Listening to HAREM, it's hard to believe that multifarious pop diva Sarah Brightman first came to fame as a proponent of musical theater (not counting her early stint with dance-pop group Hot Gossip). After going through a number of stylistic shifts over the years, she has arrived at an unusual point where her sound evokes a strange confluence of Charlotte Church, Enya, and Madonna. Given the "Arabian Nights" sub-theme of the album, you might even throw in a little "Desert Rose"-era Sting as well.
HAREM veers between ethereal, almost New Age-like moments, operatic flurries, percolating dance beats, and some accessible Eastern-flavored exoticism. Through it all, Brightman's Broadway past occasionally pops up, as on her orchestra-accompanied version of the standard "Stranger in Paradise," which is itself based on a classical theme. In fact, the orchestra pops up throughout the album, playing arrangements by former Killing Joke member Jaz Coleman, who's surely ventured as far afield from his origins by this point as Ms. Brightman.
Live Recording
Personnel: Sarah Brightman (vocals, keyboards, background vocals); Shweta Shetty, Jaz Coleman , Natacha Atlas (vocals); Peter Weihe (guitar, sitar); Amir Abdel Magid (kanun); Jiri Burda (mandolin); Lukas Hilbert (electric sitar, background vocals); Abdel Al Aboud, Nigel Kennedy (violin); Dr. Reda Bedaire (nay); Michael Soltau (piano, keyboards, programming); Stephan Moccio (piano); Frank Peterson (keyboards, percussion, programming, background vocals); Matthias Meissner (keyboards, programming); Martin Frosty Beedle (drums); Rony Barrak (percussion); Christian Draude (programming); Gunther Laudahn (background vocals).
Audio Mixers: Frank Peterson; Michael Soltau; Mick Guzauski; Tom Lord-Alge.
Recording information: 2002-2003.
Photographer: Simon Fowler.
Unknown Contributor Role: Sue Mallett.
Personnel: Sarah Brightman (vocals, keyboards); Adam Klemens, Adrian Partington (conductor); Peter Weihe (guitar, sitar); Jin Burda (mandolin); Lukas Hilbert (sitar); Nigel Kennedy (violin); Amir Abdel Magid (kanoun); Reda Bdir (nay); Michael Soltau (piano, keyboards, programming); Stephan Moccio (piano); Frank Peterson (keyboards, percussion, programming, background vocals); Matthias Meissner (keyboards); Trevor Barry (bass); Frosty Beedle (drums); Kuljid Bhamra (tabla); Rony Barrak (percussion); Christian Draude (programming); The Bach Choir, Jaz Coleman, Violet (background vocals); The Prague Symphony Orchestra, The London Symphony Orchestra.
Adapters: Frank Peterson; Christopher von Deylen; Sarah Brightman.
Andrew Dudman; Dennis Preiss; Sameh Hamandi; Frank Peterson; Lubos Novacek; Cenek Kotzman; Samuel Pospisil; John Timperly; Mat Bartrum; Michael Soltau; Niall Acott
-Amazing- I love this album. It's such a different sound yet so Sarah at the same time. Submitted by a reviewer (Huntsville, AL, USa) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo 3 of 3 found this helpful.
BEAUTIFUL & DIFFERENT SOUND FOR THE ANGEL OF MUSIC Sarah Has Done it again! After La Luna I thought it could not be done again. At the first listen of this cd it is different from the classic and show voice of Sarah but ever so beautiful. The music is inspiring & uplifting. Sweet & Seductive in entrances you into her harem world. Submitted by Jennifer (Atlantic City,NJ) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo 3 of 3 found this helpful.
Awesome Job! This is by far Sarah's best album. I love Middle Eastern music so when I looked up my favorite singer Natacha Atlas, it said she was a backing vocal to this CD. I listened to it and it was amazing. I now own Harem and it will never be traded in. Submitted by Mitchell Kissack (Dover, NH, USA) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo 1 of 1 found this helpful.
Disappointing There are a few good numbers but for the most part this album is no way showcases Sarah Brightman's amazing talent. Some of the arrangements are downright boring. Sarah's devotees will want it anyway for the few really good songs but it doesn't compare to Classics, Time to Say Goodbye, Eden or Luna. Submitted by a reviewer (Memphis, TN) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo 2 of 3 found this helpful.
A delightful Listen I must admit that this is the first album I have ever bought for Sarah Brightman. In fact I just learnt about Sarah November 2005 while checking the Wikipedia website under the category whistle register. As a big fan of singers who possess that rare ability (Minnie Riperton, Deniece Williams, Shanice, Mariah Carey)I became interested to see what she can do. Despite the fact that she on this album did not display that ability for the most part I must confess that I'm delightfully happy that I purchased this album. The blend of Middle Eastern music and classical pop is a wonderful creation. I must give cudos to Sarah and her team for coming up with such a tremendous concept. I would never think of listening Mid-Eastern music and have learnt to appreciate it thanks to Sarah. The lyrics are general in meaning and simple. However, Sarah's sweet caressing voice gently takes you through, making you want more. Sarah is truly an amazing artiste and this musical journey has made me a fan of Sarah and so I am looking forward to buy her earlier works and new ones to come. Submitted by Arden.ennis (Jamaica) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
-Amazing-
Disappointing
A delightful Listen
Share this Product