Got my CD

[alena]

My CD arrived today! :applaud: I didn't have time to listen to it tonight, but I did put it on my iPod and can listen io it tomorrow. Who else has gotten theirs?

[richnorri]

Hello Alena!

I bought my CD in HMV on Monday, but so far I've only had time to listen to it once. It's a totally brilliant album, full of amazing harmonies, but I'm going to listen to it again before I post my more detailed thoughts.

Best Wishes,

Richard

[Belinda.]

Hi Everyone,

Richard

Once, My Copy arrived in the middle of the chat at HWW Saturday 18th Nov.
Kindly sent to me by a kind soul :applaud:

I've played it over and over,some at the moment i can't listen to it as its a bit heavy and a little depressing.so i skip them.
I'm sure they are great so will give them a chance at a later date,
I've listened to Angels a thousand times as i can relate to some of the lyrics or my interpretation of them.
I also like The Windows of My Mind..
who left it open
Songbirds and the flower Duet i already knew i liked as have heard them before .
Now for my opinion about Pokarekare Ana,
Sorry girls i don't like it,where is the feeling.
Hayley Rules with that one. ;D
I quite like Hosanna
Ave verum Corpus and Barcarolle,but would have to be totally relaxed and happy to listen to them.

A great album over all and i'm sure it will get a lot of playing and some will join, Hayley Roger,Queen,Rod Stewart and Various artists on my MP3 player.

Belinda NZ

[Natasha]

Ok, so in writing my review I tried not to be too gushing and "oh their amazing" lol, like I usually am! But I do have to say that I absolutely love the disc, and I have to give a million thanks to Uncle Roger for sending it to me!

My general criticism of the album is that on most of the classical tracks, the volume of the girls is not loud enough – or the orchestra is too loud. In the future I would also like to see them sing more crossover material – although with no beats please! That’s one of the things that is so special about them to me and their album, so in that aspect I hope the girls never change! But enough of that, here goes my review!

Songbird: This piece stars out simply with only a piano for accompaniment, and then for the most part consists of solo bits and harmonies between Daisy and Laura, although the chorus features all four voices. At first I didn’t like the idea of not involving all of the girls, but listening to it again and again as I have, I know the decision was perfect. The song showcases simplicity to its finest, and is just plain beautiful.

I have never heard the Eva Cassidy version of the song, and honestly from what I’ve heard from her, I have not been very impressed. And I cannot imagine her ever being able to compare with All Angel’s version, which is truly angelic! It’s definitely my favorite song on the album! ;D

The Flower Duet: The first time I remember hearing this song it was sung by Charlotte Church, and then my teacher suggested that my sister and I sing it, so I had to learn the darn thing! Lol. No it’s quite beautiful, and the girls have done a fine job. But with this song begins a problem I hear almost continually throughout the rest of the album… the voices aren’t loud enough and the orchestra sounds overpowering! It’s beautiful but the girls are the main attraction here and I would prefer to be able to hear more of them. On a brighter note, I love the additional “ah’s” they sang at the end of the piece!

Salva Regina: Another one of my favorites! I’ve loved this particular piece for a very long time, and so its so exciting to hear it sung, and what a beautiful version! The harmonies are just exquisite in it! I realize that I ended all 3 of my last sentences with exclamations, but the song is so beautiful and Melanie’s soaring top adds the final touch. Gorgeous.

Steal Away: Acapella – yay! There’s no better way to show off the girls voices and harmonies! Great song if maybe a tad long. They should definitely keep adding spirituals to their repertoire!

The Windmills of your mind: What a delight to hear this song sung so simply and beautifully, without any overpowering beats and backing voices! I love Becky Taylor, but to me this is how the song should be sung! The volume on the voices could be a little higher, but very good.

Barcarolle: The introduction is beautiful, and the instrumentalists all sound wonderful – but it is simply to long, its an easy enough fix for a live performance though. This song sounds great with 4 voices, because they can sing the “ah” parts as well, which is awesome. Again, lovely.

