Search - Fantasia Barrino :: I Believe / Chain of Fools / Summertime

Carol S. from PARADISE, CA
Reviewed on 2/21/2007...

Three of her very best songs. Love it!

Kelly H. from MECHANICSVLLE, VA
Reviewed on 1/3/2007...

I can't help it, I just like her!

Three solid singles from the "American Idol 3" winner

Lawrance M. Bernabo | The Zenith City, Duluth, Minnesota | 07/08/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It is too early to tell if Fantasia Barrino will be the most successful American Idol winner to date, but at least this CD-Single gets the 19-year-old singer off to a good start. In addition to the official "American Idol 3" single "I Believe" Fantasia sings both "Chain of Fools" and "Summertime." All three of these songs are ones that she did on the show, so the first plus here is that we get the entire version of the latter two songs and not the mini-versions contestants are forced to sing. Plus, you have the advantage one being an Aretha Franklin standard and the other a classic written by George Gershwin.My only complain with "I Believe" is the same I had with the first "American Idol" CD-Single for Kelly Clarkson, which is that I actually prefer the emotional touch of the official song sung on the show to the polished studio version. That is the memory I have of watching "American Idol" the last week of season three. The woman feeds off of her audience and dollars to donuts she will always come across better live than in the studio. On "Chain of Fools" big props to the producer, who comes up with a funkier beat for the classic, which makes it easier for Fantasia to provide her own take on the song (note how she powers through on the final note of the bridge). "Summertime" is one of the great American songs of all-time and the contrast between Fantasia's vocals versus the string section and the rest of the jazz bits is nice, although I would probably strip down the instrumentation even more to focus on the voice even more. So you have one gospel, one R&B, and one jazz song for this debut solo effort, which reinforces the range of what Fantasia is going to be able to do in the future. Plus by having three tracks instead of two this is the best "American Idol" CD-Single to date. Final Note: Just be sure that you pick up this CD-Single and not the one with "I Believe" and "Dreams," because this is clearly the one that you want."

Fantasia, American Idol

Lawrance M. Bernabo | 06/27/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"First let me say I have read these one star reviews, and have come to the conclusion that they are all written by committee. How many times can one say squeaky, or Donald Duck? Puhleez haters try a little originality, or just say what you really mean. "I am scared that Fantasia may obscure the celebrity of ........" and then fill in the blank of your favorite loser! The show is over, idol found, and this year it's Fantasia. Her cd is amazing. Yes, I Believe is a bit trite, but Ms. Fantasia revs it up, kicks it up a notch and delivers a tour de force performance. Chain of Fools will make the Queen of Soul take notice, Summertime is Fantasia's calling card, and she can't be denied! So all you one star people, you might as well get use to it, cause Fantasia is the best thing to come out of North Carolina since........ Michael Jordan! Sadly, I think you know it, and that is why you are here en masse!"