4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Kerry Ellis Is A British vocal phenom joined by Brian May, Sep 28 2010
By Brien Comerford - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Anthems (Audio CD)
Queen's guitar virtuoso, Brian May, is a master in reference to selecting vocalists. It started with the iconic Freddie Mercury, then he joined forces with the wondrously bluesy Paul Rogers and now he has produced and played guitar for the soon to be a major starlet, Kerry Ellis. If you can fuse Kate Bush' voice with Carrie Underwood's voice that's how great Kerry Ellis sings. "Anthems" is immediately impressive and infectious. The opening track "Dangerland" is exotic and enchanting. The song "Anthems" has a major Queeen influence and Kerry Ellis' vocal performance is amazing. This song and several others are bolstered and enhanced by some majestic Brian May guitar riffs featuring his inimitable tones.
Other major highlights are May's poignant "Save Me", "the spectacular and rousing "Defying Gravity" and "the sterling and heartrending "I'm Not That Girl". Other appealing gems are "I Can't Be Your Friend", the tender "No One But You" and the gorgeous and emotive closing track "I Loved A Butterfly"(Written By Brian May.
I was pleasantly surprised and even awed by the grandeur of this CD. Kerry Ellis is a vocal phenomenon and once again Brian May displays his resplendent instrumental talents while unveiling the enormous talent of an exemplary vocalist.
This is a bona fide 5 Star Cd.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
3.0 out of 5 stars
Much ado . . ., Feb 28 2011
By John W. Dunner "Jay Dunner" - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Anthems (Audio CD)
The runaway "Defying Gravity" is a take-no-prisoners rallying cry for empowerment, and Ellis and producer Brian May (Queen) give it an all-out delivery. The problem is that the rest of Anthems takes the same cookie-cutter approach: Broadway-bluster vocals, Brian May's layered guitar leads, and very little nuance anywhere. From the spiritual "You Have to Be There" to the darker "Diamonds Are Forever" cover, they're all anthems, but in the heat of the battle, an occasional moment of silence can be much more profound.
3.0 out of 5 stars
Disappointed, Nov 19 2010
By Joyce - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Anthems (Audio CD)
I am a bit dissapointed in this cd. I thought the cd was too short and repeated a bunch of songs from her other cd. But I must say the new songs on this CD is fantastic.