Nana Mouskouri has been an international great singer and a revolutioner for Greek singer. This album has recorded at her very best side. Although it's incomplete (songs from my favorite album, which showcases her great talent singing soundtracks of many great old time movies, are not here. Not even one), and a bit classical (as most songs aren't her pop great songs or her great religious songs, but are her classical pieces, e.g. "Habanera", "Fields of Love", etc.). For they who love wonderful classical songs sung by Nana's clear mezzo soprano voice, this is truly recommended. Well, not all songs are classical, but most are. Great pop and folk songs can also be found here. "Only Love" is one of the greatest songs here. The tune is terrific, but Nana's voice quite spoils the song as her voice suddenly grows very old, but still in a reasonable sound. Like "Only Love", some of the most wonderful songs are put in front of the recordings of the recordings. I'm not meaning to say that the songs in the middle or the end are bad, instead, I recommended these songs for they who wants to try classics but not ready yet for arias sung by well trained sopranos, but the songs in front somehow more show her great talent. "Try To Remember" and "Over And Over", which are old recordings, do. These two songs, which are my favorites, somehow showcases her (still) young voice which truly pleases me. Besides, these two songs shows her voice which (still) doesn't rely on vibrato.
The other songs are not less incredible. "Bridge Over Troubled Water" is sung so originally while "Quand On S'aime" (Duet with Michel Legrand) truly shows that Nana is not only a prime-voiced singer, but she can also sing a song which is not of her genre. "Habanera", which is usually sung with too-classical and ungroovy version (with the exception of Charlotte Church's version), is sung with a very wonderful version with terrific choir. "Oh Happy Day", a groovy gospel song is also put on with the wonderful Nana's voice singing together with the choir. "Ta Pedia Tou Pirea" is also one of my favorite. This song, which is a Greek song, is cheerful and this shows that Nana can already mesmerize her listener though she didn't put a very high note, which may cause painful effects. "Recuerdos De La Alhambra" is a humming song. This song is also sung by one of my favorite singer, Sarah Brightman, titled only "Alhambra". I still think Sarah's lyrical version is better. Nana's "Ave Maria" is spectacular. It's majestically sung and that's how I want it to be. It's much better sung by Nana than by Sarah Brightman, as Sarah's voice singing this song is abnormally weak.
As the conclusion, I'd like to recommend this album to everyone I know. I'm truly touched with Nana's fabulous voice and the wonderful songs, and beside, I'd like to classify this album as classical crossover, as this album fulfilled the criteria of crossover album, some pop songs and classical songs rearranged and sung by beautiful voice. This is great and this album captures her best. Believe me.
Nana Mouskouri at Her Very Best
2005-10-17
The versatility of Nana's voice, arguably the sweetest on the planet, is captured in this CD. One can only want to hear more!
