Search - Diamanda Galás :: Singer

A chanteuse back from Hell

05/13/1998

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The SingerOperatically-trained AIDS activist/performance artist Diamanda Galas plays the "it's the song, not the singer" game here, and wins. Accompanying herself on piano, Galas gives thoughtful, impassioned= readings of these songs (mostly standards, many previously recorded as parts of her performance pieces), leaving behind for the moment her infamous 8-octave vocal gymnastics and beyond-the-pit-of-Hell moaning.= Maybe not as personal an album as "Plague Mass", but certainly accessable to those afraid of her earlier (and scarier) works."

A landmark recording

Amadeus 888 | London | 05/11/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Galas' performance of these songs is simply awesome. Many have sung them before her, but who will dare to sing them after her? Her performance somehow transfigures these very familiar classic blues and spirituals, bringing out a depth of emotion, an awesome power and force, a wonderful subtlety of feeling that was hitherto unknown. Her voice blends perfectly with the piano, her vocals are perfectly balanced, each "scream" and intonation neither too much nor too little, but just perfect. I don't think I will ever again be able to listen to someone else's interpretation of "I put a spell on you" or "A balm in Gilead" without somehow finding it lacking in comparison with Diamanda Galas' performance. She simply outshines them all."

Not the best...

P. Fester | Toronto, Canada | 01/26/2002

(3 out of 5 stars)

"I've been a fan of Diamanda's work for quite a while. I must admit this isn't the best Diamanda Galas album, but it does have some wonderful songs. The Singer consists of performences performed on the Judgement Day tour, however, if you can find a copy of the Judgement Day VHS you'll find a better example her amazing work. This album is not as beautiful as Malediction and Prayer but is still a good example of her work with her voice and her piano. The best tracks include Gloomy Sunday and Judgement Day!"