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For the Stars | 
 enlarge | Artists: Anne Sofie Von Otter, Elvis Costello
Label: Deutsche Grammophon
Category: Music
Buy New: $17.98
New (41) Used (52) from $1.45
Rating:  61 reviews
Sales Rank: 70111
Media: Audio CD
Discs: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.3
Dimensions (in): 5.6 x 4.9 x 0.5
MPN: 469530
UPC: 028946953020
EAN: 0028946953020
ASIN: B00005A46I
Release Date: April 10, 2001
Shipping: Eligible for Super Saver Shipping
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
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| Tracks:
| • | No Wonder | | • | Baby Plays Around | | • | Go Leave | | • | Rope | | • | Don't Talk (Put Your Head On My Shoulder) | | • | Broken Bicycles / Junk | | • | The Other Woman | | • | Like An Angel Passing Through My Room | | • | Green Song | | • | April After All | | • | You Still Believe In Me | | • | I Want To Vanish | | • | For No One | | • | Shamed Into Love | | • | Just A Curio | | • | This House Is Empty Now | | • | Take It With Me | | • | For The Stars |
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| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.com
At a time when popular music has been micro-marketed to the far side of ad nauseam, Declan MacManus, a.k.a. Elvis Costello, has traded on his reputation as the brightest songwriter to emerge from the new wave era to foster any number of delightful, cross-genre/generation musical surprises, including soundtracks and collaborations with the Brodsky Quartet, Paul McCartney, jazz artist Roy Nathanson, and songwriting legend Burt Bacharach. The latest fruit of that generous, insatiably curious artistic spirit is this elegant partnership with Swedish mezzo-soprano Anne-Sofie von Otter. Though an admitted pop novice, Otter couldn't have picked a better confederate than Costello, an artist whose taste in songs has seldom been tainted by trend. Together, they weave material from disparate sources--including a slate of compelling Costello material, a pair of Brian Wilson's evocative "Pet Sounds" confessionals, a Tom Waits song from Francis Ford Coppola's One from the Heart (oddly, though effectively, coupled in medley with McCartney's "Junk"), an Abba song, and the Beatles' "For No One"--into a musical tapestry of stately power and grace. Costello sparingly uses his voice as seasoning throughout, though his masterful touch is everywhere. Otter's novice pop singing reveals an easy knack for jazz phrasing that should tempt further explorations and a warmth that belies the rigidity that's so often a byproduct of classical training. Most gratifying of all, this album ultimately achieves what's become one of the loftiest plateaus in Pop music: common ground. --Jerry McCulley
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| Customer Reviews: Read 56 more reviews...
 really really bad March 12, 2008
0 out of 2 found this review helpful
I like Von Otter so much. I have so many of her albums I decided to buy this one when I saw it at Academy Records in nYc where people trade their things they don't want for things they do want. I guess there is a reason this ended up there. This album is terrible.
 Van Otter meets Costello 'For the Stars' January 19, 2008
Saw the making if this CD on our Sky TV Arts channel and we were singularly impressed with the superb tonal qualities of Annie Sofie Van Otter's voice. Many thanks to Elvis Costello who was instrumental in encouraging Annie to cut this CD. What a great deal of pleasure it has brought to us.Those of you who enjoy intimate songs and captivating lyrice performed by a singer with a beautiful voice cannot help but love this CD.
 a polarizing disc January 2, 2008
Judging from all the reviews already posted (five stars or one star, and almost nothing in between), this has to be one of the most polarizing discs ever recorded.
It disappoints Costello fans who don't seek out soft, reflective music. It angers Von Otter fans who don't like 'pop' music.
I like postmodern mixing of categories. If you're ready to have your expectations violated, this is a rewarding album.
If you don't know either of these singers, it's kind of like the Carpenters on acid.
Loved this CD June 13, 2006
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Who would pair Costello and an opera singer?? Elvis, and somehow it works. I really love the tone and moodiness of it and lyrics that talk about love and life, failure and success. It's soulful, in a contemplative way, music for those tucked away, rainy days .
I LOVE this CD! September 1, 2005
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
Finally, an opera singer who knows how to channel her Classical training into a sound that is, as one critic aptly described it, "what pop singers would sound like if they could actually sing"! Although Elvis Costello does not join Ms. von Otter very often in the vocals, when he does they harmonize beautifully. With great melodies (some beautiful, some catchy) and sensitive (but not sappy) lyrics, this album makes a fine addition to any CD collection.
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