Hymn

I think Sarah Brightman has some good ideas, and I do like the choice of songs here and on the whole, I like the musical arrangements which as someone else has said are very big and glossy. But what I'm struggling with is the breathy quality of Sarah's voice these days. Her lower pop voice sounds good, and her voice, for me at least, is always sweet, but it's the higher notes, which have a strangely weak, distant, and thin, metallic quality, almost like they have been artificially created in a studio, although some songs sound better than others. That said, there are more positives here than negatives, hence the four stars. I enjoyed it.

Ms Brightman returns to our ears with another resounding success in HYMN, once again with her long collaborator, Frank Petersen.Full of her mix of classics sung in Italian and more modern tunes, she has one or two interesting guests on this album, including the Eric Whitacre Singers who help her on 'Fly To Paradise' and the Japanese musician, Yoshiki, whose piano playing on 'Miracle' is perfect.The HYMN Overture at the start is a nice opening to the title track, a song written by Barclay James Harvest's John Lees (I remember this from the 70's) and there is a lovely version of the song that I know as called 'You Are My Heart's Desire' sung in Italian. However, the best is saved to last. As if her duet with Signor Bocelli wasn't perfect enough, she records a new version with self-penned English lyrics of 'Time To Say Goodbye' which is even better.All very beautifully sung (naturally) by Sarah, with the London Symphony Orchestra, the Crouch End Festival Choir and the Spirit of David Choir (from Gardena, USA) providing brilliant backing.This is a bit of a triumph. Long may she continue.

Severe clipping on most tracks (worst on 4, 6, 8 10 and 13) with associated harsh artifacts which make these lovely songs unlistenable.This is the worst case of clipping I have ever encountered.I wonder if the DVD has the same faults.On top of that, track1 and 2 are supposed to be a single track.

A mix of classical pieces in the vein of her ‘Timeless’ album and classical crossover/pop tracks. She has spent a long time choosing these tracks and it shows. She doesn’t sing full out soprano much on this album but that may be a creative choice as she has a backing choir on a lot if tracks. Hymn, sky and sand and better is one day are uplifting songs, full of joy. Fly to paradise and Miracle wouldn’t sound out of place next to Fleur du mal on the Symphony album as they are powerful and moody pieces respectively. Follow me is also a standout track with a tropical flavour which is may be a bit ‘harem’ in feel. Overall a lovely collection which feels like a return to her traditional production style with her working with Frank Peterson again. If you like Sarah’s other albums I would recommend this.

This is a strong album. Sarah's voice is sounding better than it has in the last few albums and the song choice is good. Didn't like the overly religious songs but others like Sky and Sand and You are fantastic. Follow me doesn't really belong here, its more of a Harem sound. The great thing about Sarah's albums is that they are always different. I recommend.