Russell Watson · The Voice Music

Average Rating:

Reading the reviews, I'm somewhat embarrassed by the elitist attitudes that fellow classical music lovers have toward Watson and I ignore the 2-3 sentence reviews downgrading this album as a personal attack on him. I cannot fathom how reviewers are just listening to the minutest details of the failings of his voice. For example, I can also listen, note for note, and completely ruin my enjoyment of music, in comparing the three tenors singing Nessun Dorma in one of my albums with Watson's Nessun Dorma. Of course, the three tenors combined do sing this aria superbly but there is one stanza near the end in which Watson's voice is more powerful, unbelievably, than the three tenors. The tenors sing a few pop songs with their beautiful voices but uncomfortably and you cannot decipher what words are being sung. Not so, with Watson. That said, I still appreciate the three tenors singing pop tunes uncomfortably and Watson singing Nessun Dorma and the other classical arias at perhaps a level below the great tenors. Despite what the critics say, his pop songs are easy to listen to and he is more than adequate on the more difficult classical arias. He provides a versatility in his transition from pop to classic to pop that few other singers can match and do it well. This is what separates Watson from everyone else and probably the reason for his rising popularity. He is clearly opening the doors of classical music to an audience that are not devoted to classical music. His charismatic appeal is developing an extremely loyal audience, judging by the passionate 5-Star reviews and a growing public following. I will continue to pursue my love of classical music with the great classical singers but also keep an eye on this unusual, but wonderful singer, Watson, because he is a unique and talented individual that is captivating the general public and is well-described as the "people's tenor."