Lured by the whispers of a 40% off coupon I found myself at Borders Books and Music yesterday, looking for something I did not need: another book to take home. After a cursory search which turned up battered copies of all the books I was interested in buying, I decided to visit the hospitality suite (aka, restroom) on my way out of the store (thinking to myself how I would be able to brag to Jeff that I managed to go into Borders with said coupon and not spend any money*). My path took me past the music aisle, however, and my journey was arrested: Sarah Brightman has a new cd out, and the packaging was eye catching to say the least.
Sarah Brightman has been a particular favorite for more than a decade. My dear friend Scott introduced me to her album Dive not long before he moved to NYC and I have snatched up nearly every album and DVD concert that she has produced over the years. Sarah’s fame began when Andrew Lloyd Weber created the role of Christine Daae in Phantom of the Opera. It is a singular regret that I have never been able to see her perform this role.
An aside: on the extras of the 2 disc Phantom of the Opera DVD set you can see glimpses of her rehearsing the role on a fantastic making of the musical featurette.
And so, Sarah Brightman has a new CD out, Symphony, which sports image after image of fantastic art that reminds me of the graphic novel art of Victoria Frances and her creation, Favole. One of the things I have always loved about Sarah is her sense of the theatrical. Her pop albums and many of her classics albums (with more traditional operatic music) are thematic creations with sets and costumes to match the musical motif. I have always wanted to see her perform live. Her DVD live performances are a dramatic spectacle. These images are fantastic, aren’t they? The liner notes indicate that some of this is content from the game Guild Wars. Very interesting.
So what about the music you may say? Well, for those of you unfamiliar with Sarah Brightman’s work, she has been called ‘the best-selling soprano of all time’ and I certainly wouldn’t argue that point. Across the the vast canvas of her work one can find beautiful traditional classical music alongside pop-ish mixes of various genres of music. Almost always her songs highlight her greatest attribute: a distinct and beautiful voice that conveys the true power and majesty of music.
Symphony is an interesting blend of traditional music with powerful, driving rock and orchestral music mixes. The album contains four duets (Andrea Bocelli, Paul Stanley, Alessandro Safina, and Fernando Lima). I generally prefer it when it is just Sarah and/or Sarah and a choral background, but these duets are very good. I was not thrilled with the Paul Stanley duet initially. I had a hard time getting the image of him decked out in his Kiss make-up. But after a couple of listen throughs it is growing on me and there are portions of the song that are really well done. Andrea Bocelli: that boy can sing! His voice is so powerful it cuts through you.
The album opens, as many of hers do, with a brief intro, ‘Gothica’, that blends into the second track, ‘Fleurs du Mal’. It is a bombastic, orchestral powerhouse and sets the tone for what turns out to be a very nice album. I like nearly every song, some are tremendous works, and a few are merely passable. There was nothing that I was disappointed with. The album officially closes with the song Running, which is a combination of Gustav Holst’s original Jupiter, from “The Planets”, and her own creation. It works and is very interesting. That Holst tune is a favorite and she sings it so beautifully that I would have preferred that the song stand alone, but her arrangement is still very good and creative in the way that much of Sarah’s music is.
As she often does, Sarah includes a secret track on the album, so as the last song plays out it continues with dead air until the hidden song appears. It is an orchestral track which bookends with the beginning track quite nicely.
Listening to Sarah Brightman for me is always an experience that transcends the mere act of listening to music. There is such a strong connection with her music to my relationship with my friend Scott and since he lives so far away her music always makes me feel a bit melancholy. It is an enjoyable melancholy, however, born of good friendship. Her music is something I generally equate with fall and winter as well. How apt that it happened to be snowing as I popped the CD in my truck for the ride home from Borders.
In addition to her beautiful voice I have always found Sarah Brightman to be a beautiful woman. Since she decided to cut her hair to a more manageable length and has went away from the more messy look that she used to sport, she actually looks younger and even more stunning. The blonde wig (I assume) in the promo shots for the album is really fun, but I much prefer her raven tresses.
