Harem (album): Difference between revisions
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{{Short description|2003 album by Sarah Brightman}} |
{{Short description|2003 album by Sarah Brightman}} |
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{{EngvarB|date=October 2013}} |
{{EngvarB|date=October 2013}} |
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{{Use dmy dates|date= |
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2024}} |
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{{Infobox album |
{{Infobox album |
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| name = Harem |
| name = Harem |
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| venue = |
| venue = |
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| studio = |
| studio = |
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| genre = |
| genre = {{hlist| [[Classical crossover]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/harem-mw0000028570|title=Harem overview – Sarah Brightman |publisher=[[AllMusic]]}}</ref>|[[Middle Eastern music]]|[[Arabic pop]]|[[World music|Ethnic fusion]]|[[Eurodisco]]|[[Baroque pop]]}} |
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| length = 59:25 |
| length = 59:25 |
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| label = [[Angel Records]] |
| label = [[Angel Records]] |
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}} |
}} |
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'''''Harem''''' is the eighth studio album by English singer |
'''''Harem''''' is the eighth studio album by English singer [[Sarah Brightman]], released in the United States on 10 June 2003 through [[Angel Records]].<ref name=dates>{{Cite web | url = http://www.sarah-brightman.com/htm_news/2.php?ID=19 | publisher = Sarah Brightman's official website | title = Remaining launch dates for Harem | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131102031337/http://www.sarah-brightman.com/htm_news/2.php?ID=19 | archive-date = 2 November 2013 }}</ref> The album continued the collaboration between Brightman and her longtime producer Frank Peterson. |
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Although it has an inclination towards her signature operatic performance, the album encompasses dance-oriented and uptempo styles in keeping with a celebratory motif. In contrast to the [[classical crossover]] music style that framed her previous releases, ''Harem'' showcases a wider range of genres, exploring [[World music]]-related styles, such as [[Arabic music|Arabic]] and [[Indian music]]. |
Although it has an inclination towards her signature operatic performance, the album encompasses dance-oriented and uptempo styles in keeping with a celebratory motif. In contrast to the [[classical crossover]] music style that framed her previous releases, ''Harem'' showcases a wider range of genres, exploring [[World music]]-related styles, such as [[Arabic music|Arabic]] and [[Indian music]]. |
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''Harem'' received generally positive reviews. The Arabian-flavoured album was commercially well received in certain territories. It became Brightman's first top 10 album ever in [[Oricon|Japan]] and debuted in [[Canadian Albums Chart|Canada]] at No. 7. It topped the US [[Top Classical Albums]] chart for seven consecutive weeks.<ref name="Harem Chart Performance">{{Cite web | url = http://www.billboard.com/artist/278189/sarah-brightman/chart?f=309 | |
''Harem'' received generally positive reviews. The Arabian-flavoured album was commercially well received in certain territories. It became Brightman's first top 10 album ever in [[Oricon|Japan]] and debuted in [[Canadian Albums Chart|Canada]] at No. 7. It topped the US [[Top Classical Albums]] chart for seven consecutive weeks.<ref name="Harem Chart Performance">{{Cite web | url = http://www.billboard.com/artist/278189/sarah-brightman/chart?f=309 | magazine = Billboard | title = Sarah Brightman chart history}}</ref> With ''Harem'', Brightman became the only artist ever to have simultaneously held the number 1 spot in ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]''{{'}}s [[Classical music|Classical]] and [[Dance music|Dance]] charts.<ref name="Sarah Brightman Video Biography">{{Cite web | url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zXl8bsC4lnI | title = Sarah Brightman Video Biography (3:17)| via = [[YouTube]]}}</ref> |
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Following the release of ''Harem'', Brightman launched the [[Harem World Tour]], followed by the ''Harem: a Desert Fantasy'' and ''[[The Harem World Tour: Live from Las Vegas]]'' DVDs. |
Following the release of ''Harem'', Brightman launched the [[Harem World Tour]], followed by the ''Harem: a Desert Fantasy'' and ''[[The Harem World Tour: Live from Las Vegas]]'' DVDs. |
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===Structure and style=== |
===Structure and style=== |
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Sarah Brightman's official website describes the album as "heady and intoxicating" and "without doubt, the most expansive and cinematic of Sarah's albums yet". |
Sarah Brightman's official website describes the album as "heady and intoxicating" and "without doubt, the most expansive and cinematic of Sarah's albums yet". |
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Brightman and producer Frank Peterson combined their contemporary and dance-oriented sensibilities with the [[Exoticism|exotic]] instrumentation and melodic phrases of bygone eras. ''Harem'' is part of Brightman's continued experimentation with [[concept albums]]. It explores [[World music]]-related styles, such as [[Arabic music|Arabic]] and [[Indian music]]. According to Jerry McCulley of [[Amazon |
