Wonderland

This album is pleasant to listen to.Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence (Is a pleasant song to start the album out with.)O Holy Night (This version is pleasant to listen to, and the inclusion of the original French text is a nice addition.)Wonderland (This is a nice way to add lyrics to one of Vivaldi's four seasons.)The Prayer (This is a nice sort of solo version of this song. The addition of the choir in the last part is well done.)Adiemus (This is a beautiful piece of music also the only one without printed lyrics.)Barcarolle (This is the French version. Faryl does a better job on this song then Charlotte Church did.)In Dulce Jubilo (The mix of English and Latin is done in a way that is not awkward but comes off sounding as a nice blend.)Night of Stars (This is probably the weakest song on the whole album. It's still pleasant it just doesn't measure up to the other songs.)Evening Prayer (Again she does better with this song than Charlotte Church.)Blow the Wind Southerly (A folkies song that is just fun.)Hymn to the Moon (Even though this isn't in the original language it's still done reasonably well. Even though this is an opera song and Faryl isn't an opera singer. For a very well done listening of the original opera version I would suggest Renee Fleming. This is a nice modern version of this aria.)Close to You (I original heard this song on the Simpsons. Faryl does a good job with this song.)How Can I Keep From Singing (This is a simple hymn but with the right voice it sounds just amazing.)

This sophomore album follow-up to Faryl's self-titled album is a very beautiful, satisfying album with a good variety of songs. Even though some have billed it as a "Holiday" album, the only Christmas-related songs here are "O Holy Night" and "In Dulci Jubilo" (even the first track, "Somewhere Far Away" from "Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence" is not really considered a Christmas Song). Possessing a voice that is somewhat of a cross between (a young) Charlotte Church, Hayley Westenra and Becky Jane Taylor, Faryl seems equally at ease with Classical ("Barcarolle"), Folk ("How Can I Keep From Singing") and Pop ("Close to You"). One of the biggest highlights of the album is her "duet" with Luciano Pavarotti of "O Holy Night" (Pavarotti's voice has actually been overdubbed into a male choir complementing Faryl's lovely voice.) The title track will leave you with goosebumps. Other highlights are "Adiemus," "Night of Silence" (which really shows off her range), "Evening Prayer" (where she does a lovely duet with herself) and the very pretty "Hymn to the Moon." She took a gamble covering "Close To You" (which one will always associate with The Carpenters), but she does a very nice rendition of it. Not only is Faryl's voice crystal clear - and her diction impeccable - but she also doesn't try to vocally stylize everything, which is such a refreshing change from what you would normally hear with today's vocalists!Even though there are times where the choir and orchestra almost overpower Faryl's voice, this is still an excellent CD, and one I would highly recommend.

I bought 3 "Wonderland" CDs as Christmas presents based solely on other reviews and the sound bites on the item page. Wow! The album is lyrical, Faryl's voice is clear and amazing, and it is the Christmas album I listened to most this season.One of my friends is hooked on CDs by women with strong voices, and she LOVED "Wonderland". What a joy to give a gift by an artist nobody I know has heard of.

Not Christmas at all! "My Favorite Things?" A Christmas song???? It was skipping as well and the case damaged in transit so I returned. Pretty vouce but whenI want Christmas music, its what I want!

This young lass has a superb voice. I much prefer her voice to a lot of the current up-and-coming young stars.

I purchased a used copy of this CD. The CD's condition was fine; however the disc holder was in two pieces. I guess you get what you pay for. I'm leaning away from buying used anything.

I bought this album strictly on the basis of the sample songs. I love it so much I transferred it to my Kindle and to my mp3 player.

An amazing young woman...great voice

Imagine the feeling of settling down by the fire on Christmas Eve, illuminated by fairy lights, watching the snow through the window...the goosebumps you used to get as a child, and maybe still do, if you're lucky. Imagine translating that feeling into music. Well, that's what this album has done.A welcome change from the usual tacky Christmas albums, Wonderland is as delicate and ethereal as Jack Frost, Faryl's voice clear and pure as ever. Everything about this album, from it's silvery blue cover to its tracklist, draws you into a magical world. The opening track, Merry Christmas Mr Lawrence, is stunning with some contemporary, poignant lyrics. Barcarolle, from Tales of Hoffman, is beautifully sung to the familiat, undulating melody, and Blow the Wind Southerly instills you with warmth and happiness. The stand out track, in an album full of quality, is Wonderland, which is set to Vivaldi's 'Winter' from the Four Seasons. This is a most inspired song, one of those tracks that makes you stop what you're doing and listen enrapt, too beautiful to drown out with the sound of anything else, I even found myself trying to breathe quietly.I have one tiny criticism, which didn't merit giving less than five stars to this gorgeous album. The last song, How Can I Keep From Singing, was also included on her last album, the eponymously titled Faryl. It's uncessecary and lazy to re-use songs, and her production team let her down by doing so. That said, Faryl is a huge talent and a joy to listen to, and I look forward to her next album.