I strongly encourage you to check out her website. It has been retooled for this album and looks great. While there you can hear samples of the album. If you click on the Sound & Vision tab and select Video Collection you can watch a promo video for the album that looks great. I hope there is a DVD collection for this album in the future.
Rumor has it that March will see her live performance of this tour in Vienna on PBS as part of their fund-raising event. Generally some time after this a live DVD of the performance comes out and I know I am crossing my fingers for that one.
Whether you are a fan of Sarah Brightman or are looking for something new in the avenue of music, I strongly encourage you to give Symphony, and Sarah, a listen.
*And incidentally, the 40% off coupon was for a book only, not music, so I ended up leaving with a copy of Michael Swanwick’s book, Dragons of Babel (for the next Once Upon a Time Challenge). Its cover, an image by Stephan Martiniere, fits thematically with the art on the Symphony album. A bit of unplanned serendipity that I thought I would share.
I’ve never heard of her before but then again I’m more of a Sports Radio listener than music listener in the car. I only have old cd’s and just a few of them at that. I’ll have to take the time to checkout her website though soon based on those images above. Great gothic images. Very cool.
I think I am going to have to buy this for Bob for Valentine’s Day. Beautiful and breathtaking! Jenn would have loved not only the music but the incredible art.
So much for bragging about getting out of there without buying a book, huh?
Wow, how strange is this?!! I’ve never heard of her until this post.. then she winds up being a guest on the View singing the title song from the cd!!!
I wonder how she would sound doing a duet with Josh Groban?
Deslily: Shes done duets with Josh before, I believe. I saw that she was doing a bunch of tv appearances this week promoting the album.
Jeff: It is unlikely that you would hear much of Sarah’s music on regular radio stations. Classical Italian operatic music isn’t generally on pop radio stations. I’m hard pressed to know whether or not you would like this stuff or not.
Cynthia: I think Jenn would have liked this as well. I’m not sure I would consider this her best album. It is very good, but I am also viewing it through the eyes of a fan. My favorite albums of hers are Eden and La Luna. Both have a similar mixture of traditonal classic stuff and stuff created specifically by or for the album. They are stronger CD’s in my opinion. This one is by far the coolest looking though! And as I said the music is quite good.
Debi: You noticed that, did you? š
I do like Sarah Brightman, although I haven’t listened to her in ages.
Love the album art, very powerful gothic images. Yum!
I saw Sarah in concert during her Harem album. It was fabulous! (As an aside, could you drop by my blog and recommend some alternative/scifi type books. I put up a post about it.)
Thanks Carl!
Oh wow! Love those photos!
This is on our in-store playlist for February and we’ve already started listening to it. I think it’s fabulous. I just hope I don’t tire of it by March 1st, as we tend to listen to the same cds over and over and over again at work.
Great review, Carl.
Les…working at Waldenbooks years ago ruined many a Disney cartoon for me that same way. It took me years before I could start liking Robin Hood again and not cringing everytime I heard the songs.
Heather: I’m jealous. I will think of some suggestions and post them on your site.
Ladytink: They are indeed fantastic. I am very impressed. They are like a Friday Favorite all their own.
Quixotical: Sarah does have a very gothic element to her theatrical presentation generally and it is one of the things I like about her.
I’ve heard of her, but I’m yet to actually listen to her music. I love those promo pictures, though!
PS: I wanted to let you know I gave you that “you make my day” award that’s been going around š
Stopped here by way of Colleen Gleason’s blog with every intention of reading the post about her, and then Sarah caught my eye. I heart Sarah. I got to see her in concert on the La Luna tour, and actually got to meet her. She was wonderful.
I’ve heard rumors (and having see “THE HAIR” in person, that her messy, black spiral curl ‘do was a wig that she wore over shorter hair so that when she went out with the wig off and without all the dramatic make-up she wouldn’t be recognized. Up close, it did look quite fake, though it could have been extensions, as well. But I agree, she is so beautiful right now. I think this might be the best she’s ever looked. And the new album is wonderful. It’s her best since “Time To Say Goodbye,” I think.
