Passing Through

Editorial Reviews
free-lance writer "beverly wilkinson"
Carnelian's prolific songwriting abilities shine through in this new endeavor.

free-lance writer "beverly wilkinson"
... it is apparent that Carnelian is not just "passing through", but has much to offer the world.

Album Description
Emotionally charged music for the soul

Passing Through

Tracks:

Another Pyramid - Sting
Written In The Stars - Elton John/LeAnn Rimes
Easy As Life - Tina Turner ft. Angelique Kidjo
My Strongest Suit - Spice Girls
I Know TheTruth - Elton John/Janet Jackson
Not Me - Boyz II Men
Amneris' Letter - Shania Twain
A Step Too Far - Elton John/Heather Headley/Sherie Scott
Like Father Like Son - Lenny Kravitz
Elaborate Lives - Heather Headley
How I Know you - James Taylor
The Messenger - Elton John/Lulu
The Gods Love Nubia - Kelly Price
Enchantment Passing Through - Dru Hill
Orchestral Finale - Elton John

Amazon.com

Following hot on the heels of their enormously successful collaboration for The Lion King, Elton John and Tim Rice have once again culled their talents to create another Disney contemporary musical, based this time on Verdi's opera Aida. The album, recorded by some of the biggest talents of pop, country, and R&B, features songs from the stage show, which recounts the well-known tale of a love triangle further complicated by slavery, royalty, and the armed forces. John duets to great effect with country crooner LeAnn Rimes, the enchanting Janet Jackson, and the lovely Lulu of To Sir with Love fame. Lush and lively, the soundtrack hits a hoot of a (decidedly not highbrow) high point with the infectious pop of the Spice Girls warbling the merits of undergarments on "My Strongest Suit" ("Always wear underwear/Anytime, anywhere"). Lenny Kravitz funks things up with "Like Father Like Son." Shania Twain's husky emoting makes a fine pop ballad of the brief "Amneris' Letter." "Not Me" chronicles the goodness of love as Boyz II Men coo dreamily, their harmonies nestling into John's sumptuous score. --Paige La Grone

Customer Reviews:

I would order from you again........2007-01-27

Product arrived in a timely manner in new condition, still wrapped in plastic. Thank you.

Loved it!!!.......2006-09-07

I'm so impressed with this album for several different reasons.
3) It's Elton John
2) I loved all but two of the songs!
1) I usually hate the original broadway cast albums and movie soundtracks. They don't do the songs justice. They usually have chopped up versions of the songs and include unnecessary dialouge.

I'd love to see every musical (broadway or movie) done this way!
I appreciate the b'way versions, but I don't want to listen to them in my car...

good variety and feeling.......2004-06-24

This is a very good CD. "Written in the Stars" is an extremely emotional song, and it is my favorite on the album. I would like to see the show on Broadway, but I have to say I don't think it can be too much better than this CD

Sour Concepts.......2003-06-29

It takes so much to try to get a musical to make its way upon Broadway. Sometimes you really need to understand how to make it really happen within the passion of the storytelling music. In that case with Elton John, he nearly seemed to make it with Aida. While the music for Broadway always seems to have at least something completely mgaical and a dash of power in it. Sometimes, you really need to understand it, to make it happen, and others don't see it from the start. Although Elton John has had great music for years, at least once in a era, something goes a little flat.

The 1999 Aida, was not a studio album from Elton, but a preview from what was happen on Broadway. The various artists record contains so many different artists in the record including Tina Turner, Boyz II Men, Dru Hill, and the upcoming Heather Headley. Before Heather made it as a singer, she made it right here in Aida, on this record. The only decent song that was a hit was Written In The Stars, which Elton performed with Leann Rimes. The song was also the last song Elton cracked Billboard's Top 40. Still, there really wasn't a lot of enjoyment within most of the record, and it fell into a sleeper. Considering that Elton is already planning on making another smash musical on Broadway, hopefully he'll do better with the concept record.

When it does come to making it on Broadway, it isn't really anything exciting, unless it truly is a smash, and Aida is a smash on Broadway, just not the record. Still, if you're a die hard fan of Aida, buy this record. Otherwise, it could be a hitless miss.

