Thomas Otten JeanChristophe Lannoy Bruno Dupont - Portraits (11 tracks) +Album Reviews

I don't rate this cd because it doesn't deserve a rate

joaomsp | Portugal | 10/01/2003

(1 out of 5 stars)

"I awaited a long time for the release of the Thomas Otten second cd. The first cd is a wonderfull cd, it is a work like no one I have ever heard before.
This second work is a totally mess, a waist of time.
I wonder if it was written, composed and sung by the same people of the first one.
Don't buy it if you liked Close To Silence.
Don't buy it at all!"

"Otten's vocal style is mesmerizing, overwhelming & amazing"

J. Lovins | Missouri-USA | 05/27/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Higher Octave takes the reins as we journey through the catacombs of Opera, High/Mass Chants and blends of New Age thus we have "Portraits", featuring Thomas Otten who is so overwhelming that the hair on the back of your neck will stand on end. I'm a purist when it comes to some music and this certainly fits the bill ~ his amazing voice takes on another realm of music categories, that even the most educated individual in this field would be stymied.The entire album is priceless (all eleven tracks), his delivery is impeccable and right on the money. Looking forward to future projects from this one-of-kind artists ~ he hits every note without looking back ~ that is the sign of a well-trained singer/performer. Hats off to Higher Octave for releasing this album and to our favorite vocalist ~ THOMAS OTTEN!Total Time: 42:17 on 11 Tracks ~ Higher Octave 84077 ~ (5/20/2003)"

So-o-o-o-o Disappointed

Ellen Morgan | Ft. Lauderdale, FL USA | 08/14/2003

(1 out of 5 stars)

"After being brought to my knees,(literally) by Thomas Otten's first album, Close to Silence, I could barely wait until his next release. I found Portraits to be extremely disappointing. I felt much of his vocals on this release were forced and I kept getting the feeling throughout the CD that this was rushed to press. I don't feel this CD came from the same place/space as his first. Hopefully his future endeavors will be able to "capture" the message I clearly heard/felt in his first."

Joyful Album!!!!!!

joaomsp | 01/10/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I am so thrilled that Thomas Otten made Portraits as I find his voice mesmerizing. After reading some negative reviews I had my doubts about his new release and was unsure after sampling some of the songs on Amazon. Later I visited Thomas Otten's web site (The English site is still under development but the French site is ready and you don't have to speak French to download.) where I was able to download 80 sec clips of ALL of the songs on his new album. From that point on I was hooked and returned to Amazon to place my order. About "Portraits", no, it doesn't sound like "Close to Silence" and thank goodness. If it did he could have just made the previous album a 2 cd set and been done with it. I love the new feelings that this album evokes in me. I feel transported to some open fields perhaps in Spain on a warm sunny day. There were a couple of songs that did not strike a chord with me right away as they were unexpected styles, but just like new foods one has to sample them 3 times to either develop a taste for it or truly learn that you don't like it. After several plays I was able to appreciate these new forays and applaud Thomas for taking chances. Had I not taken a chance I would never have been able to grow musically. On top of this are some beautiful songs ("Voices", "Feel Low") that just send me straight to Heaven. There are NO guarantees in life, take a chance!!!"

An adventurous sophomore album..

Stephen Jackson | Texas, USA | 11/25/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"When Thomas Otten's "Closer to Silence" came out, many classical countertenors were either amused, horrified or grateful that someone was mixing a "dead" vocal style with contemporary sounds and studio production work. Otten's first album WAS quite intriguing, in a slick, heavily produced and multi layered way. It was almost as if the producers wanted to make an album so produced and "shiny" that the countertenor voice on the tracks was of secondary importance.

With "Portaits", Otten embraces a wider variety of styles with slightly less studio "shmaltz" behind it. His voice is more to the front in the mixing with less reverb and a more natural sound, which I for one enjoy hearing. If you are looking for a dance/trance new age album, this isn't necessarily going to satisfy you as much as "Closer to Silence". I will say that some of Otten's more dangerous vocal tendencies (extreme cover in the lower registration, depressed larynx, and diaphramatic vibrato) seem to be more prevalent here. I hope that he will continue to record and grow as a vocalist without damaging his voice by trying to "create" a heavier production to the sound as is occasionally heard here. The countertenor voice is slightly more fragile than other male voice fachs and thus needs extra care in maintaining clean technique with proper support and placement.

All in all, an interesting and enjoyable album though. Listen to the sound samples here and on Otten's web page to determine if this album is for you."

Search - Thomas Otten, Jean-Christophe Lannoy, Bruno Dupont :: Portraits

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