Arielle Dombasle – Extase (2002) Lossless

Arielle Dombasle is sort of a "niche" singer, one who has her real fans (of which I am one), and a far too large multitude who fail to see the point. Oh well, it would be a dull world if we all liked the same things. In her previous offerings, Mlle. Dombasle is a kind of little girl/sex kitten performing "Cabaret" (to boil it down to one word). This is an entirely new lady...classical/sacred, with an almost totally different voice...no "sex kitten" whatever. I liked her other CDs, and I really like this, too.
Some numbers more known than others...Gabriel Faure is well represented, having 4 of the 11 cuts...and she does do her "own thing" with them (can you say "Sarah Brightman"?)...but I enjoyed the result. The Gounod "Ave Maria" is quite special, as is the Moussorgsky "Prayer". I shall admit that the "Lakme" selection is a trifle heavy on the bass.
The album is quite well done...good sound and insturmental back-up, nice cover picture, booklet notes all in French, which I can't read, but really don't care on this. As I have stated in other reviews, Mlle. Dombasle is not to everybody's taste, though she sure is to mine. A word of caution; shop around, be patient. This is a tough-to-find import. Great as this record is, no CD that could ever be made is worth what some sellers want for it. Still, if you're a fan, it rates the effort.