Living Elaborate Lives..........2002-11-02

Aida was Elton John and Tim Rice's baby, providing a concept soundtrack album before even setting the stage on fire, the tracks are generally sweeping show ballads.
Elton teams up with several lovely and talented ladies, in LeAnn Rimes, Janet Jackson, and Lulu. "Written In The Stars" could be a vocal gladiator battle, the way LeAnn and Elton sing it. Janet and Lulu prove themselves as more mellow duet partners.
Kelly Price makes "The Gods Love Nubia" her own, the song is tied up in soul with her voice being smooth as silk. The far too short "Amneris' Letter" shows off Shania Twain's voice to perfection also. Pop culture phenomenon the Spice Girls turn "My Strongest Suit" into the most obvious pop stomper of this set. Another strong point is Heather Headley's solo "Elaborate Lives". A rich ballad, Headley recently embarked on an R&B singing career with the track "He Is". The legendary Tina Turner provides a fiery perfomance, her track being the powerful "Easy As Life" with Angelique Kidjo.
Duds are also present, Sting and Dru Hill's tracks are admitted stinkers. James Taylor, Boyz II Men, Sherie Scott, and Lenny Kravitz also deliver perfomances on the album. This album is well put together, with strong tunes and a short-list of superstars presenting them. A fun buy.

Average customer rating:

My First CD of Randy's
Duh! He never left!
Passing Through
He's Back!!!
Worth EVERY penny!

Passing Through
Randy Travis
Manufacturer: Word Entertainment
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Contemporary Country | Country | Styles | Music

New Traditionalist | Contemporary Country | Country | Styles | Music

General | Country | Styles | Music

Country Gospel | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music

General | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music

Gospel | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music

Christian Contemporary Music | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music

Country | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music

All Blowout Music | Blowout Music | Stores | Music

More Titles at Least 25% Off | Blowout Music | Stores | Music

Trueists | Warner Brothers Records | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Glory Train
Rise and Shine
Worship & Faith
The Very Best of Randy Travis
Inspirational Journey

ASIN: B000654Z64
Release Date: 2004-11-09

Tracks:

Pick Up The Oars And Row
Four Walls
That Was Us
Angels
Running Blind
My Daddy Never Was
A Place To Hang My Hat
Right On Time
My Poor Old Heart
I'm Your Man
Train Long Gone
I Can See It In Your Eyes

Album Description

The November 9 release of Passing Through is poised to expand on Randy Travis' recent success with his new country album. Produced again by friend and long-time collaborator Kyle Lehning. Passing Through is a superbly produced collection of country songs that reflect Travis' faith...not to mention his unmistakable voice!

Customer Reviews:

My First CD of Randy's.......2007-04-11

What a voice, Always knew that he had a unique voice. He's in a class of his own, with nobody even close. This cd is great not a song on it that I don't like. Especially like the track "That was us". Randy sings music that is closer to real country than most of the artist's out there today with little that would be considered "crossover". I plan on purchasing lots more of his work.

Duh! He never left!.......2006-06-22

I give Randy lots of credit, fighting a stupid record label because they think that if he puts out a christian CD that sales will tank, well guess what 4 CD's later, I hope he puts out another one! And good riddance to the stupid record executives that tried to tell him otherwise.

Country music and christianity have deep roots. This CD is a return to music for Randy that isn't gospel, BUT this is a great CD.

The song Angels is probably going to end up being requested a lot on Mother's Day. It is a modern version that can replace Jimmy Deans "Mother IOU", since nowadays country music stations refuse to play classic old country.

There is not a single song on this CD that is bad, but don't buy this CD if you are looking for things along the lines of the CD's "Rise and Shine" "Inspirational Journey" "Glory Train" or "Worship and Faith" because this is classic Randy.

Passing Through.......2005-09-06

I really love the new Passing Through CD. The radio station here has been playing Angels alot There are several others songs on the CD that deserves the upmost attention.
GREAT CD!!!!!!!!!!
Kathy

He's Back!!!.......2005-06-30

I loved this new album! It is so signature Randy Travis with a Twist of Faith mixed in. Perfect balance of the two. Not really totally country or Gospel. Great lyrics, and melodies. This takes me back to the late 80's. I sure miss those times when country music was GREAT!

GO RANDY

Worth EVERY penny!.......2005-04-15

I absolutely love Randy Traivs. He is, without doubt, the finest voice today and one of the greatest artists of all time. Although I am a new fan, I eagerly awaited the arrival of this CD and was not dissapointed.

It's hard to start when reviewing this album. I will start off by saying that it is another special one, just like Rise and Shine and Worship and Faith. I must say Randy's last three albums on the "Word" label are his finest- both musically, vocally, and artistically. It seems that radio and television, however, are completely ignoring him- no doubt due to his professed faith in Jesus. Randy has truly shown a change in his life and sometimes I feel GAC, CMT, and many country radio stations are purposely NOT playing his videos and songs (when the Raise Him Up video was released, GAC gave it very little air time compared to new ones from other popular artists at the time. Country radio has also refused to play his single "Four Walls", even when I and others requested it.) They are missing a true gem.

