Search - Bill Whelan, Paul Simon, Irish Traditional :: Spirit Voices

Not their best work, but it's OK

Bron Mitchell | Melbourne, Australia | 06/09/2001

(3 out of 5 stars)

"As an avid King's Singers fan I know what a fantastic sound this group is capable of producing, and one of the things that attracts me most is their versatility and their enormous repertoire. From madrigals to folk songs to popular tunes, there is nothing that the King's Singers cannot do - and do well at that. And even though this recording isn't their best work, I still stand by that conviction. I have difficulty pinpointing exactly what it is about this CD that misses the mark. It just seems to be minus that "edge", that certain special "King's Singers touch" that is evident in most of their music. Part of it might be that the majority of these songs have one person doing the lead vocals and the rest of the group subordinated to the role of back-up singers. Don't get me wrong, they still do it well, but I bought the CD to hear all of them, preferably in more or less equal amounts, not five of them singing "oohs" and "aahs" and one soloist. Mind you, this demerit is (almost) forgiven by the fact that Bob Chilcott's solo voice is gorgeous, and I have no qualms whatsoever about the gentle, lilting touch he adds to Lift the Wings and In Your Eyes. In fact, I believe his voice is the most redeeming quality of this production!I suppose I would also prefer this CD if there were more a cappella items (I think there are only 2, possibly 3), and they would do well to lose the guest lead vocalists whom they introduced for four of the songs. While it's always nice to see artists collaborating, I would take the King's Singers over the others any day!My favourite tracks on here are most definitely the first four but, although I hate to say it, the whole calibre of the recording goes downhill from there. Vienna is just strange, and The Lord's Prayer, the final song on the CD, is so woeful I could barely stand to listen to it right through! Everything else falls into the "yeah, it's OK I guess" category - pleasant to listen to but not overly inspiring.On balance, I'm glad I purchased it, but for those who are just beginning to love the King's Singers, a word of advice: If you want to hear this group sing contemporary music, Good Vibrations is a far superior album."

Pop Music re-invented... in complete harmony!

Bron Mitchell | 02/23/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This one is a real winner. I never thought The King's Singers could put pop music to a higher level. Classic songs from Crowded House, Peter Gabriel, Sade, Sting, The Beach Boys, Paul Simon and others are given wonderful new interpretations. This album has gotten me hooked, now I need to great the works from this fantastic group."

Charming collection

S. M. Ferguson | Grew up in St. Paul's Crocus Hill, now in New Jers | 01/26/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This album doesn't seem that typical of The King's Singers, but I found it charming and listenable. If you take your analytical hat off, release your prejudices and just let their interpretations carry your thoughts and feelings, you'll find it a very pleasant journey."