After several recordings of American popular music, Te Kanawa has become a very effective crooner, phrasing with heretofore missing panache. The easy, jazzy Riddle-like arrangements are bouncy and appealing. But after 15 s... more »elections, the mysterious dissatisfaction of eating Chinese food and feeling hungry an hour later remains. Tunick writes in his program notes that "the waltz ballads ... are poignant and moving, but never stray into sentimentality." But why not? A little mushiness would serve this recording well, and also contribute to a desperately lacking variety of interpretation. Still, the voice is consistently gorgeous; it would just be nice to distinguish the happy songs from the sad. --Barbara Eisner Bayer« less
After several recordings of American popular music, Te Kanawa has become a very effective crooner, phrasing with heretofore missing panache. The easy, jazzy Riddle-like arrangements are bouncy and appealing. But after 15 selections, the mysterious dissatisfaction of eating Chinese food and feeling hungry an hour later remains. Tunick writes in his program notes that "the waltz ballads ... are poignant and moving, but never stray into sentimentality." But why not? A little mushiness would serve this recording well, and also contribute to a desperately lacking variety of interpretation. Still, the voice is consistently gorgeous; it would just be nice to distinguish the happy songs from the sad. --Barbara Eisner Bayer
"OK. Full disclosure: I'm one of those helpless souls who is just madly in love with the sounds that emanate from Dame Kiri Te Kanawa's vocal chords. I suppose there are many artists who can interpret Irving Berlin's songs with more, what's the word, authenticity?And I've heard many of them, and I love their work. But Kiri Te Kanawa is different. She was given one of the most beautiful instruments in the history of sound recordings. Thank God the recording companies figured out what they had and put her in front of a microphone early and often.We have had a rare opportunity to experience a great artist from almost the start of her career clear through to what now must be it's final stages.I, for one, feel privileged.Thank you, Dame Kiri. The world is a little better place because of you."
Jazzy and Beautiful
ColoraturaSoprano | my computer desk | 09/01/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This album exemplifies Kiri's amazing, vast dose of talent for musical interpretation. Though I tend to enjoy mostly classical music, this album has opened doors to a wonderful world of classical-jazz, which I find quite beautiful! Perhaps for some, it is an aquired taste...yet I was hooked the moment I heard track one...and have since become quite the "modern Kiri" fan!~Brava once again~"
I love it!
A reader/viewr in CA. | 05/14/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"If you like Irving Berlin and Kiri Te Kanawa you'll probably enjoy this album as much as I do!I can imagine Nick and Nora Charles listening to this at one of Nick's favorite dives! It will transport you to a sophisticated time and place that may have never existed except in literature and debutante coming out parties.Gatsby would have loved it, and surely would have invited Kiri to all his parties!"
More jazzy than ever
Stacey Martin | New Zealand | 08/12/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Kiri's voice has relaxed more and more over the years...this recording is her BEST to date! She interprets all these ballads with a wonderful amount of charm. If I was asked to listen to Fred Astaire sing 'Cheek to Cheek' again....I'd shake my head and say 'Kiri Te Kanawa does it better!'The selection is wonderful - the sad songs are poignant, the happy ones make you smile and the rest make you want to dance."
A most pleasant and moving interpretation of Berlin!!!
Stacey Martin | 03/24/1999
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Ms. Te Kanawa's voice was most riveting to listen to...one would almost imagine oneself in a different era...however I thought the ensemble overplayed her a bit...but, perhaps that is the way the sountrack was mixed...I would have rather heard a bit more of her beautiful voice...which I might add reminded me, somewhat, of another grand singer "Jeanette McDonald"...from the 30's-50's. still all in all I gave it a 4 stars...despite the musicians over playing Kiri... I am a relatively newcomer to Ms. Te kanawa's following ...but, hopefully will add to my collection of her tapes..."