Silent Night: Beautiful. It reminds me a little of the version Hayley did with Aled Jones. Is that just because they said this group was inspired by the success of Hayley in particular? Lol.

Hosanna: Nice to hear this song with something other than “Ave Maria” sung to it. My only complaint? They don’t sing enough! If they could have sung a few more words we could have heard more of their lovely voices!

Ave Verum: Very pretty. Nice harmonies to, but for some reason it’s not a great favorite of mine.

Angels: Laura is awesome on this song! She certainly has the pipes! I know I’ve heard this song before somewhere, but again I can’t imagine the original artist doing a better job. I would have preferred to hear Laura’s voice in the chorus though. Maybe on the last verse the other girls could have joined her, but this really is Laura’s song and it seems odd to have her drop out in the chorus.

Ave Maria: Ok, my initial though is “Why in the world would someone record this song again?” Their version is lovely, but as my friend Alena has said, I have heard this song to many times to become excited about it. It would have to be majority different to get my attention. Sorry ‘bout that!

Pokarekare Ana: I had this song in my head the whole day! I love Hayley’s version of course, and to me it is the definitive version. (How could Kiri te Kanawa’s version even compare?) But in their own right All Angels have made this song absolutely gorgeous. The harmonies are again exquisite and it’s another one of my favorites. Brilliant.

Angus Dei: This song sounds to choral and you don’t get to hear the unique harmonies of the girls own voices. Its nice, if a little dissonant sounding, but not a great favorite of mine. I would have preferred to have the album end with “Pokarekare Ana” but I’m greedy enough to love any extra song I can get, lol. ;D

In conclusion I would like to say, that this is one of my favorite albums that I own. It’s gorgeous and I’ve already listened to it so many times! The girls have already improved so much, and I can’t wait to see and hear their careers take off, and whatever else they may chose to record in the future!

Hugs everyone - and Uncle especially!

Love,
Your Tashi

[fenn]

Thanks for the detailed review!
The CD seems to be great... and I hope I'll get mine very soon, too. I still have to wait but reading about it and watching some videos here makes waiting at least a bit easier.

[Mark]

Hi everyone

I got my copy a few days ago and have listened to it quite a few times. I won't review each song as those of you who have aleady posted have given a good description of each track. Overall, this album is growing on me - the more I listen, the more I seem to enjoy it. I particularly like the tracks sung Acappella like Steel Away and those backed just by Ian Tilley on piano, like Songbird. I agree with Tashi that some tracks could do with the voices being at higher volume, but then thats just me being picky ! I must also say that whilst I like this version of Pokarekara Ana, Hayley's version is still the one for me.

Having said all that, Its a great first album and very enjoyable to listen to. I am sure it will do well - well done girls !!

Best regards
Mark

[Joe]

HOORAY !! :applaud:

My All Angels CD arrived today!

I've only had the chance to listen to it on the computer. I'll want to hear it properly tomorrow.

I like the CD case itself...it looks like a mini DVD-case; with its rounded edges. I don't like the large shipping label that HMV affixed right on the case. It'll be a job peeling it off!

Oh, what a gorgeous collection of songs! I can't pick out a favorite just yet. Some points to mention...

I really like 'Hosanna'...the Cavalleria Rusticana's Intermezzo is one of my most loved melodies. I like this as compared to a few of the 'Sancta Maria' versions; perhaps slightly less though.

'Angels' is brilliant! Lovely harmony throughout. The Irish low whistle was a nice surprise towards the end.

'Windmills of Your Mind' I thought needed some more strength to it. I adored the strings running behind the vocals.

'Pokarekare Ana' I feel is a bit out of place. It's also quite weak compared to Hayley's version.

~

I wonder what songs will be on the USA version.

Cheers,
Joe

[meagan]

I got my cd on Monday, and I love it! It came at the perfect time, since I was sick, and it definitely made me feel better! Right now, it is my favorite cd that I own, and I can't wait to hear more from the girls!

[richnorri]

Hello Meagan!