Brightman and producer Frank Peterson combined their contemporary and dance-oriented sensibilities with the [[Exoticism|exotic]] instrumentation and melodic phrases of bygone eras. ''Harem'' is part of Brightman's continued experimentation with [[concept albums]]. It explores [[World music]]-related styles, such as [[Arabic music|Arabic]] and [[Indian music]]. According to Jerry McCulley of [[Amazon (company)|Amazon]], "Brightman steps into that pan-cultural hall of mirrors here, wedding her fascination with the music and rhythms of the 'forbidden places' (the title's Arabic meaning) of the Middle East to her own oft ethereal vocal charms and rock-solid sense of drama".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.com/Harem-Sarah-Brightman/dp/B00008W2QZ/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top|title= Amazon's Editorial Review – Sarah Brightman – Harem|publisher= Amazon}}</ref> Jason Shawhan of [[Artist Direct]] said "the entire record is built around a Middle Eastern theme, and many instruments native to that region flow through the mix of [[baroque pop]], crunch-opera, [[Euro disco|eurodisco]], and passionate [[balladry]]".<ref name=ac>{{cite web|url=http://dancemusic.about.com/cs/reviews/fr/SBrightmanHarem.htm|title=Sarah Brightman – Harem – Review|publisher=[[About.com]]|access-date=15 January 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130402210120/http://dancemusic.about.com/cs/reviews/fr/SBrightmanHarem.htm|archive-date=2 April 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> The editorial review of [[Barnes & Noble]] states that "the disc dips into [[worldbeat]] territory while showcasing the multi-million-selling artist's haunting voice".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.barnesandnoble.com/enwiki/w/harem-sarah-brightman/7490834|title= Sarah Brightman – Harem| publisher=[[Barnes & Noble]]}}</ref> |
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===Songs and lyrics=== |
===Songs and lyrics=== |
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The title track of ''Harem'' is an adaptation of "Canção do Mar," a classic from [[Portugal]]'s [[fado]] tradition. Roxanne Seeman, Sarah Brightman and producer Frank Peterson wrote new lyrics for the melody, in which the singer hears a connection between Middle Eastern sounds and the ancient inspirations of fado. Brightman said, "I've loved this song for ages. In our version, I wanted it to have a contemporary, Arabian Nights feel – love, the desert, passion and fire but also with a dance feeling." |
The title track of ''Harem'' is an adaptation of "Canção do Mar," a classic from [[Portugal]]'s [[fado]] tradition. [[Roxanne Seeman]], Sarah Brightman and producer [[Frank Peterson]] wrote new lyrics for the melody, in which the singer hears a connection between Middle Eastern sounds and the ancient inspirations of fado. Brightman said, "I've loved this song for ages. In our version, I wanted it to have a contemporary, Arabian Nights feel – love, the desert, passion and fire but also with a dance feeling." |
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The singer's imagination drove a new sound for some classic hits – ranging from "[[What a Wonderful World]]" and "[[Stranger in Paradise (song)|Stranger in Paradise]]" – both bathed in the Eastern atmosphere that has inspired her. "Stranger in Paradise" circles back to Borodin's voluptuous Polovetsian Dances for its rich orchestral textures, cradling Brightman's crystalline singing. "What a Wonderful World" is an audacious reinvention of a well-traveled pop feel-good anthem – edgier this time, tinged with melancholy. "It's a Beautiful Day" features the singer's operatic voice; in this song Puccini's "Un Bel di" is artfully coalesced with driving synthesizer beats and Middle Eastern refrains. "The melody has this feeling of space, of mystery, of times gone by", Brightman said. |
The singer's imagination drove a new sound for some classic hits – ranging from "[[What a Wonderful World]]" and "[[Stranger in Paradise (song)|Stranger in Paradise]]" – both bathed in the Eastern atmosphere that has inspired her. "Stranger in Paradise" circles back to Borodin's voluptuous Polovetsian Dances for its rich orchestral textures, cradling Brightman's crystalline singing. "What a Wonderful World" is an audacious reinvention of a well-traveled pop feel-good anthem – edgier this time, tinged with melancholy. "It's a Beautiful Day" features the singer's operatic voice; in this song Puccini's "Un Bel di" is artfully coalesced with driving synthesizer beats and Middle Eastern refrains. "The melody has this feeling of space, of mystery, of times gone by", Brightman said. |
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"What You Never Know" is the album's first Canadian single and the work of songwriter Stephan Moccio who wrote "[[A New Day Has Come (song)|A New Day Has Come]]", the title song for [[Céline Dion]]'s album. Brightman said that her first meeting with him sparked the collaboration. "It was wonderful", she said. "He even knew the key I sound best in. He understood about simplicity, and I told him, 'I don't want you to have barriers – write something for me that you really feel.' This song has that 'inside' feeling. I heard it immediately". |