Randy's music is set apart first by his vocal capabilities. His voice is now more emotive than ever, touching the heart and sometimes bringing one to tears. He has reached the heights of musical expression, and some of these songs are quite haunting, like "My Daddy Never Was." This number portrays the plight of a drunk father who wants help with his addiction and cries that he only wants to be a good father. His wife leaves and finds another man at church, and all seems hopeless until the end. This song could never leave my mind for days. The emotion Randy puts into it makes the listener feel the pain and desparation of the man in the song.

"Four Walls" is another beautiful number, as well as "I'm Your Man" and "I Can See It In Your Eyes". These last two stand apart from other love songs of the day which, for some reason, find it necessary to include sex as a part of love. Randy never once mentions sex in the songs. Instead, he sings of true and deep love and companionship that will weather the storms of life. There are many infectious songs here as well, one of my favorites being "Train Long Gone." The backup singers here sound like a group of cowboys, showcasing Randy's pure traditional sound and style.

You will find this album to be a treasure and an enjoyment beyond words. I could never explain the entire thing. It must be heard. If there is any new album you buy, don't reach for the souped up, sorry voice of Tim McGraw or the stale releases from Alan Jackson. These songs will give you a lot to think about. This is country music as it should be.

Kitka

Average customer rating:

Loved this CD
I LOVE this CD!
Costello Partners with Hubris and Yields Variable Results
what's so funny about peace, love, and understanding?
No life in her (pop) art

For the Stars
Anne Sofie von Otter , and Elvis Costello
Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Singer-Songwriters | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Singer-Songwriters | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music

Classic | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music

Traditional Pop | Oldies | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Traditional Vocal Pop | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music

General | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music

Deutsche Grammophon: Music | Specialty Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Anne Sofie von Otter - Speak Low ~ Songs by Kurt Weill / Gardiner
North
The Juliet Letters
When I Was Cruel
Painted from Memory

ASIN: B00005A46I
Release Date: 2001-04-10

Tracks:

No Wonder
Baby Plays Around
Go Leave
Rope
Don't Talk (Put Your Head On My Shoulder)
Broken Bicycles / Junk
The Other Woman
Like An Angel Passing Through My Room
Green Song
April After All
You Still Believe In Me
I Want To Vanish
For No One
Shamed Into Love
Just A Curio
This House Is Empty Now
Take It With Me
For The Stars

Amazon.com

At a time when popular music has been micro-marketed to the far side of ad nauseam, Declan MacManus, a.k.a. Elvis Costello, has traded on his reputation as the brightest songwriter to emerge from the new wave era to foster any number of delightful, cross-genre/generation musical surprises, including soundtracks and collaborations with the Brodsky Quartet, Paul McCartney, jazz artist Roy Nathanson, and songwriting legend Burt Bacharach. The latest fruit of that generous, insatiably curious artistic spirit is this elegant partnership with Swedish mezzo-soprano Anne-Sofie von Otter. Though an admitted pop novice, Otter couldn't have picked a better confederate than Costello, an artist whose taste in songs has seldom been tainted by trend.

Together, they weave material from disparate sources--including a slate of compelling Costello material, a pair of Brian Wilson's evocative "Pet Sounds" confessionals, a Tom Waits song from Francis Ford Coppola's One from the Heart (oddly, though effectively, coupled in medley with McCartney's "Junk"), an Abba song, and the Beatles' "For No One"--into a musical tapestry of stately power and grace. Costello sparingly uses his voice as seasoning throughout, though his masterful touch is everywhere. Otter's novice pop singing reveals an easy knack for jazz phrasing that should tempt further explorations and a warmth that belies the rigidity that's so often a byproduct of classical training. Most gratifying of all, this album ultimately achieves what's become one of the loftiest plateaus in Pop music: common ground. --Jerry McCulley

Customer Reviews:

Loved this CD .......2006-06-13

Who would pair Costello and an opera singer?? Elvis, and somehow it works. I really love the tone and moodiness of it and lyrics that talk about love and life, failure and success. It's soulful, in a contemplative way, music for those tucked away, rainy days .

I LOVE this CD!.......2005-09-01

Finally, an opera singer who knows how to channel her Classical training into a sound that is, as one critic aptly described it, "what pop singers would sound like if they could actually sing"! Although Elvis Costello does not join Ms. von Otter very often in the vocals, when he does they harmonize beautifully. With great melodies (some beautiful, some catchy) and sensitive (but not sappy) lyrics, this album makes a fine addition to any CD collection.

