Prelude: The Best of Charlotte Church
Amazon.com
Need more evidence of the record industry’s obsession with youth? Consider that budding Welsh diva Charlotte Church was a ripe, old 16 when this, her first greatest-hits anthology was released. Spanning her first four releases, as well as some outside collaborations and unreleased material, this 18-track collection underscores the soprano’s seemingly boundless potential–as well as some potential career obstacles ahead. Her crystalline, still-maturing voice is best showcased… More >>
The most positive aspect of this album by Charlotte is that there are an abundance of songs. The most glaring negative aspect is that the song selection brings out the Worst of Charlotte Church. To include Habanera, a song which was written for a Mezzo, and on which Charlotte floundered badly, both on this CD and live, is insanity. Its the last song I thought I would ever see her associated with again. Secondly, to include “The Prayer”, a beautiful song, with the brilliant Josh Groban joining for a duet, only serves to exacerbate the fact that Charlotte no longer has the power of voice she once had. The result sounds as if a middle-school vocal student is in a duet with her teacher.
I am also miffed by why Carrickfergus, the one bright spot on an otherwise dull 4th album was omitted from this collection. The inclusion of My Lagan Love serves as somewhat of an offset and the inclusion of the bouncy La Pastorella reminds us of just how far Charlotte dared to proceed down the road of Opera.
While Pie Jesu remains her theme song, I believe that she would be better off leaving it alone seeing that her voice is no longer able to generate that level of high-octave volume.
All things be considered,including her age at the time, in my opinion, she would have been better off, re-issuing Voice of an Angel with a few added tracks, as for all practical purposes, that was The Best Of Charlotte Church.
Rating: 2 / 5
Let’s hope that this is the last of Charlotte Church. Her voice is just AWFUL!!! Her own rendition of Amazing Grace was just horrific. And her duet with Josh Groban (The Prayer) was a joke!!! Don’t even bother.
Rating: 1 / 5
There’s no denying the girl has talent, but enough for opera? I don’t think so. I’m no professional, but her voice is weak to my ears. She’s raspy, airy and sounds just plain weak. She doesn’t sing from her stomach, but from the back of her throat. Very annoying to listen to.
Rating: 2 / 5
This album should have never been made. None of Charlotte Church’s albums should have been made. She was too young and her voice was too fragile. She should have been singing in church choirs not huge stages. This album is horrible. Her technique and breathing is horrendous and her pitch is not placed at all. With a lot of training she may and I emphasis may have been able to sing in a opera choir but her voice is not impressive, despite her age and all she will do is ruin it. I’m not sure if that really matters though.
Rating: 1 / 5
I’ve been a fan of charlotte church since her first cd voice of
an angel. I have to say this cd is excellent. So I say buy this
cd NOW[!] It’s a must have for any charlotte church fan.
Rating: 5 / 5