I'm sorry to hear you've been poorly, and I hope you're feeling much better now. I'm sure All Angels' CD is the perfect tonic! ;D

Best Wishes from London,

Richard

[Caitlin]

Hi everyone! (and Meagan; I hope you're feeling better)

I've had a lot of time to listen to All Angel's CD. Did you know that it's exceptionally good exam-taking music? I've taken four exams now while listening to All Angels and have received a B or higher on each of them.

While I think this is an exceptional album as a whole I think that if some songs were to be heard on their own they wouldn't accurately showcase the girls and their abilities. One such song is Pokarekare Ana. I love the beginning, but as soon as "Pokarekare ana, nga wai o Waipu..." begins I think the feeling of the song is almost entirely lost.

Probably the best thing about this album are the seamless harmonies. They weave in and out of one another and the music effortlessly. They're breathtaking. As I write this I've got All Angels playing on our sound system and I can't get over the richness they posses in their voices.

"Songbird" is a great introduction to the girls and the CD. It contains the beautiful solo voices, but also the harmonies that the listener comes to look forward to hearing throughout the album. Their harmonies are so tight that even when the last note is held and the descending notes are only a step or half step apart it doesn't clash. That's not easy to do.

"The Flower Duet" has always been a favorite piece of mine and I have a hard time not comparing versions I've heard to others, but All Angels far surpasses any other version I've heard. Well done girls!

I was a little hesitant about "Salve Regina" mostly because I hear variations of Pachabel's Canon in D every day for two hours, but, like "The Flower Duet" it surpassed my opinions and hesitancies. It begins like any other Pachabel's Canon and I wondered if it would really be any different, but once the soaring voice (Laura?) comes in the song is given a unique element. This actually turned out to be one of my favorites on the album.

With an a cappella piece there is no hiding any flaws. However, there are no flaws to hide in "Steal Away" This spiritual is not overdone, and often not heard in four-part harmony. It's very well done and really showcases how seamless the harmonies really are. From the soaring high notes to the "pedal" notes everything blends together in a warm spiritual. Think about doing mroe spirituals in the future, or more songs with minimal backing: they really showcase the gorgeous voices you have.

I really looked forward to "The Windmills of Your Mind" after I heard a 30-second clip of it and since I had only heard one other version of the song before. Maybe that was the reason I've come to the conclusion I have, or maybe that's just how it is. I enjoyed the beginning of the song, the tempo was very nice, but when it didn't vary I began to get bored. The harmonies, once again, are very nicely showcased because of the minimal backing, which included the two other girls singing "ooh's" and "ahh's" (also very nice addition). Overall this piece didn't "do" it for me, it was just too repetitive.

Just recently I had been really introduced to "Barcarolle". I knew the piece before because of the other classical music CD's I own, but I never really paid attention to it. In general it's a nice piece, but not my favorite. I think the introduction is far too long and could have been done without on the CD. Also at points the music seems a little too strong for their voices.

"Silent Night" is a piece that nearly everyone who has recorded a holiday album has done, and I wasn't expecting much. But to listen and find that this piece begins as another a cappella and progresses into very minimal backing (and well placed after the instrument heavy "Barcarolle") is a sweet break for the ears. Their harmonies were gorgeous and this is one of the best versions I've heard of "Silent Night". What more needs to be said?

"Hosanna" was a bit of a surprise to me. I knew the tune and had heard a "Sancta Maria" version of this song and enjoyed it. All Angels' version is good, and different. At first I was dissapointed when the vocals didn't seem to come out on top of the music, but the more I listened I realized perhaps the vocals were meant to seem more instruments, than they were voices. So the next time I listened I sat back, closed my eyes and pretended I was listening to an instrumental piece of music and thought it very relaxing and even comforting.

"Ave Verum Corpus" was a completely new song to me, and I really enjoyed it! Since it was new to me, and still is compared to some of the other songs I had heard, all I can say is it was very nicely done. The music, the harmonies: everything complimented one another very well.

