Florence Foster Jenkins - The Glory (????) of the Human Voice
|
List Price: Our Price: $9.99 You Save: $0.99 (9%) Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours Buy Used: from $6.59 (click here) Category: Music CD See more new music releases 
|
|---|
Buy this Music CD at online store in your country
Canadian Music Store
Canadian Music Store
Free Music Notes for The Glory (????) of the Human Voice
Free Music Review: Emotions strange vaguely distoib me ...
Hit: 5 Stars
Gawd!!! I'd read about this most exquisitely bad record for years before I found it at a tag sale, but I really was not prepared for my first listen. Put it this way: The first time I ever played the notorious Detroit bowling alley lounge band King Uszniewicz & the Uszniewicztones, back in '89, San Francisco had its earthquake 90 minutes later. But the gods must have been off for the weekend the first time I played Mrs. Jenkins' record. How else did New York avoid a 13.0 earthquake?
Actually, at the community radio station in Connecticut where I used to DJ, I would use this album as an instrument of torture during listener pledge periods. You guys ain't pledgin'? Then I'm playin' Florence Foster Jenkins! That'll teach ya ...
Much has been made about Florence Foster Jenkins, the self-styled matron of the arts who got to Carnegie Hall -- and sold it out -- without (so it appears) ever having to practice. Or even having to sing, either. I mean, she gave screeching a good name. But as much (deserved) notoriety as Jenkins received from her lone contribution to the woild, no one says boo about Thomas C. Boins -- sorry, Burns; it's the Brooklyn in me. I mean, who WAS this guy?!? He was even worse -- I mean woise -- than Jenkins! How else to explain classical romantic selections sung like The Bowery Boys? It's as if the janitor got loose in the recording studio late one night. Boins is the guy connoissewers of bad music should really be fawning over. But Jenkins is on the cover. Guess he just didn't have as pretty a face ...
Free Music Review: Beautiful! Reaches new lows of badness
Hit: 5 Stars
One day, when I entered my second semester of theory at the University of Pennsylvania, our instructor was playing a CD. This was not out of character, for he always greeted our entrance with some sort of music to accompany our "settling in" conversations. However, this time, instead of people chattering, we were actually paying attention. Spellbound, we heard the absolutely marvelous vocal massacre that was being perpetrated, and reveled in its glorious awful highs and lows.
When I finally managed to buy the CD for myself and put it on a party I attended, the same thing happened, followed by a massive explosion of laughter.
I suppose the fact of the matter is that Ms. Jenkins' vocal abilities notwithstanding, her "artistry", such as it is, is truly awe-inspiring. The earnestness of her vocal ministrations, the maneuvers she would do hit the high notes (she would take a running leap to hit the high C) is one more example of people's devotion to music. For that alone, she is to be saluted...
Free Music Review: In case anyone fancies themselves as an opera singer.....
Hit: 5 Stars
All aspiring opera singers should hear this, if only as a warning: you might be laughed at uproariously without realising. Still, this is a delight for anyone eager for fresh air after suffering too many self-absorbed divas. I first heard Florence when one of my singing teachers in London brought in a vinyl copy of this album. My fellow students and I were falling out of our chairs, helpless with laughter, especially those sopranos wrestling with Adele's Laughing Song (I was a mezzo, still am, thank god!) It put us all in a much better mood. Imagine, this woman repeatedly sold out Carneagie Hall - must have been a fabulous show. This album is Really funny. Rock on, Flo.!Free Music Review: Brings Back Memories
Hit: 5 Stars
When I was in college, I worked for the college radio station as one of the hosts of the classical music show. I found the LP in the library (actually it was a 10 inch!) with the same picture on the cover. Written in huge letters in black marker were "THIS IS MURDER! AUDITION BEFORE PLAYING!" So naturally I listened, and I loved it. She sings with such great love for the music and enthusiasm that one can't help but enjoy it, even while noting the fact that she would have been the first one voted off American Idol! I even found it amusing that her accompanist was named Cosme McMoon (doesn't he sound like the first cousin of Dogpatch's Moonbeam McSwine?). I got away with playing The Queen of the Night's aria exactly once, but I also played it on the rare occasion I got to substitute on the morning show, where everything goes and no holds barred. FFJ, thank you for bringing back pleasant memories. I hope you're having fantastic concerts in Heaven along with Cosme. I'm glad this is available on CD!Free Music Review: The Power and the Gory
Hit: 4 Stars
Is this any different from legitimate opera singing? And what's the diference between opera and opry? I never could keep those things straight. More power to her, I say. I wish she was around today; she'd do duets with Andrea Bocelli, who, incidentally, has invented a new kind of pasta.