Pacheco, Leslie Mills, Ender Thomas and Chloe lend their voices and lyrics to Yanni's beloved classics and new songs.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Astounding Musical Experience, May 28, 2009

By	Joel S. Peters (New Jersey, USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

About 2 months ago I happened to catch a PBS broadcast of this concert performance, and I was instantly mesmerized by it. This experience led me to buy the CD and then ultimately see Yanni in concert at Radio City Music Hall on May 2. It was an absolutely amazing event, both musically and visually.

Previously, I only owned Yanni's "Live at the Acropolis" CD. I recently bought three more of his CDs, and all are nothing short of excellent. As far as I know, all of Yanni's previous works are almost entirely instrumental, so "Voices" represents a departure from his usual work in that regard. There is still a connection, however, to these other works because several of the tracks on "Voices" are previous Yanni songs with lyrics added. The lyrics were either written entirely by the singers themselves or in collaboration with Yanni (and a few others).

I can understand that some reviewers may be unaccustomed to hearing a substantial vocal content to Yanni's music, but this in no way detracts from the album. Quite the contrary, the vocals are profoundly moving and make this album a phenomenal piece of artistry. If I had to characterize the vocal quality of each of the four singers I would say:

Chloe: sultry, sensual
Leslie Mills: angelic, velvety
Nathan Pacheco: majestic, emotive
Ender Thomas: impassioned, exotic

The album has 17 tracks which represent a rather eclectic mix of music:

1) Omaggio (Tribute): performance by Nathan with Chloe on a few background vocals in the beginning; Italian lyrics
2) The Keeper: solo performance by Leslie
3) Our Days: a mostly instrumental piece (Middle-Eastern flavor) with some vocals by Leslie
4) Never Leave the Sun: solo performance by Leslie
5) Before the Night Ends: solo performance by Leslie
6) 1001: instrumental
7) Más Allá: solo performance by Ender; Spanish lyrics
8) Unico Amore (Enchantment): solo performance by Nathan; Italian lyrics
9) Vivi Il Tuo Sogno (Almost a Whisper): solo performance by Nathan; Italian lyrics
10) Orchid: instrumental (Asian flavor)
11) Set Me Free: solo performance by Chloe
12) Kill Me With Your Love: solo performance by Chloe
13) Mi Todo Eres Tú (Until the Last Moment): duet by Chloe and Ender; lyrics in Spanish (mostly) and English
14) Rituál de Amor (Desire): solo performance by Ender; Spanish lyrics
15) Moments Without Time: instrumental (piano and guitar)
16) Nei Tuoi Occhi (In the Mirror): duet by Chloe and Nathan; Italian and English lyrics
17) Amare di Nuovo (Adagio in C Minor): solo performance by Nathan; Italian lyrics

I would also add that the musicians on this album, especially those who play violin, cello, and harp, are incredibly talented. (Each of them was spotlighted in a solo performance at the Radio City Music Hall concert.)

I would heartily recommend this album. I have not stopped listening to it since I bought it. In my estimation, it not only represents the amazing musical talent that Yanni possesses, it also is a forum to introduce four very gifted singers to the music/performance world.

Other Considerations:
This CD comes packaged with a bonus DVD that includes the following tracks (some of which are not on the CD): Unico Amore (Enchantment), Kill Me With Your Love, Change, Ritual de Amor (Desire), Before the Night Ends, Amare di Nuovo (Adagio in C Minor), Mi Todo Eres Tu (Until the Last Moment), The Keeper, Nei Tuoi Occhi (In the Mirror), Bajo el Cielo de Noviembre (November Sky), Omaggio (Tribute), and Tour Highlights. These tracks are *not* taped from tour performances; they are studio versions, either with Yanni sitting at the piano playing while one of the four singers performs a song or tapings of studio recordings (the duets). The tracks also include some commentary by Yanni and the album's producer, Rick Wake.

The CD comes with a menu of choices that include links to (a) get the lyrics to the album's songs; (b) join Yanni's fan club; (c) get information about this album's tour; and (d) tell Disney records what you think about the CD.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Yanni Lost It, May 28, 2009

By	Ingrid "drucilla" - See all my reviews

I really hope this is only a temporary state for Yanni or else he will blend in with the rest of the glitzy commercial entertainment and be completely gone from the new age scene. Any fan who followed Yanni from his early years and loved his music must be terribly disappointed with this latest development. I bought the CD and went to the concert and it was heart breaking. Many of the old band members were gone and not much of the old music was played either. Instead I had to listen to these singers for hours. Yanni did have vocals in the past, but they were quite classy. These girls gave it a dose of sexy commercial display (the dance on the piano quite disgusting)- something you can see all over cheap TV - thus completely destroying Yanni's spiritual message that he expressed so well with his music. As for the guys, one would be better off in the opera and the other one on some Latino stage. While both talented, I did not care to listen to them singing Yanni's music that is so great because there were no voices to begin with. Voices are all over the TV and radio, but finding good instrumental music is really hard.

Although the concert was technically very well executed, it will not touch your soul like in the past. I will not listen to this CD and will not buy the DVD either. My only hope is that Yanni will eventually drop the voices and return to what made him so unique and loved.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Dynamic Album!, May 29, 2009

By	R. Oldes (Niagara Falls, NY) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

After seeing Yanni and these four young people on PBS I just had to add this to my collection. Some of these songs will send shivers down your spine! they are so beautiful. And Yanni seems so in his element nurturing young talent this way.