Reneé Fleming: Haunted Heart

I was beside myself when I first listened to Reneé Fleming's Haunted Heart. I could not believe my ears. I've heard a lot of Renee's previous classical works and became very familiar with her voice, but her voice on this album is something I've never heard. It's so beautiful, I can't get over it! The bottom line: WOW!

My first listening to this was in my car on a dark rainy day. The first track, Haunted Heart was perfect for the atmosphere and my mood at the time. Let's just say I was filled with emotion - good emotion of coarse! Later that week, I let my friend (Reneé Fleming's number one fan and classical music fanatic) listen to the album. He wasn't expecting anything spectacular; he feels classical artists' crossover albums are usually disappointing. Once the album started, his expectations were quickly blown away. His reaction to the Reneé Fleming's Haunted Heart was priceless. He was in absolute agreement that this album is fantastic.

This side of Reneé is a side a great number of the public has never heard, although, it's actually where she began her performing career. In Reneé Fleming's biography, we learned that during her undergraduate studies, performing meant singing at off-campus bars with her jazz trio every weekend for two years. Although, Reneé ultimately chose to travel the road of classical music (an extremely successful road at that), she says, "These songs have haunted my heart over the years..." Now, as successful as she is, she was able to get those songs off her "haunted heart" - an emotional release clearly evident in her performance.

Bill Frisell and Fred Hersch play with extreme sensitivity and musical ease. They equally match Reneé Fleming's flawless performance. The album would not be what it is without them.

Top Tracks

• Haunted Heart - Preview, Purchase and Download
• River - Preview, Purchase and Download
• Canção do Amor - Preview, Purchase and Download