The Voice - Encore

---

---

Editorial reviews

Amazon.co.uk Review
A year or so on from the release of his debut CD, Russell Watson is back with Encore, another mix of opera favourites and popular songs. In that time, Watson has become virtually a household name--he now sells out large concert venues, has made it in America, while The Voice continues to sell way beyond the million-mark. On Encore we find Puccini and Verdi sharing the billing with Lulu and Lionel Richie on 16 tracks which range from the much-loved Bach/Gounod "Ave Maria" to "Where My Heart Will Take Me", the theme for "Enterprise" (the latest Star Trek series). Indeed, The Voices might have been a more appropriate title than Encore as Watson explores opera, sacred works, film and television themes and pop songs. The orchestral arrangements on tracks such as "Va, pensiero" will not win him any fans from the opera contingency, but Watson reveals a captivating sound on pop ballads including "You Are So Beautiful" and "Lost in the Snow". If you enjoyed The Voice, you're certain to want an Encore. --Rebecca Agnew

---

Customer reviews

review by: date: 2008-07-09 rating:
Russell Watson, album number 2 (Encore)

Encore, released in 2002, is Russell Watson's follow up album to his hugely successful debut `The Voice' from the previous year. Encore repeated the success of that album by again winning both `Album of the Year' and `Best Selling Classical Album' at the Classical BRIT Awards 2002. Reaching the No.1 spot in both the UK and US Classical Charts, and a top 10 place in the UK Album Chart confirmed Watson's studio success could match that of his stage performances at that time.

As its title suggests, Encore is more of the same from Watson's broad repertoire of classical and popular music and should have equal appeal to fans of his previous album. The classics are all familiar favourites (and who can blame him?, for that's what people are paying money to see him perform) and the popular songs include some unexpected choices such as Lionel Richie's `The Magic of Love' and two songs by the prolific American songwriter Diane Warren, `Catch the Tears' (written for the album) and `Where my heart will take me' (TV's Star Trek : Enterprise).

In summary, an excellent follow up album which matches the quality of the debut.

---

review by: date: 2004-01-29 rating:
Not an opera singer
This is awful! Russell Watson is not an opera singer - he has NEVER appeared in an opera and hasn't the talent or voice to do so. He is the vocal equivalent of a tabloid newspaper: cheap, tacky and ultimately unfulfilling. Just plain AWFUL.

---

review by: date: 2003-08-29 rating:
Stick to what you're good at
This has to be one of the WORST things I've ever heard!! Russell Watson is no more a classical singer that Margaret Thatcher is a Formula 1 racing driver. His dynamics are abysmal, his Italian is even worse and he sings like a cat stuck in a chimney.

This is not what good classical music is about. Do yourself a favour and listen to anything else, it doesn't have to be made "popular" and mass produced to be any good. People are told that artists like Russell Watson and Charlotte Church are good classical musicians, but they are most definitely not.

On the rare occasions when he lets his true voice come through (and not try to be an opera star) he has a good rock voice. Stick to what you're good at.

---

review by: frannyannyg date: 2003-03-18 rating:
The man is unbelievable!
I have all three of Russell's albums, but this seems to be the one in my cd player the most. I am a huge fan. The best songs from this album are the playful Volare, Faith of the Heart (theme to Enterprise) Va, Pensiero and Che Gelida Manina (the lyrics are beautiful) So, even if you have never really liked classical/opera music there is a good chance that you may love this album. Russell's voice is simply breath-taking and he is the most amazing man. He really is "The People's Tenor" and he reaches out to everyone.


review by: date: 2003-02-08 rating:
If It Had Not Been For Russell Watson!
If it had not been for Russell Watson I would have never begun listening to classical music as I have since discovering "The Voice". His voice drew me in from the beginning and has made classical music even more attractive to me to the extent that I am now becoming really quite fond of opera. I also now enjoy listening to other classical artists as well but Russell's beautiful voice and creative style(s) have spoiled me I must say. "Encore" will definitely be remembered as one of his best recordings. "Che gelida manina" and E lucevan le stelle", performed with such fervor and depth, are truly breathtaking causing you to listen in total amazement. In my opinion these two songs could not be sung any better as with "La Mattinata". In his refreshing version of "Volare" with its rhythmical accompaniment, Watson revives a favorite of the past making it even more enjoyable than the original and in "Va, pensiero", where he sings a duet with himself allowing you to experience his powerful tenor voice together with his appealing pop voice, he further demonstrates his innovative creativeness. "The Prayer" with Lulu is one of the best, if not the best, recordings of this song I have heard to date and he gives very convincing performances in "Where My Heart Will Take Me" and "You Are So Beautiful", with him dedicating the latter to his two little girls. "Lost In The Snow" and "Catch The Tears" will become two of your favorites as Russell sings them with such warmth and feeling. They will definitely appeal to music lovers of every age. All in all the entire album is a pure delight with me welcoming each song and one I know I will be listening to quite often for years to come. Russell Watson is a natural as well as being a geniune one of a kind and to compare him with others is simply a waste of time. In my book he has it all with even more to be revealed up ahead and I for one am looking forward to what the future holds for this talented young performer from Manchester! "Encore" is worth every Star in a 5-Star rating and more!

---

Similar products

Various: Russell Walton - Reprise
Russell Watson: The Voice
Russell Watson /Amore Musica
That's Life
Outside In

---

Similar categories

Music . Styles . Easy Listening . Bestsellers
Music . Styles . Easy Listening . All Easy Listening
Music . Styles . Classical . General
Music . Styles . Classical . Opera & Vocal . Performers . Ensembles . Choirs . London Voices
Music . Styles . Classical . Opera & Vocal . Performers . Vocalists . Tenor . Watson, Russell
Music . Styles . Classical . Opera & Vocal . Song . Tenor
Music . Substores . Custom Stores . Decca Records
Music . Refinements . Format (binding_browse-bin) . CD . CD Album
Music . Refinements . Imports (location_browse-bin) . Imports

---