"Angels" is probably my favorite song on the album at the moment. To me, this song has the most feeling in it: It evokes many emotions. Once again the harmonies are gorgeous, and are really shown because of the minimal backing. They also add to the emotions in the song. And the flute (almost jazz flute) in the middle is an absolute, but wonderful!, surprise.

"Ave Maria" was mediocre. Well, the vocals were very nice. It's just that nearly every soprano does this song and there doesn't ever seem to be any variation in the versions so it tends to get old.

"Pokarekare Ana" has an excellent introduction. If the entire song could have been that way I would have cried because of the beauty. However, when "Pokarekare ana, nga wai o Waipu..." begins the song seems to lose the feeling it began with. It regains a little of it in the break of the piece, but loses it again once "e hine e hoki maira" begins. In general I wasn't very impressed with the piece.

I put on "Agnus Dei" and I thought I was listening to "Libera" for a moment. It's this piece that All Angels really do gain the angelic "choir" voices. At some points I wasn't sure who was singing: the choir or the girls, but for the most part it's clear. Without the choir and the etheral feel to this piece it wouldn't have been very special. This is one point when I think the distant vocals sound really good, and even though they're distant it clearly illustrates the capabilities of the girls.

I asked my friend to listen to their album and when I told her their ages all she could do was look at me and say "No way!" She finally managed to say that she thought they were much older and she wishes them the best of luck. "Not that they need it, they've got the voices of angels already" she added.

So, four angels have already taken flight and their soaring voices are lifting them to new heights, and, I have a feeling will continue to do so for quite some time.

<3 Caite

[Dave]

Hi Caite,

Thanks very much for your in depth review, it made me get out the CD and I'm playing it again as I write (after two days of playing The Beatles' new album!).

I agree with nearly all that you wrote except possibly for "Windmills", which I don't find boring at all.

I agree that there are a couple of tracks that are significantly weaker than the others (song choice rather than performance, I think) and I suspect that everyone involved with the album knows this too. However, by the time this became clear, and with only three weeks to record it in, there may have been insufficient time to do anything about it. This is what can happen if teenagers (even brilliant ones!) decide to make albums in their school holidays... right?

But the weaker tracks are certainly not unpleasant and for me, they do not detract at all from my enjoyment of the whole album.

Cheers, Dave

[Caitlin]

dave said:

I agree with nearly all that you wrote except possibly for "Windmills", which I don't find boring at all.

Hi Dave,

Maybe boring wasn't the right word. It's not boring, just repetitive. I know that's the nature of the song. I think I've got myself into a Catch 22!

You're right, the weaker tracks aren't unpleasant at all!
I sure know what it's like to do something like this in a short amount of time, and I give them a lot of credit for learning and recording an entire album in three weeks. It's not an easy task. :applaud:

Like I said, as a whole the album is exceptional. Well done Melane, Laura, Charlotte and Daisy.

<3 Caite

[1littlegirl]

Hello everyone!

Good reviews so far! I've just received my AA album today and have been listening to it. My overall opinion is that it is very very good. I think I will be able to work up some sort of review later. Right now my top songs are Angels, Silent Night, Salve Regina, Steal Away, and Pokarekare Ana.

[admin]

Thanks for a superbly informnative review, Caite. I really must get around to writing one myself someday!

I'm so pleased that your CD has arrived, Cathleen. To have five favourite songs is a good start. Only another eight to go!

Roger

[grant]

I don’t intend to do a review of this album; I’ll happily leave that to the likes of Tashi, Nicola and Caite (Hi girls!) who obviously know what they are talking about!

I can’t even tell you which are my favourite tracks, as with Hayley, I just love the sound of their voices, which makes every song special in its own way.

The greatest compliment I can pay to Daisy, Melanie, Laura and Charlotte is to say that their album is now one of 4 on my car CD player. All the others are Hayley!!

I would also add that theirs is the only non-Hayley album I’ve bought in quite a long time!!



Look forward to seeing you in concert soon.

Grant :exit: