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Post by ocelot on Jul 8, 2006 19:11:00 GMT -5
It took me awhile to get into "Seul", but now it's one probably my second favourite album by a male artist and "Garou" would be first. Songs on "Garou" still blow me away. The passion that he sings with is so amazing. These are the only two albums I have of his, but I'm going to find more.
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Post by achebeautiful on Jul 8, 2006 19:43:34 GMT -5
Just as an aside, the duet that he sings with Celine Dion "Sous le Vent" on "Seul" may be the most beautiful performance I have heard of Celine. Not a big fan of her, in this song she simply uses her beautiful voice with great effect and doesn't try to 'outsing' the song by overdoing it. Her gentle feminine voice sounds amazing with his raspy masculine vocals.
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Post by lapayin on Jul 8, 2006 22:54:07 GMT -5
I am a big fan of Laura Pausini. I have 8 of her CDs. As Leona mentioned "The Best Of Laura Pausini" is a great first Italian CD to purchase. Be careful, it's also out in Spanish. My favorite song from it is E Ritorno Da Te. My fav song from "From The Inside" is "It's Not Good-bye". Which by the way is a remake of her Italian hit "In Assenza Di Te". She also has two DVDs out which are great "Live 2001 2002 World Tour" from Milano and "Laura Pausini Live in Paris 05". Here is a strange note, while in Italy I purchased a couple of Laura's early CDs. They were imports? ?? And she wasn't in the Italian section she was in the International section? ? BTW they had two of Lara's Cds Lara Fabian English and AWL.
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Post by achebeautiful on Jul 8, 2006 22:59:15 GMT -5
Very interesting!
I'm going to have to get me some more Laura Pausini, and it sounds like "The Best Of" is the place to start!
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Post by ocelot on Aug 12, 2006 10:40:58 GMT -5
My Utmost for His Highest
This is an compilation album by a bunch of Christian artists inspired by the devotional "My Utmost for His Highest". The reason why I love this album so much is that it's a great spiritual journey. The songs are so deep and beautiful and the album as a whole come as close as any album I have listened to, to defining what God's about. I listened to the album over and over on my plane ride back from Ontario and by the time I stepped off the plane I was so grateful and blessed by God's love and grace.
I also love the booklet because with each song there's a line from the devotional that makes the songs so much more beautiful and powerful.
I've posted alot of lyrics from the album in the lyrics topic.
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Post by achebeautiful on Aug 12, 2006 18:00:37 GMT -5
I too have the album Leona, and fully agree with you that it is a great album for conveying who God is. The lyrics you have posted are awesome! Thank you for taking the time to post them.
I'm curious to know if you have the Christian compilation cds:
Coram Deo ~ "In The Presence Of God"
Coram Deo II ~ "People Of Praise"
City On A Hill ~ "Songs Of Worship And Praise"
City On A Hill ~ "Sing Alleluia"
I have found them to be good as well.
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Post by ocelot on Aug 29, 2006 20:52:38 GMT -5
I think I have the 2 "City on a Hill" album but I don't think I have the others.
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Post by ocelot on Aug 29, 2006 20:59:27 GMT -5
Melanie C ~ Beautiful Intentions
I recently got this album because I heard a couple of the tracks and loved them. She has come a long way since her Spice Girls days. I love how personal this album is. "Better Alone" is a great track and it is very clear that it's about her old record label but written in a way that it could be about a relationship (She was dropped by her old record label and decided to form her own record label called Red Girl records). Alot of the tracks are about finding satisfation in doing things for yourself and not letting the world (or other people) control you or make you feel bad. The album has a pop rock flavour to it but to me it's the lyrics that make the album.
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Post by ocelot on Sept 9, 2006 16:04:42 GMT -5
Brave ~ Nichole Nordeman
I bought this album about a month ago. At first, I really loved two songs ("Someday" and "What If") but couldn't quite get into the other songs. A few days I listened to the album again and I was completely moved by other songs on the album. I find that sometimes my faith gets sterile and basic and I went through that recently until I got a bunch of the songs on the album. The title track is a great song about stepping out of your comfort zone because God moves you to want to achieve better things. "Lay It Down" is a great track about laying it down before God. She also covers Bob Dylan's "Gotta Serve Somebody".
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Post by achebeautiful on Sept 9, 2006 16:58:20 GMT -5
Thank you very much Leona. From what you say about it, sounds like an album that I would like very much! I'll have to check it out!
