AVE MARIA...glorious reading by Karen

[cam83]

I have always been blown away by this song. The song itself is just gorgeous. Just magnificient. Not everyone can sing this song as it is very rangey, and the pronounciation of the latin words needs to be just right. Just a wonderful song.

I think the fact that Karen sang this song, is a tribute to her and her voice. I know some great singers have recorded this song pre and after Karen...like Jewel, Celine Dion(diff version), Sandi Patty, Barbra Streisand and others...but Karen's is the stand out version and always will be. She just zooms into this song and makes her own stand out taller than anyone other's. Sorry, but true, in my opinion.

She sings the song as if tailor made for her. It's also a bit of a shock to see that she had a nice wide range. A lot of people only know her for her deep voice...but as we know, she had a nice 4 octave range. Imagine her singing this song live for you...

Gorgeous. Fabulous. Fantastic. Spine tingling. Spine Chilling. Angelic.

Her performance fits into these words. I love how she slides up the octaves with such ease and than back down again. Just marvelous...our Karen.

My thoughts,
Cam

[Moe]

I actually go back and forth on whose version of "Ave Maria" I like best. I think Barbra and Celine yell in their versions to hit the notes, (my opinion only) but Sandi Patty's version is also incredible. I love the fact that Sandi did both Schubert and Gounod?? versions of the song and blended them together effortlessly.

I love them both and glad there are great versions of this song out there to enjoy and compare.

[Rick Henry]

I haven't heard Celine's version, but I have heard Barbra Steisand's and I thought she butchered the song. she yells it out, instead of being intimate with it.
Haven't heard Sandy Patty's version, but I'm certain it must be wonderful.

As for Karen, no other pop vocalist can top her reading of the song. This song was meant for Karen to sing. Her tones are pure, her diction is crystal clear, just absolutely, purely beautiful. This song contains that certain chill factor.

[cam83]

Yes, Karen's version is by far the classiest...but Sandi does a gorgeous version of it...but then I won't compare both of theirs together because they are both wonderful singers but in different styles...Karen had a low contralto and Sandi has a very high c...soprano...very operatic in some ways(well she was trained as an opera singer in some ways...take a listen to her platinum selling LIVE: More than wonderful 1983 album...she also does her Karen and Babs imitation...)

Cam