Apollo

[robingoh]

It's raining something fierce outside. A wonderful time for sleep, and yet I'm up, putting music into my new 120GB iPod, which I have named Apollo after the beautiful Greek God of music. At last count, 4922 songs in 416 albums with 749 artists from 28 genres( mostly jazz, classical and opera). That gives me 15.3 days' worth of music and only took

Comments

[anonymous]

Hi!
I'm a fan of Leontyne too. But which album is the song you're hearing from?

pete

[robingoh]

First I must admit a mistake I made. I put down "It's Good To Have You Here Again", when it's actually "It's Good To Have You NEAR Again." It's from the only( I believe) crossover album she ever made, an album of Broadway tunes called "Right As The Rain." The song is one of two composed by Andre Previn, who also accompanies her. It's a lovely song and she sings it beautifully. I was listening to the album today, and it really is one of the best crossover albums by an opera singer I have ever heard. Of course I am quite biased, but she really sings these songs with the right, light touch, and while her phrasing is not as elastic as the jazz singers, it sounds natural and musical. If you wanted to learn one of these songs as they were written, she would be the one to listen to, even more than Ella on her songbooks. Sorry for rambling, but you asked. Are you sorry now? :P

[anonymous]

Thanks for the reply. Well, i can forgive you for being bias. I love her version of the Four last songs, and it was panned by critics. Will hunt for this album! I wonder if you have heard of Eileen Farrell singing Jazz and her version of 'the lady sings the blues' from her Alec Wilder album. Gives Billie a run for her money. Then listen to her Verdi album esp the Cabaletta to Tacea la notte placida. Are you sorry you replied?:-)

[robingoh]

I doubt if you can find it. It's out of print. :P I've heard Farrell and while she's much better than most opera singers in this kind of material, she does not give Billie a run for her money! No one can! Can you tell I'm a Billie fan too? But Farrell does have an amazing voice. And of course I'm not sorry I replied. Not many can hold their end in a conversation like this.