Renee Fleming is a world-class vocalist, but this CD of pop songs fails on several levels. Many of the songs are dull and boring, for example, “Endlessly” and “No One’s Gonna Love You.” Fleming doesn’t project any enthusiasm for these songs. The most listenable songs on this CD are “In Your Eyes,” “Stepping Stone,” and “Hallelujah.” But none of these songs come close to Renee Fleming’s performances on Verismo, for example. Listening to Renee Fleming on Dark Hope is like driving a Ferrari at 20 miles per hour. GRADE: C+
PLAY LIST:
1 Endlessly 3:59
2 No One’s Gonna Love You 3:41
3 Oxygen 4:15
4 Today 3:22
5 Intervention 4:19
6 With Twilight As My Guide 5:33
7 Mad World 3:53
8 In Your Eyes 5:01
9 Stepping Stone 3:26
10 Soul Meets Body 3:11
11 Hallelujah 7:39
I have noticed this with other singers singing out of their genre-even Broadway singers trying to do pop. It is very hard to infuse music out of your genre with the same depth and feeling. It’s as if they don’t believe in the music. Something like that.
When you’re one of the best vocalists on the planet, yet more people recognize Lady Gaga than Renee Fleming, a diva might be persuaded to record a CD of popular music, Patti. I’m not saying that’s what went down, but connecting to a bigger audience might have been the motivation for this effort.
True, Patti. Sometimes (not saying it’s the case here) you get the feeling the singer is ‘slumming’ and it shows. It’s much like a “real” author who thinks s/he can turn out a genre book but doesn’t really feel comfortable doing so.
I’m guessing Renee Fleming’s handlers came up with this project, Jeff. Renee Fleming doesn’t sound comfortable with any of the songs on this CD.
Rocker Linda Ronstadt was very successful doing standards on her WHAT’S NEW, LUSH LIFE and FOR SENTIMENTAL REASONS albums, which were subsequently collected into the 2 CD set ROUND MIDNIGHT. Really excellent renditions of standards, perhaps my favorite female performance of them, and I’m including Ella and Diana Krall when I say that, though it is hard to beat Ella, she doesn’t bring the sadness to the sad songs as well. Ronstadt is backed by Nelson Riddle on those albums, by the way.
Yes, I have those Linda Ronstadt CDs, Rick. Love Nelson Riddle’s orchestra, too. Ronstadt has a really feeling for those songs she sings. Renee Fleming’s attempt to sing pop songs is sterile.
Yes, Linda’s performance (which we saw live, with the Riddle Orchestra) was excellent.
I remember some TV performances of Linda Ronstadt with Nelson Riddle, Jeff. Great stuff!
Linda also has a great album with Emmy Lou Harris. The Western Wind–or something like that. The stuff with Nelson Riddle was magic.
I have all of Linda Ronstadt’s CD’s, Patti, including that album with Emmy Lou Harris. Great to listen to! You’re right, those Nelson Riddle albums were Top Shelf.
THE DANA OWENS ALBUM, by the woman who usually performs as Queen Latifah, is another example of doing a decent job. You have to care about the music, and meet it on its terms, or make it your own if your not willing to do it as it’s usually done. That said, these fizzles are usually buck-hustles and/or vanity projects.
I don’t know this to be the case, Todd, but I suspect if I had one of the best voices on the planet I’d want to reach a bigger audience than the dwindling audience for opera. Renee Fleming sounds great on this CD, but there seems to be something missing. Yes, I’ve enjoyed Queen Latifah (aka, Dana Owens) who is an underrated singer.