When Love Speaks

Performer: Various Artists
Engineer: Don Murnaghan; James Brett; Alan Rickman; Geoff Foster; Anthony (Tony) Fisher; Iain Roberton; Mark Johnson; Martin Jarvis; Michel Pepin; Robert Lindsay; Steve McLaughlin; Ned Douglas; Brian Tench
Producer: Des'ree; James Brett; Alan Rickman; Prince Sampson; Joseph Shabalala; Manfred Eicher; Michael Kamen; Michel Pepin; Annie Lennox; Robin Trower; Rufus Wainwright; Bryan Ferry
Distributor: EMI Music Distribution

Notes: WHEN LOVE SPEAKS is a collection of Shakespearean love sonnets as read by famous actors, and songs inspired by Shakespeare's love sonnets. It contains a 44 page book. Recorded at Waceeffect Studios, London, England and at Voice Box Studios, Los Angeles, California. Composer: Michael Kamen. Personnel: Rufus Wainwright (vocals, piano); Michel Pepin (guitar); Kate McGarrigle (banjo); Gillian Tingay (harp); Matthew Wadsworth, John Surman (lute); Joel Zifkin (violin); Caroline Dale (cello); Anna McGarrigle (accordion); Charles Green (clarinet); Maya Homburger (soprano saxophone); Stephen Stubbs (tenor saxophone); Michael Kamen (piano). Audio Mixers: Don Murnaghan; Ricky Graham; James Brett; Tim Atack; Iain Roberton; Mark Johnson; Michel Pepin; Ash Howes; Stephen McLaughlin. Liner Note Authors: Nicholas Barter; Michael Kamen; Richard Attenborough. Recording information: AIR Recording Studios, London, England; Mambazo Studios, Kloof, South Africa; Productions Frissons Studio, Montreal, Canada; Sarm West, London, England; Stu Stu Studio, Santa Monica, CA; Waveeffect Studios, London, England. Unknown Contributor Role: Andrew Brown . Arrangers: Joseph Shabalala; Michael Kamen. An unusual collaboration, When Love Speaks features interpretations of William Shakespeare's sonnets and excerpts from his plays by high-profile actors and musicians. It almost goes without saying that performers such as John Gielgud, Jonathan Pryce, Diana Rigg, Ralph and Joseph Fiennes, and Susannah York give accomplished readings of the Bard's work; the musical interludes, which range from the adult alternative pop of Annie Lennox's "Live With Me and Be My Love" to Keb' Mo''s bluesy "No More Be Grieved at That Which Thou Hast Done," aren't quite as successful but add diversity. Highlights include Alan Rickman's reading of "My Mistress' Eyes Are Nothing Like the Sun," Rufus Wainwright's "When, in Disgrace With Fortune and Men's Eyes," and Bryan Ferry's "Shall I Compare Thee to a Summer's Day." Other featured performers include Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Barbara Bonney, Tom Courtenay, and Kenneth Branagh. As a benefit album for the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts -- where most of the featured actors on this album studied -- and as a tribute to Shakespeare, When Love Speaks does an admirable job of marrying high culture to pop culture. ~ Heather Phares

Mojo (Publisher) (April 2002, p.128) - "...Whether burning with unreasonable passion, indulging a playful conceit, pronouncing a generous wisdom or contriving some neat linguistic trick, the majestic language sings with a richness..."

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