Artist: Andrea Bocelli

Brilliant!, 2008-02-18
I have this CD on constant repeat! The music is so varied but holds your attention every step of the way. Bocelli's voice is one you just have to fall in love with. His "Romanza" is 1 of my favourites but "Vivo Per Lei" has me hooked also. GET THIS CD!!!!!!

Artist: Andrea Bocelli

Incanto is the first studio album from Italian operatic star Andrea Bocelli since 2006's Amore, stop-gapped of course by last year's Vivere. Now twenty albums deep and heading for 70 million sales worldwide, there doesn't seem to be much Bocelli can do wrong, though perhaps key to his success is his refusal to rest on his laurels--to always present a considered and varied selection of material. On Incanto he again offers a well-selected mix of folk songs, operatic evergreens and musical hits. Opening with a stunning collaboration with singer Veronica Berti, "Un Amore Cosi Grande" ("A Love So Great") the album gets off to an impassioned start. A romantic thread is weaved through "O Surdato Nnammurato", Cesare Andrea Bixio's "Mamma", and "Voglio Vivere Cosi", while album highlights include Neopolitan classic "Santa Lucia" and the 19th century folk song "Funiculi Funicula"--an ode to the first funicular on Mount Vesuvius. Add to that the soaring "Because", and the sweeping "Era De Maggio" (featuring Anna Bonitatibus) and you have what is arguably Bocelli's best collection since Romanza. --Danny McKenna
Sublime, 2008-11-28
This is an outstanding album that finds Bocelli in wonderful voice. There's not a bad track here, with the emphasis on the great Neapolitan canzones. If one discounts Caruso as THE singer of such songs as a native of Naples, they have seldom been sung better. The song selection is excellent, with every one having a high "hummability" factor.
Bocelli appears to be a tenor at the height of his powers. The ending to Funiculi Funicula is breathtaking but a mere precursor to brilliance with the extraordinary D flat that ends Because. The latter is far from a "lounge" song as the Amazon review suggests, having been done by any tenor with his salt from Caruso through Gigli, Lanza and Domingo. I've not yet heard anyone take the final note with such gusto and Bocelli should be congratulated for a version that is now the best on record. His English is endearing on the song but his phrasing, technique and tone are all exquisite here.
Like a previous reviewer, I wish he would do less "pop" material as he is too good for a lot of that. While classically trained but much less technically correct and gifted tenors such as Russell Watson, Jonathan Ansell and Paul Potts have their fans - and to be fair, do introduce newcomers to the classical repertoire - there are few finer tenors around today than Bocelli. Pavarotti rated him highly and the approval of one of the three greatest tenors of all time (Caruso and Bjoerling being the others)should be enough for us all. If you're looking to treat yourself, or a friend, this is the album to buy.

Artist: Salvation Army

A good move by the Salvation Army, 2008-12-03
Hhhmmm - a few negative reviews because this is 1) not completely Christian music or 2) moves away from the tradition of Salvation Army bands and band music or 3) not up to the standard of Army bands and the Staff band specifically.

I'm afraid I can't agree - this is excellent and exactly what the Army should be doing, reaching out to people with something a bit more accessible. Reaching out and providing help and support is the heritage of the Army, after all "Heart to God and hand to man".

Over the last few years the Army and the work it does has become less and less visible, to the point where most people under 30 have no idea who or what the Salvation Army is. As a result this CD is just the sort of marketing the Army needs to remind people of its mission, its focus, its value to the community, while providing an uplifting and relaxing musical experience. Getting into the top 25 on the Amazon best sellers list is a commendable achievement and may there be many more like this in the future !

Artist: Libera

Libera loopy, 2008-12-22
First of all I have to say that I was skeptical about buying a best off Libera CD. I do after all have all of the albums (and itunes remixes). Is the price worth the extra new tracks? I decided, for the sake of completion, that it was - and I'm glad that I did.

First the facts - this is a double album containing 32 tracks, six of which are listed as 'new' This does in fact mean new to CD as Sempiterna - remix, and Heaven - remix (fabulous!...a few more like this please!) are available to buy/download on itunes. Gaudete has been recorded by Libera in the past, so technically this leaves only three genuinely new tracks.

