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Brian Asawa - The Dark Is My Delight And Other 16th Century Lute Songs / Tayler
Brian Asawa, David Tayler
Brian Asawa - The Dark Is My Delight And Other 16th Century Lute Songs / Tayler
Genres: Special Interest, Pop, Classical
 
  •  Track Listings (23) - Disc #1

As one of the leaders of an exciting new generation of countertenors, Brian Asawa benefits not only from his distinctive voice, but also from his record label's publicity machine, which has made his name and his first two ...  more »

     
   
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CD Details

All Artists: Brian Asawa, David Tayler
Title: Brian Asawa - The Dark Is My Delight And Other 16th Century Lute Songs / Tayler
Members Wishing: 0
Total Copies: 1
Label: RCA
Release Date: 10/14/1997
Genres: Special Interest, Pop, Classical
Styles: Vocal Pop, Opera & Classical Vocal
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaCD Credits: 1
UPC: 090266881826

Synopsis

Amazon.com
As one of the leaders of an exciting new generation of countertenors, Brian Asawa benefits not only from his distinctive voice, but also from his record label's publicity machine, which has made his name and his first two recordings strongly recognized by critics and listeners. Asawa's success at the Metropolitan Opera Auditions in 1991 and his many opera performances in the United States and abroad certainly haven't hurt his career. The voice we hear is unquestionably pretty and technically refined, but its throaty, dark timbre sounds more like the efforts of a man trying to sound like a woman. He just doesn't have that uniquely male countertenor quality exemplified by three of Asawa's more engaging colleagues--Andreas Scholl, David Daniels, and Daniel Taylor. That's not to say that these performances of some of the 16th century's loveliest songs are not eminently listenable and occasionally sublime. Asawa's agile voice projects a strong character coupled with an effortless delivery that will appeal to many listeners. He has an annoying habit, however, of singing slightly behind the beat and gradually leaning into longer-held notes. --David Vernier

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CD Reviews

HEAVEN!!!
Merrilea | 09/30/1998
(5 out of 5 stars)

"When you start the CD and sit back you will literally think you have died and gone to heaven! Brian Asawa is heaven on Earth!If you have not heard anything from Brian, you are in for an extraordinary treat. Brian's voice is an incredible gift that every person should be exposed to. "The Dark is My Delight" is a wonderful display of Brian's range and vocal gifts. A collection of mostly 14th Century lute songs, it is a perfect subject for Brian's unique voice. "Come Again, Sweet Love" is a perfect opening song as it gives you his full range and style. In the beginning you cannot believe that this sweet, melodious voice can be coming from a human, muchless a male. You'll be thinking that throughout this wonderful CD.There are few CDs that are so extraordinary but then again this is Brian's first CD. EVERYONE should listen and expose themselves to Brian Asawa's talents. He can only be looked upon as a rising countertenor star soon to be at the same level as the "great tenors!" I am not exaggerating. FIVE STARS and TWO THUMBS UP!!! There is nothing more I can say!"
Pretty voice sings pretty songs, but it's pretty mediocre...
Miz Ellen | 07/04/1999
(2 out of 5 stars)

"This album of 16th century songs was VERY highly recommended to me by a store clerk at my local music retailer. I did not preview the album before buying it, but was intrigued by the seeming popular nature of the albums production and promotion. As a 20th centuruy composer and performer, I have dealt extensively with the human voice, in all it's many guises and forms. Asawa's voice has a sweet and fairly clean alto character, but the desired strenth and passion of the counter tenor labeling is obviously lacking. I do not doubt that future albums, perhaps featuring a more complex instrumentation and format will show that Mr. Asawa's voice can be something more than a young alto with an overindulgent rubato complex. The album is not the worst I have heard utilizing "non-traditional" male voices, but the clarity of line and sensitivity needed to convey emotion in these songs is something that perhaps is better left to a more tenured voice. I am ooking forward to seeing what the future brings us from Mr. Asawa, but I do hope he will be braver with the timbres and colors in his voice. It is truly a shame not to let the emotive quality of the counter tenor voice lead the way over "technical" purity."
Too Rushed, Low on Feeling
Merrilea | Toronto | 03/03/2006
(2 out of 5 stars)

"I've really tried to like Brian Osawa but when I hear this CD, it sounds to me like he's faking his way through the songs, though I doubt he in fact is. It's passionless.Thankfully I bought this CD used for only $9.99 CDN. Regretably, I will likely be selling it back to the used CD store from which it came. Daniel Taylor and James Bowman's Love Bade me Welcome would be a much better selection, i bought it new and its worth every cent!"