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Post by achebeautiful on Nov 17, 2006 18:23:00 GMT -5
"Pieces Of A Dream" ~ Anastacia
After an incredible five years, Anastacia has decided to pause, take stock and look back on a time in her life she could never have imagined in her wildest dreams. From the unimaginable highs of multi-million selling records to the almost devastating lows of illness, Anastacia has seen it all since she released her debut album, 'Not That Kind', back in 2000. She has lived, loved, suffered and poured out her heart and soul on her three albums, but the time now seems right to start a new phase and discover what life has in store next. Before she moves on, she has decided to recap her unbelievable story so far in a stunning greatest hits collection, 'Pieces Of A Dream'. It is a story that has taken her round the world, given her the strength to overcome almost any obstacle thrown in her path and seen Anastacia emerge as one of pop's most respected performers.
Born in Chicago and raised in New York, Anastacia has been singing as long as she can remember and spent years performing wherever she could, wowing everyone who heard her with her spectacular, powerful vocals. After finally signing with Epic Records, she released her debut recording, 'Not That Kind', in 2000 and watched it explode throughout Europe, propelling her to immediate stardom. Her 2002 release, 'Freak Of Nature', only built on this growing phenomenon and, since then, Anastacia has sold an incredible 20 million albums worldwide, with 3 million of those in the UK alone. She has also scored an impressive 12 hit singles, three of them top ten smash hits, won countless international awards and completed a major UK tour. With her huge voice and infectious personality, fans fell in love with her because she was loud, brash and in your face, but also grounded, passionate and true - something that is always reflected in her music.
In January of 2003, Anastacia confirmed to the world that she had breast cancer and for a brief moment it all stopped. Typically, though, she indicated she would not let it stop her from doing what she loved. Prior to her surgery, in February 2003, Anastacia appeared on a closed set in New York, for the filming of 'Love Is A Crime' for the Chicago Soundtrack and ploughed through the 2-day taping, though the strains of illness were showing themselves to all around her. During the difficult months that followed, Anastacia cried, laughed, fought, sang and wrote with a passion she had never known before. She remained true to her words to her fans that "her resolve to fight was strong" and she emerged as the survivor everyone already suspected she was.
In September 2003, Anastacia entered the studio with Grammy-award winners Glen Ballard, Dallas Austin, and Dave Stewart and began what the singer referred to as a "difficult creative journey." Warned by her doctors that she would be physically drained from her treatment Anastacia stood prepared, as feisty as ever, to fight through whatever stood in her way. Reality check. "The experience was not pleasant," said Anastacia. "I usually look for the bright side of things, but so far nothing about making this record was positive for me. My doctor told me I'd be tired, not stupid," said Anastacia. "I could not focus on anything. I'd write a verse and then I couldn't write the chorus or I'd write the chorus but couldn't write the bridge. I couldn't talk, I couldn't think straight, I was totally out of it - the doctor's said I'd be tired - but of course I had insomnia. It was tough."
Yet, after nearly six months recording, Anastacia released a self-titled album that entirely reflected the reality of her life's experiences and the raw emotion that had accompanied every one of them. Affectionately dubbed 'sprock music' by Anastacia (soul, pop, rock), it showcased a fresh sound, a greatly matured songwriter and lyricist and more unforgettable vocal performances that have become Anastacia's signature.
"I wanted to move more towards a rock sound for this record and it really has added so much to this recording," said the singer. "The feel of the music, the beat, of many of the songs really has offset some of the subject matter of the lyrics."
From a straight-ahead rocker like 'Time' to the vocal passion and inventiveness of tracks such as 'Left Outside Alone' and 'Sick-n-Tired' to the stirring and poignant sincerity of 'Heavy On My Heart', Anastacia bared her soul and let her fans into her most personal thoughts. "I was aware of what I was writing, of what was flowing from my heart and I was aware that people listening might be reading into the subject matter of the songs," said Anastacia. "I challenged myself both lyrically and melodically to stay true to those feelings and at the same time to use them in a positive way. You see, I need to see life through rose coloured glasses and while that view might have been clouded at times while writing some of these songs, I hoped that people would see that and feel that."
Her fans did not disappoint. 'Anastacia' went on to sell an amazing 1.2 million in the UK and was certified platinum, making it the sixth biggest selling album of 2004. It led to one of the singer's most busy and successful years yet, gaining a whole new set of fans along the way and proving that nothing was going to get in her way.
