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"Maori Songs"
Opera fans are bound to be disappointed,
but almost everyone else will find something to like in this
easy-listening, simple, direct, sometimes tuneful and treacly,
sometimes rhythmically strong music, performed here by Dame Kanawa
and an assortment of other singers and players. Dame Kiri is
part Maori, and this music returns to Kiri's roots: Lovely melodies
abound, some interesting accompaniments are to be found, and
a glimpse into a world we rarely get to see is most welcome.
But classical music aficionados will walk away a bit hungry--this
is world music, this is folk music, but this is not operatic
in any way. Kiri Te Kanawa uses an easy-flowing, "pop"
sound and is closely miked; at times it barely sounds like her
at all. But for what it is, it certainly pleases, and fans of
this soprano will be interested in hearing this side of her.
--Robert Levine |
Customer review from Amazon
Reviewer: A music fan from Kaneohe, Hawaii
I've lived in Hawaii my entire life, so Polynesian music has
a special effect on me--it stirs my "island spirit"
(though I myself do not have Polynesian blood). I am also an
opera singer (I hope)! When I first heard this CD, and and the
first singer began, I thought, "Hey, where's Dame Kiri?
" As you may have guessed, it was she who was singing! The
stunningly beautiful soprano isn't singing in the manner of her
great Mozart or Strauss performances, but still keeps her musicality
and love of singing. Some of the electronic instrumentation may
seem overwhelming, but it doesn't serve as the backbone of this
album; what does is the singing of Te Kanawa and the highly talented
Maori choir (hold onto your hats when they burst into good old
fashioned Maori "shout-singing"! YEE-HA! ). I even
liked the packaging. Maori spirit was definately soaring during
the creation of "Kiri: Maori Songs." There's a good
mixture of slow songs, fast songs, and slow-fast or fast-slow
songs. Linear notes are nicely informational. I really love this
album! I'm sure it will leave you feeling good, too! |
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