Product description CD: Oi Va Voi,Oi Va Voi Review Over the last few years, few bands have had it tougher than Oi Va Voi. Back in 2003 the London-based genre-benders looked to be a on a straight road to success. Their album, Laughter Through Tears, was causing worldwide ripples, having wed the flair of Jewish klezmer music with brazen mainstream beats.And then, without warning, it all fell apart. First, the band was tossed aside by guest vocalist K.T. Tunstall - a departure which ripped the heart from their live show. With their time dominated by scouring the country for a suitable vocalist, Oi Va Voi started to lose sight of their goals. And then came the bitter fall-outs and the illnesses. Before long, Oi Va Voi had completely slipped from the mainstream radar. So perhaps after such a turbulent time, recording an album alone should be applauded as an achievement - but I'm afraid I just can't be that optimistic about their self-titled sophomore effort, Oi Va Voi. Compared to its bittersweet predecessor - and its magical way of being culturally intriguing yet instantly accessible - this album can hardly stand up. By comparison, it's deflated and cheerless. Rather than tickling our emotions, it tries limply to placate us with dreary-eyed, ethereal-tinged rock. Each track seems spiritless and formulaic, with only new single ''Yuri'' - a frenzied and playfully anachronistic slice of industrial-klezmer - making any real impact. Listening to this album, there's a conclusion which can't be avoided: something has torn a gaping hole in the rich tapestry of Oi Va Voi. Having parted with K.T. Tunstall, some might have predicted as much. What they won't have foreseen is just how big the hole is. The struggle goes on. --Robert Jackman Find more music at the BBC This link will take you off in a new window
R**S
What a great band
Ok, I'm partisan. I rate Oi Va Voi really highly. I saw them in concert at the time Laughter Through Tears was released and was completely knocked out. Then the great Sophie Solomon left and I wondered. Then I saw them in Bristol again, with their new singer and new album and they were stonking. I awaited the new album with anticipation. And first time round, I thought, good but not as good... But listening to it again, I'm knocked out! With the exception of the first track whick doesn't deserve the prominence it's given, it's otherwise just lovely. If you like soaring clarinet, whistful trumpet, powerful singing, poignant singing, violin, and great bass and percussion, built on simple, yet complex, tunes, buy it. But give it a chance.
D**D
Very reasonable and great condition
Great sounds
L**N
And a very good musical expericence
Quick delivery, no problems at all. And a very good musical expericence!
D**S
Oi Va Voi deserve more attention...
Oi Va Voi released their sophomore self-titled album and frankly I was not anticipating that they could surpass their groundbreaking Laughter Through Tears. But 'oh yes', in my humble opinion, they did. With a new singer in their line-up, who adequately replaces KT Tunstall, the London group delivers a mixed bag of songs, albeit not as diverse as their debut. That is not a bad thing though. The album sounds more coherent and the flow is seamless.The band's intentions are evident from the first track "Yuri". An upbeat composition dedicated to the Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin, that sets the mood for the rest of the album. All the songs in which Alice McLaughlin offers her vocals are exceptional, but my personal favourite is "Further Deeper", one of Oi Va Voi's best tracks to date... Very powerful vocals, focused instrumentation and an astounding chorus that sends shivers down my spine every time I listen to it. "Look Down" has the potential to stick into your head for days, while the Eastern European "Balkanik" will uplift your soul. Overall a more melodic and harmonious album than their debut. I would encourage everyone to buy this!!!
T**N
disgruntled fan
Well the three previous reviewers clearly have different tastes to my own. I can't say that I bought the cd based on their recommendations, since given how much I enjoyed both "Laughter Through Tears" and "Poison Sweet Madeira" (both of which in my opinion deserve a five star rating), I'm pretty sure I would have bought it anyway.This latest offering is very obviously from the same stable; too obviously, since the the tunes/chords/even some of the lyrics are largely a pastiche of their tracks from previous recordings. Meanwhile, the new female vocalist just doesn't cut it; maybe she's more effective in concert.I eagerly anticipate the next cd from Sophie Solomon, but am unlikely to purchase anything else from Oi Va Voi. If you don't know the band yet, then I urge you to buy Laughter Through Tears; if you do, my strong suggestion is that you purchase at least one song from this latest cd via mp3 downloan, before committing to purchasing the entire album.
N**R
A fantastic follow-up to Laughter Through Tears
I've been anticipating new material from Oi Va Voi for a while, and am delighted to say, they haven't disappointed. It starts with a great upbeat track called 'Yuri' about Yuri Gagarin, which is followed up by the sublime 'Further Deeper', my favourite track on the album, with a stunning vocal. There is a huge variety on 'Oi Va Voi' - balkan instrumentals, soulful ballads, and all with that inimitable, distinctive Oi Va Voi sound. The production by Mike Spencer is spot-on too, I prefer it to Laughter Through Tears. He has brought a richness of tone to the violin, clarinet and drums, and upped the bass so the record sounds much more like the electrifying experience you get from a live Oi Va Voi gig. Remarkable!
G**A
articolo un po' rovinato
essendo un cd di seconda mano, la qualità ne doveva risentire. in un paio di punti il cd salta, ma sono più esigente su atri dischi, questo era solo intrattenimento e quindi per il prezzo molto basso sono soddisfatto
A**R
Four Stars
Dynamic band, combining Hungarian and Jewish folk influences and house music. Strong female vocals. I own all their music.
