Released:
June 8, 2010
ABOUT:
Renée Fleming’s new album ‘Dark Hope’, which the opera star describes as a “visit to a new, parallel universe,” will be released by Decca this spring. The album was recorded in close collaboration with producer David Kahne (Regina Spektor, The Strokes, The Bangles, Sublime, and countless others) in New York City, and features a diverse and adventurous track listing of songs.
Song List:
Endlessly (Muse)
No One’s Gonna Love You (Band of Horses)
Oxygen (Willy Mason)
Today (Jefferson Airplane)
Intervention (Arcade Fire)
With Twilight As My Guide (The Mars Volta)
Mad World (Tears for Fears)
In Your Eyes (Peter Gabriel)
Stepping Stone (Duffy)
Soul Meets Body (Death Cab For Cutie)
Hallelujah (Leonard Cohen)
Fleming, the superstar soprano known as “the people’s diva,” says of ‘Dark Hope’: “I’ve always been inspired by artists who have shown musical and intellectual curiosity and the courage to take risks. Because everything about the voice interests me, I felt it would be fascinating to learn a completely different style of singing.”
Producer Kahne was a true collaborator during the recording process, driving most of the arrangements and coaching Fleming in this music. Also joining Fleming on the album are her two daughters and sister, who sing backup on several songs.
Fleming says that for the recording of this album, “Singing in a small, acoustic booth, with a microphone that’s very close, in this very intimate style, is the complete opposite of how I usually sing.”
There were similarities to how she prepares dramatically for an opera role, however. Fleming points out that for each track on ‘Dark Hope’ “we found an interpretation that enabled the point of view to sound authentic coming from me. Every song has a story, so this whole idea of enacting or playing a role is doubly true for this music.”
MY THOUGHTS:
I admit I never heard of Renee Fleming before, but then that is probably because she is originally an Opera singer, she even sang at President Obama’s presidential inauguration. So I didn’t know what to expect from her singing, especially after reading her track listing. I was curious especially to hear her version of Peter Gabriel’s “In Your Eyes” as that is one of my favorite songs. I will say her singing voice is deeper than I expected, but it is not a bad thing. I have read that this CD is “indie” but I am not sure how I would classify it. I found I like listening to Renee Fleming when I am sitting at the computer or relaxing. He voice is soothing in a deep and different way. I think her singing popular songs is a good choice for this up and coming album because people already know the songs she is singing and like them. I also think it is neat that her daughters are back up singers on some songs!
BUY IT: You can buy the “Dark Hope” CD by Renee Fleming wherever CDs are sold or find it on
Amazonfor $12.99. You can also preview the songs on
Amazon!
GIVEAWAY: (1) winner will receive the “Dark Hope” CD by Renee Fleming
!
