Title : Dream a Dream
Author : Hale, Simon
Release Date : 20001017
Binding : Audio CD
Regular Price : $18.98
Amazon.com Price : $8.88
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Editorial Reviews : Everybody's favorite precocious sprite of a soprano comes out with her third album in Dream a Dream. It's only been two years since Charlotte Church's smash debut, Voice of an Angel, but that's a big chunk of the Welsh singer's life span so far. This latest is basically a Christmas album, so full of festive cheer you'd never guess it was recorded in the summer. Even the glummest of moods will disappear when you hear Charlotte's infectious take on chestnuts such as 'Winter Wonderland' and 'Little Drummer Boy' (and having the London Symphony Orchestra as your backup band doesn't hurt either). And on top of that is a really special treat: the title song (borrowing an unforgettable classical melody) which blends Church's soaring vocals with the tender voice of young country prodigy Billy Gilman.
Buyer Reviews : This is one of two Christmas records (George Winston's 'December' being the other one) that I enjoy listening to even in July.
Charlotte Church brings out the classical sound in many of the familiar favorites, such as 'O Come, All Ye Faithful', 'Hark! the Herald Angels Sing', 'Joy to the World'.
Her 'Ave Maria' is especially affecting for sheer spiritual feeling in her rendition. 'Stille Nach, heilige Nacht' also has a spiritual quality, its being sung in the original german emphasizing a deep, heavenly beauty which the familiar English fail to convey as well. And again, 'Cantique de Noel' is given the sacred treatment it deserves.
There are ageless favorites here that lend themselves well to Charlotte's voice, and to the choral arrangements such as 'Ding Dong! Merrily on High', 'Coventry Carol', 'What Child Is This' (Greensleeves), 'God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen' and 'Gabriel's Message'.
I did consider the title duet, 'Dream A Dream', rather unfortunate...Her voice and Billy Gilman's do not blend well. Also, those who are Classical Purists, self-appointed experts, and such won't be happy with this album as a whole. But for those of us who maybe don't have 'well-trained ears', but know what sounds good to us, this is a natural for our collections.
