JosA© Carreras, Robert Farnon And His Orchestra - Love is Jose Carreras

"Oh, Moon Grow Bright And Make This Endless Day Endless Night Tonight"

"Tonight the minutes seem like hours
The hours go slowly
And still the sky is light
Oh, moon grow bright
And make this endless day
Endless night tonight."

Yes, it's my favorite song from "West Side Story" penned by Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim, "Tonight" - I simply love the romantic and operatic way Mr. Carreras sung it, not to mention the beautiful orchestral arrangement of one of the finest arrangers/conductors in the history of orchestration, the late Robert Farnon. This is the best track and my absolute favorite from this collection. I listened to it repeatedly 'cause my ears are requesting for more listens on this track.

As someone who was greatly influenced by my late parents' music, I've always loved the music of The Three Tenors - Luciano Pavarrotti, Placido Domingo and José Carreras. That's why I just love this beautiful, romantic and operatic album from one of the trio, José Carreras. It was recorded in London December of 1983. I listen to it when I feel like listening to a set of meaningful and memorable songs with operatic vocals and this lovely CD, "Love Is ... José Carreras" fits that description. I'm listening to it now and I'm enjoying every minute of it.

This is one the best orchestral works of Robert Farnon and Mr. Carreras heartfelt performances are truly moving starting with a beautiful and meaningful song "Because You're Mine," written by an eloquent lyricist, Sammy Cahn, and a great composer Nicholas Brodzky. This song is very seldom recorded, but I've been hearing it from my parent's collection when I was growing up. The version I so love is that of Kitty Kallen on her album "If I Give My Heart To You," now available on a CD format, which I have in my collection.

The songs here are tastefully chosen, beautifully interpreted, and sublimely orchestrated. Most of them are theme songs from popular movies and stage plays. Robert Farnon and José Carreras teaming-up is just incredible, you can't go wrong. Every track is a winner!

Mr. Carreras sings "Tenderly" almost like a serenade. It starts of with just a guitar accompaniment then with an orchestra that highlights his powerful and mesmeric vocals. He will also enchant you with "The Shadow Of Your Smile" "Love Is A Many Splendored Thing," "The Way We Were" and "Memory."

Listen to the intro on "As Time Goes By" and let your ears capture its charm. Ditto with "The Summer Knows," "My Own True Love" and "The Impossible Dream." The finale is a song made popular by Frank Sinatra, "My Way." This is the only track that Mr. Farnon did not arrange. The chart arrangement was written by Derek Cox.

While others say a thing about his diction, to my ears he sings these songs so beautifully. I believe that slight imperfections are the very essence of real beauty and they are some of the good stuff beautiful things are made of.

And remember this . . . Beauty is in the ear of the beholder.

Have a very memorable listening experience!

"This album fulfills a long-standing ambition to record some of my very favourite songs, which afforded the extra pleasure of working with Robert Farnon. I hope you enjoy listening as much as we enjoyed recording." ~ José Carreras ~
January 27, 2007

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