Costello Partners with Hubris and Yields Variable Results.......2005-05-08

Having just heard Elvis Costello's masterful collaboration with Burt Bacharach, "Painted from Memory", for the first time this past month, I had high hopes for this equally unusual partnership with mezzo-soprano Anne Sofie von Otter released in 2001. This time, however, Costello acts as arranger and producer, and it is von Otter who is front and center on vocals. She is among the most revered of singers on the opera and recital stages, and she has impressed me in the past, in particular, with her Dejanira in the 2002 Marc Minkowski-led performance of Handel's "Hercules", among many other roles she has embodied. Here she is called upon to be a pop chanteuse, and while the beauty of her voice is inarguable in any setting, her ability to interpret the diverse lyrics in these songs is far more debatable. This is where a Marianne Faithfull, a Blossom Dearie or even a Joni Mitchell could capture more of the underlying feeling with a fraction of the vocal power von Otter can provide but with twice the nuance. There is a rather sterile sameness to the performances here, somewhat jazz-inflected in a cocktail lounge manner at times and at other times, rather morose and dirge-like.

Take, for example, her rendition of Brian Wilson's "Don't Ask (Put Your Head on My Shoulder)" from the legendary "Pet Sounds" album. It moves so glacially that it actually extricates the romantic subtext almost surgically. The same can be said for Jessie Mae Robinson's "The Other Woman", which has at least Magnus Persson's vibraphone to provide relief from the tedium. She's better on the other "Pet Sounds" classic, "You Still Believe in Me", where she cannily soars with the chorus, though Costello damages it by adding some odd, muffled rapping in the background. Ironically, it is on the Costello compositions where the recording most noticeably flails. The opener "No Wonder" starts as a "Greensleeves"-like madrigal and then turns into Beatlesque pop; "Baby Plays Around" seems to suffer from exhaustion by all parties; the two Fleshquartet collaborations, "Rope" and "Just a Curio", sound somewhat like extraterrestrial hymns done in a series of minor keys; and the closing title track, "For the Stars" includes peppy, Beach Boys-sounding harmonies which escape her grasp. In fact, "Just a Curio" would have been a more appropriate title for this entire recording.

On the other hand, the Gallic flavor of Benny Andersson's accordion effectively informs her rendition of Tom Waits' "Broken Bicycles", which melds perfectly with Costello's vocal on Paul McCartney's "Junk". Speaking of Andersson, a fellow Scandinavian, von Otter admirably covers a piano-led ABBA ballad, "Like an Angel Passing Through My Room". She also displays a meticulously casual bounce on Lennon-McCartney's "For No One", though it stops rather abruptly. Von Otter acquits herself surprisingly well on the jazzy "Shamed into Love", written by another unlikely duo, Costello and Rubén Blades, and performed as almost a smokier variation of Bacharach's "Alfie". And speaking of Bacharach, she does a nice turn on the lovely "This House Is Empty Now" from the 1998 Bacharach-Costello disc. Costello and von Otter are masters of their craft, but I think some of the collaborations reflect simply irreconcilable differences. While Costello seems to have an insatiable desire to expand musically, his hubris here appears to constrain the often preternatural vocal skill von Otter displays on the opera and recital stage. Consequently, what we have here is a nice album, a generous one with eighteen tracks, that doesn't seem to capitalize on either contributor's talent fully.

what's so funny about peace, love, and understanding?.......2004-04-22

Nothing's funny about this boring duo. I picked this up FREE at my library and it didn't take me too many tracks to see why it was donated. The musical arrangements are hapless and dull, and her voice is Dion without the Vegas power finale. Come to think of it, the lyrics remind me of Dion; they are as saccharine as anything Dion has ever sung. I wasted a blank CD on this limp, sleepy pairing of two otherwise good artists.

No life in her (pop) art.......2004-03-15

I am a big fan of both artists and wanted very much for this combination to work. It avoids the traditional trap of "oversinging" the pop material. But a few years after its release, in these American Idol era, is that really such a terror for pop music any more? So-called oversinging seems pretty popular these days!

The big problem is that von Otter has not found a way to communicate any emotion in this scaled-down form of singing. All her classical techniques are stripped away, and there's nothing to replace them. Sure, her voice is gorgeous, but it sounds exactly the same no matter what the lyrical content. The songs could have been made up of nonsense syllables for all the emotional life she communicates.