I always wondered. If you look at the video of La Luna up close it really does look like her hair, at least in the front and I read somewhere the other day that she did actually have long hair that she cut recently, but that always goes down to whether or not one believes what they read. Either way it wasn’t my favorite and I like her hair in these pictures much better.
Very cool that you saw that tour and met her. I’m envious. It is a great album. I think albums like Eden and La Luna and Classics are stronger taken as a whole, but Symphony is still wonderful.
Nymeth: I saw that and am very grateful. Thank you so much. If you ever check out SB I’d be interested in your thoughts.
Stumbled upon your fantastic choice in music while doing a google search on my favorite artist (Sarah of course). So nice to see such wonderful praise and comments. Her website is indeed awesome and Ive been to both the Eden and Harem concerts. Shes very wonderful in person too if you get the chance to meet her. The Symphony Live In Vienna dvd (and live cd!) should be released by the end of March or beginning of April if past experiences tell me anything.
Glad you like the cd!
Thanks for stopping by Mike. One of these days I’ll get to see Sarah live. Until then the CDs and DVD performances will fill the void. She is an amazing performer and I’m thrilled to hear that she is a pleasure to meet as well.
Another fabulous CD. I’ve been waiting patiently for four years for this. I’ve seen her in concert four times and each time is etched in my memory. La Luna and Eden are my favorites with Harem coming in third. Her concerts have been spectacular and I’ve taken other friends whom had not heard of her and they came away thrilled. One criticism is that I think she had one too many duets on this CD. Can’t wait for the tour or DVD.
I wish there were less duets as well Marty. It is not that I didn’t enjoy them, but this felt less like the kind of cohesive albums that she has done in the past because of the frequent duets.
Neat, most of those backgrounds are from the Echovald Forest in the Guild Wars, in Kurzick lands.
Thanks Carl. To specify, the Vienna dvd is a one off filmed for the PBS market and will also be released for sale. A full tour is scheduled to start in the US this fall. The artwork in the cd booklet is from an artist by the name of Daniel Dociu and is indeed from the video game Guild Wars and is used with consent per the booklet credits. Very ingenious.
It is very ingenious. I love that for so many reasons, not the least of which is that I love computer gaming. Thanks. Cannot wait to pick up that DVD.
My wife and I saw the Harem Tour in Atlantic City NJ and The goosebumps have yet to recede after 2 years! She hit a note that almost made me wet myself. Awesome Awesome show. And I am a 30 year Rush fan… shhhh! Thanks
I think she looks more amazing. The older she becomes the more fabulous shes looking. Love the new Symphony Album and look forward to the DvD Symphony Live in Vienna 2008. Hope Sarah tours New Zealand for the Symphony World Tour.
Take care everyone
I totally agree Duane. She looks fabulous, and sounds better than ever. I hope she tours there as well. I can’t wait for the DVD.
Definitely extensions,but so beautiful.Loved her in La Luna,too skinny in Harem.Looks very pretty now but i preferred the long,spiral,messy look.She is , however , the most talented artist ever.
I really didn’t know anything about her until I heard the song “Pasion” on tv. I loved it! After that I started doing some research on her. Now I’m in love with her. I bought the Symphony album 2 months ago and love it. She’s so beautiful!!! And her voice is awesome. I hope I can go see her in concert when she comes to Chicago on Dec. 4.
I’m 15 year old boy in love with Sarah Brightman!
I loved sarah since i was 6 , and i will alaways love her, end of story
Great write up on Sarah, I think she’s one of a kind, you don’t even really know where or how to categorize her, that’s what’s so great, she’s universal, and what a voice. I saw her doing Phantom of the Opera back in the day and she theater shook when she sang.
Hi Carl – do you know anyway to get Sarah Brightman’s special PBS version of the DVD Symphony Live in Vienna? It doesn’t appear to be for sale at her official website. Thanks.
Question: Is Chris Thompson and Sarah singing their song from the “Phantom..” on this DVD? It’s not listed
Sarah Brightman is wonderful. I love her, and the Symphony album is fantastic.
My favorite is still La Luna and perhaps Eden, followed by Classics, but this album is truly a masterpiece!
I saw the Symphony tour in New York back in 2008, she was beyond fabulous.