Now, after such a life-changing period, Anastacia is ready to start a whole new phase of her career. Her struggles to get a record deal, write a third album and overcome such horrific illness are behind her and she is ready to start a new adventure. To mark the change, she plans to release the ultimate greatest hits collection, 'Pieces Of A Dream'. As well as all twelve of the singer's hits, it includes four new and exclusive tracks including compelling forthcoming single, also called 'Pieces Of A Dream', 'In Your Eyes', 'I Belong To You' with Italian singer Eros Ramazzotti and 'Everything Burns', a duet with Evanescence front man Ben Moody that featured on the recent soundtrack to blockbuster The Fantastic Four.
'Pieces Of A Dream' will also feature an exclusive ten minute mega mix of all Anastacia's hits, while the deluxe two CD version of the album will include thirteen full length remixes.
It is a fitting summary to an exceptional era in Anastacia's life and an indication that the world can still expect plenty more from the little lady with the big, big voice.
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Post by lapayin on Nov 18, 2006 10:11:21 GMT -5
Thanks for posting this article Mark. Anastacia is one of my favorite singers. She wrote "Heavy On My Heart" about her experience with breast cancer and all proceeds go to the breast cancer research foundation. Here are the lyrics:
I try to fly away but it's impossible And every breath I take gives birth to deeper sighs And for a moment I am weak So it's hard for me to speak Even though we're underneath the same blue sky
If I could paint a picture of this melody It would be a violin without its strings And the canvas in my mind Sings the songs I left behind Like pretty flowers and a sunset
[CHORUS:] It's heavy on my heart I can't make it alone Heavy on my heart I can't find my way home Heavy on my heart So come and free me It's so heavy on my heart
I've had my share of pleasure And I've tasted pain I never thought that I would touch an angel's wings There's a journey in my eyes It's getting hard for me to hide Like the ocean at the sunrise
[CHORUS:] It's heavy on my heart I can't make it alone Heavy on my heart I can't find my way home Heavy on my heart So come and free me It's so heavy on my heart
Love, can you find me in the darkness, and love, Don't let me down There's a journey in my eyes It's getting hard for my to hide And I never thought I'd touch an angel's wings
Whooo... [Repeat chorus til end]
I highly recommend all her albums. "Pieces Of A Dream" is a greatest hits. But she has some wonderful songs in her other three albums such as "Secrets". I will post those lyrics in the "favorite lyric" area.
I have seen some of Ana's interviews, she is sincere, funny, refreshing and says she knows her limitations (she truly can not believe she has gotten so far in her singing career). She tells it like it is. Her fans are inspired by her and she by them.
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Post by lapayin on Nov 18, 2006 10:48:07 GMT -5
I just recieved Laura Pausini's new album Io Canto (Italian) Yo Canto (Spanish). I am now listening to it for the second time. The first time I heard it I immediately liked it. It usually take me a few times of listening before I like an album. There was no one song that stuck out in my mind as great, like "Aime" did. But it is the whole overall album that is very good.
It's a little different than Laura's other albums, not as upbeat. It reminds me of Lara switching sytles in Neuf. But there are a couple of upbeat songs in the beginning and three duets, one with Johnny Hallyday. In "Nei Giardini Che Nessuno Sa" Laura shows some power. Although I do not believe Laura has the voice for it she does a very respectful job.
I really like her duet with Tiziano Ferro "Non Me Lo So Spiegare"and I like the song "Anima Fragile". Laura sings with more feeling and emotion in this album.
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Post by ocelot on Jan 11, 2007 0:34:29 GMT -5
"This Child" By Susan Aglukark
Susan is an Inuit Singer-songwriter, though there is so much of that culture on this album the album deals with emotions that most of us can relate to and issues that are big around the world. In the song "Slipping Through the Cracks" there's the line:
"Spirit too disposable, recycled, and cutback From tradition to omission He's a grain of sand just slipping through the cracks"
This deals with the negative part of globalisation. The tradition and culture is lost and along with it most of the old spirit.
I love the drums on this album. The thing about this album is the beauty of the human race revealed. The album deals alot with the Inuit journey and her own journey but there is so much there to learn from.
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Post by ocelot on Sept 5, 2007 21:31:23 GMT -5
I have been listening to quite a bit Symphonic Metal recently and two of the best albums for me are :
"The Heart of Everything" by Within Temptation
This album has amazing lyrics and a great melodies. The lead singer has a great voicethat really powers through the deep emotions of this album. The best songs for me are: Frozen, Forgiven, The Cross, Our Solemn Hour, and All I Need.
"Century Child" by Nightwish
The center for this album is a child in the 21st century. It's a beautiful tragic album full of emotions. Tarja Turunen's operatic voice really brings the emotion through in a powerful way. My favourite songs are: Bless the child, Ever Dream, Ocean Soul, End of All Hope, Dead to the World, and Slaying the Dreamer.
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