Search - Opera Babes :: Renaissance (Eng)

Enchanting

J. Messinger | Taylor Mill, KY | 02/26/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I'm so glad to see the OperaBabes back in business and I feel compelled to add in my own two cents after seeing so many disappointed reviews. If there's one thing we can all agree on, it must be that OperaBabes listeners come from areas of many backgrounds, tastes, and preferences. It seems this ablum is clarifying their position, so if you are a casual fan I urge you to pick this up and see if it's for you. Even people who aren't partial to the new style and collection will find at least one song to treasure, and those who are like me and wanted more "new and different" will be thoroughly pleased. The first song along is worth the price of the CD in my opinion - it's simply enchanting."

Disappointed

V. Hart | Gulf Islands, BC Canada | 06/13/2006

(3 out of 5 stars)

"I had really been looking forward to the Opera Babes new release. Unfortunately, it's quite disappointing. If you want music to fall asleep to, this would fit the bill. Except for Bailero which is so distorted from the original Canteloube, to be unrecognizable. The voices are still beautiful, but the album is quite uninspiring."

3.5 stars: Not bad but certainly could have been better

E. Anderson | 02/26/2007

(3 out of 5 stars)

"I'm not a big fan of opera music. I find a lot of it too bombastic for my ears. What little opera music I do listen to is a mixture of pop and opera. Opera Babes help make opera music more palatable to those listeners who are not really opera fans. Their first cd "Beyond Imagination" was pretty good but it also predictable. When classical crossover was quite popular with me back in 2002 - 2003, I often hear the same songs they had on their debut cd on other albums in that genre. Five years later, the women return with their follow up "Renaissance" which is available as an import only.



I have to admit I found "Renaissance" to be rather lackluster on the initial listen. The songs are a little more obscure which I have to give the women for choosing songs that haven't been recorded by Celtic Woman, Il Divo, and Josh Groban. The first two songs on "Renaissance" did not do anything for me. I found them rather dull. As much as I hate "Send in the Clowns", I actually enjoyed Opera Babes' version. After "Send in the Clowns" the album actually improves quite a bit. Karen and Rebecca for the most part have definitely refined their vocals for the album. Their vocals are more restrained than on "Beyond Imagination" although there were a couple of tracks on "Renaissance" when I thought I was listening to cats in heat.



The more I have listened to "Renaissance", the more the album has grown on me. It is flawed but I like it to give the album 3.5 stars in my book. I just hope the women pick better material for the next album because I really do enjoy their music."