The first thing I noticed as 'Sanctus' began (the first non-new track) is that some of the familiar songs sound a little different...let me explain. Some of the songs have new musical arrangements to the existing vocal lines, others as far as I can tell have newly recorded vocal lines on the existing laid down music tracks, some have both. Sometimes the difference is extremely subtle, (where only a 'loopy' fan like myself who knows the music inside-out, would notice), other times it is quite obvious. As far as I'm concerned this is fabulous, it's like a whole new album for me, although I can understand that not everyone may get as enthused as myself about such subtleties.

In short, if you are new to Libera then this is a great place to start. If you are a part-time fan, then you may feel cheesed off that you are buying so many tracks that you may already have for the sake of a handful of new ones (although we were treated to a whole new album just a few months ago - 'New Dawn') If you are a payed up member of the 'Libera fruitcake society' then you will love it for the subtle differences...the new tracks, in fact it is just an excuse (if you need one) to put Libera into your CD player again, if you were silly enough to take the last Libera CD out!

In this day and age where the boy treble voice is suffering a bout of un-fashionability (not least from boys themselves who are scared of realising the beautiful potential of their upper ranges), and where church choirs are having their centuries old tradition of all-boy treble choirs changed to mixed girl/boy trebles for the sake of political correctness (and dwindling numbers of boys)...we need Libera. Long may they continue their important and enjoyable work. And how about some more live concerts Mr Prizeman? in the UK preferably!

Artist: John Rutter

Universal Classics John Rutter Con-trick, 2008-12-28
The Ultimate Collection
This CD is a relabelling of The John Rutter Collection from 2002. The only thing that is different is the label & packaging. All tracks are identical with identical running time, even the order of tracks is the same. Just one big con-trick - it spoilt a small part of my Christmas when my wife opened the package & told me it was the same as the one I had bought way back!
My local Trading Standards will be informed just in case this is in anyway illegal.

Artist: Various Artists

Love this Album, 2008-12-18
I bought this album, because I loved the choir called "Revelation" and I wasn't disappointed. I'm at a loss to know why they haven't produced an album yet !!!, because I thought they were the true "winners" of the series. Never mind this album will suffice until I see their new album on Amazon

Artist: Monks of The Cistercian Abbey Stift Heiligenkreuz

Lets all chant , 2008-12-17
This can only be described as a hidden gem. These monks deserve exposure.The irony is, of course, they are not seeking this. It's clear that their chanting comes straight from thei rsoles, and I'll bet ( it's a pretty safe one) that they've reached optimum tranquility in their lives.
Give this a spin and you'll achieve a level of spiritual insight of which listeners to the priests can only dream. Is it life changing ? well, no, but if you're asking me if this is a CD capable of lifting the spirits and sharpening the perspective of a stressed urbanite, well it would have to be a yes. The only slight downside to a purchase of this is that you often find yourself in a quandary of doubt as to whether or not to join in the chanting, but as criticisms go this is a fairly friendly one, and if you can live with uncertainty ( and this is a skill which develops a pace as you listen to this) then this could be the disc for you

Artist: John Rutter, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Farnham Youth Choir

A Christmas Festival - Fabulous!, 2008-12-14
What a fantastic experience, my daughter is in the FYC choir. We had the privelege of seeing this performed live at the Albert Hall Christmas 2007, the experience was out of this world. This CD is a must for anyone. Buy it now!!

Artist: Fron Male Voice Choir

Voices of the Valley - Home, the best so far!, 2008-11-30
Another really great offering from this Welsh Male Voice Choir that compliments the previous two. I thought the mix of "easy listening" and traditional choir pieces really set out the talents of this group. The voices are complimented with some beautiful arrangements and orchestrations to make it 45 minutes of sheer joy.

Artist: Only Men Aloud

Not just reality show one-offs, 2009-01-02
A really enjoyable, easy listening CD that would be a worthy purchase with your Christmas Amazon gift vouchers. Only Men Aloud! were very worthy winners of Last Choir Standing and the polish added by careful professional production has resulted in a truly high-class collection of songs. The competition favourite All By Myself is quite rightly here, as are many other favourites. Cwm Rhondda is a Welsh choral standard and this version doesn't disappoint. Soothing, relaxing and stirring songs from a choir that have set new standards in choral music.