I haven't stopped listening to this album since I received it a couple of days ago. The voice that comes from this young girl's mouth is extraordinary. And so mature for one so young. This album came out at the end of last year off the back of her debut which was at the beginning of the year. This one is superb to say the least.The album opens with 'Merry Christmas Mr Lawrence (Somewhere Far Away)' a beautifully sung arrangement which leads on to the rest of the album, which to my mind, is just a triumph. All the tracks are brilliantly arranged and sung exquisitely by this young nightingale who sings so beautifully and sweetly. Tracks such as 'Adiemus' by Karl Jenkins, 'How Can I Keep From Singing' and the Carpenters' 'Close To You' are just some of the highlights.Am looking forward to hearing more from this extraordinary talent who burst onto the scene in 'Britain's Got Talent' in 2008. She may be 13 years old nearly 14 years old but her singing voice is like that of Katherine Jenkins. This second album is a feast for the ears. This comes highly recommended. This is serious talent that shouldn't be ignored.

Faryl Smith is a teenage contestant from a TV talent show, that quickly became a major hit with the public for her wonderful singing voice.After the success of her debut album ("Faryl"), it was perhaps possible that the second might not be as good. However, I enjoyed it just as much. There is an interesting mix of tracks, although they are slightly more religious based than the first album.I really enjoyed the track "O Holy Night" which has had the voice of Luciano Pavarotti digitally added to make it sound like a duet. "Barcarolle" is another favourite of mine and has a beautiful lilt to the track that makes you envisage a room of dancers at a classic ball.I really hope that they take good care of this young lady and that she continues to produce work of this quality in the years to come.

Whilst it has been a number of years since Ms Smith was on a talent show on a Saturday night, the album is a good starting point if you want to hear and learn about classical singing.

WonderlandFaryl Smith's appearance at the Albert Hall Festival of Remembrance this year - 2009 - won me over. Her dignified presentation and uplifting voice made me want more. I bought her first album but - as she said herself - the titles were chosen for her and I was disappointed as no doubt was she but this album - WONDERLAND - is refreshingly different and suits her voice and personality perfectly. With the right guidance and support I can see her replace Katherine Jenkins as the voice of our Armed Services and good luck to her. A lovely girl with a moving selection of songs. Wonderland

Described by Simon Cowell as "one in a million", adored by her fans, and acclaimed by the critics, this young woman from Kettering has the promise of commercial success as an artist.A followup to her debut CD "Faryl", "Wonderland" is a Christmas themed album that tries to capture the magic of "Alice in Wonderland". Once again, Decca Music and Jon Cohen have provided a high quality, beautifully orchestrated album that showcases Faryl's incredible vocal capability.Her rendition of "O Holy Night" is surely one of the finest recordings ever made of this song. Also appealing is "Night of Silence" which is a personal favourite. Among the non-Christmas music is a charming cover of the classic Carpenters tune "Close to You"."Wonderland" was released in 2009 and unfortunately has not sold all that well which is surprising as it is an excellent CD.

This is a good CD with some very nice songs of Faryl Smith.

I had not heard of Faryl before I was sent the recommendation by Amazon and listened to some of the video and song clips. I was so impressed by these that I bought Wonderland and I was not disappointed. Faryle has a haunting voice that makes you want to listen to it again and again. Having listened to this album I will be buying the others in due course. I would give this album a 5-star rating and would recommend it to anyone.

Faryl is one of the best young classical crossover singers in the world. She currently has three CD's available. Her debut album was self titled "Faryl", followed by "Wonderland" and lastly "The Magic Of A Thousand Strings." If you enjoy classical crossover music, or just beautiful music in general, you will love Faryl. Do yourself a favor and add her CD's to your music collection.

I have one tiny criticism, which didn't merit giving less than five stars to this gorgeous album. The last song, How Can I Keep From Singing, was also included on her last album, That said, Faryl is a huge talent and a joy to listen to, and I look forward to her next album. As long as there are no more repeats

I ENJOYED THIS ONE I HAVE NOT HERED MUCH OF HER BUT GOT ME WANTING MORE OF HER

Faryl is a young lady with a remarkable voice, and the tracks on this CD promote her talents to the full. It is pleasing to know that there is someone in the UK that can perform in this manner. Very enjoyable listening.

Great..really enjoyed this

This young lady is coming on really well, she has an innocence t her voice that often fades in later life, at this moment in time she is at her best.

I loved this CD by Faryl Smith, she has a beautiful voice and hopefully a long career. The sons on the Cd are a good mix of styles and genres.