Thursday March 28, 2024
CD: Andre Rieu - New York Memories
Review

CD: Andre Rieu - New York Memories

By Damian Madden
April 28 2007

The last time I checked, the word “schmooze” didn’t exactly have the best connotation. So, it was surprising to see the press release accompanying this CD refer to Dutch violinist Andre Rieu as “the King of Schmooze.” However, after listening to New York Memories, the description (along with my original thoughts about the description) proved to be spot on.

New York Memories is the latest album from Rieu and features his “Johann Strauss Orchestra”, which is a major problem. It may seem like a novel idea, but if you’re meant to be a violin soloist, why spend all your time playing what the other violins are playing? The very term “soloist” requires that you play by yourself. Unfortunately, on most of the tracks on New York Memories, Rieu and his 350 year old instrument are hidden in the string section backing up some rather sub-par singers.

While on some songs (My Way) Rieu demonstrates the skills that have helped him sell so many albums and pack out concert halls around the world, on others (Pie Jesu, I Will Follow Him and Amigos Para Siempre) he might as well not be there.

Even worse: the song choice. Does anyone need another instrumental version of Music of the Night or Stars and Stripes Forever? The world certainly did not need another version of that old chestnut Jackety Sax, better known as the Benny Hill Theme. Listening to New York Memories you can’t help but wonder how the songs were chosen and how they relate to the CD’s title. (There are no liner notes to help.) But if this collection is what Rieu has taken away from a trip to New York he must have had a pretty lousy time.

There are however a few gems hidden amongst the schmaltz, Seventy Six Trombones is bombastic and fun while Nun’s Chorus from Casanova and The Godfather Waltz work well. However these aren’t enough to save the disc. In fact, New York Memories doesn’t even work as background music, unless you like your quiet, candle-lit dinner suddenly interrupted by Benny Hill.

CD: Andre Rieu - New York Memories

Although aimed at the Mother’s Day market (sorry mum) this CD is destined for the bottom of the 75% off barrel, if it’s lucky.

The CD is out now through Universal Music

 

Subscribe

Get all the content of the week delivered straight to your inbox!

Register to Comment
Reset your Password
Registration Login
Registration