"What You Never Know" is the album's first Canadian single and the work of songwriter Stephan Moccio who wrote "[[A New Day Has Come (song)|A New Day Has Come]]", the title song for [[Céline Dion]]'s album. Brightman said that her first meeting with him sparked the collaboration. "It was wonderful", she said. "He even knew the key I sound best in. He understood about simplicity, and I told him, 'I don't want you to have barriers – write something for me that you really feel.' This song has that 'inside' feeling. I heard it immediately". |
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"The Journey Home" comes from Indian film composer [[A.R. Rahman]]'s hit West End Bollywood musical [[Bombay Dreams]], produced in London by Andrew Lloyd Webber. It was Lloyd Webber who brought the song to Brightman's attention. "I've been in love with [[Indian films]], and I've known Rahman's music for a long time. When I heard the song I really, really liked it. It has a different interpretation here than in the musical, but it has the right feel". |
"The Journey Home" comes from Indian film composer [[A. R. Rahman]]'s hit West End Bollywood musical [[Bombay Dreams]], produced in London by Andrew Lloyd Webber. It was Lloyd Webber who brought the song to Brightman's attention. "I've been in love with [[Indian films]], and I've known Rahman's music for a long time. When I heard the song I really, really liked it. It has a different interpretation here than in the musical, but it has the right feel". |
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"Free" lends ''Harem'' the French connection Brightman wanted it to have. The song was actually written in German, about the cathartic end of a love affair. The lyrics were, to Brightman "amazing, but it was very difficult to make them fit in English". A French translation of the English version helped solve the problem, and the gentle commentary of Kennedy's violin gives the track an even greater intensity. |
"Free" lends ''Harem'' the French connection Brightman wanted it to have. The song was actually written in German, about the cathartic end of a love affair. The lyrics were, to Brightman "amazing, but it was very difficult to make them fit in English". A French translation of the English version helped solve the problem, and the gentle commentary of Kennedy's violin gives the track an even greater intensity. |
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The lyrics of "Mysterious Days" lend Harem a hipper, more modern sensibility in its evocation of American expatriates in Marrakech – Paul Bowles, in particular, and The Sheltering Sky. "It talks about the Casbah, working in the attic, the mix of the city and the Americans working there, and it has a dance aspect to it as well", Brightman said. |
The lyrics of "Mysterious Days" lend Harem a hipper, more modern sensibility in its evocation of American expatriates in Marrakech – Paul Bowles, in particular, and The Sheltering Sky. "It talks about the Casbah, working in the attic, the mix of the city and the Americans working there, and it has a dance aspect to it as well", Brightman said. |
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== Release == |
== Release == |
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''Harem'' was physically released in Japan on 19 March 2003.<ref name="Amazon.co.jp">{{Cite web | url = https://www.amazon.co.jp/%E3%83%8F%E3%83%AC%E3%83%A0-CCCD-%E3%82%B5%E3%83%A9%E3%83%BB%E3%83%96%E3%83%A9%E3%82%A4%E3%83%88%E3%83%9E%E3%83%B3/dp/B000087OR1/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1358135674&sr=8-4 | publisher = Amazon |
''Harem'' was physically released in Japan on 19 March 2003.<ref name="Amazon.co.jp">{{Cite web | url = https://www.amazon.co.jp/%E3%83%8F%E3%83%AC%E3%83%A0-CCCD-%E3%82%B5%E3%83%A9%E3%83%BB%E3%83%96%E3%83%A9%E3%82%A4%E3%83%88%E3%83%9E%E3%83%B3/dp/B000087OR1/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1358135674&sr=8-4 | publisher = Amazon | title = Amazon Japan – Sarah Brightman – Harem | language=ja}}</ref> The album was digitally released worldwide by [[Angel Records]] on 28 April 2003.<ref name=de>{{cite web|url=https://itunes.apple.com/de/album/harem/id16327545|title=Sarah Brightman – Harem| date=January 2003 | publisher=[[iTunes Store]]}}</ref><ref name=us>{{cite web|url=https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/harem/id16327545|title=Sarah Brightman – Harem| date=January 2003 | publisher=[[iTunes Store]]}}</ref><ref name=au>{{cite web|url=https://itunes.apple.com/au/album/harem/id16327545|title=Sarah Brightman – Harem| date=January 2003 | publisher=[[iTunes Store]]}}</ref> |
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==Singles== |
==Singles== |
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"[[Harem (song)|Harem]]" was released as the album's lead single. The original version was "Canção do Mar", a song first performed by [[Fado]] singer [[Amália Rodrigues]] in 1955 and later popularised by [[Dulce Pontes]]. The Remixes EP was released on 4 November 2003.<ref>{{Cite web | url = https://www.amazon.com/Harem-Sarah-Brightman/dp/B0000DZTSC/ref=sr_1_14?ie=UTF8&qid=1358211054&sr=8-14 | title = Harem [Single]}}</ref> It reached no. 1 on the US [[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] [[Hot Dance Club Songs|Dance/Club Play Songs]] chart.<ref>[http://www.billboard.com/charts/2003-09-06/dance-club-play-songs Hot Dance Club Songs, Billboard.com, issue date 6 September 2003]</ref> |
"[[Harem (song)|Harem]]" was released as the album's lead single. The original version was "Canção do Mar", a song first performed by [[Fado]] singer [[Amália Rodrigues]] in 1955 and later popularised by [[Dulce Pontes]]. The Remixes EP was released on 4 November 2003.<ref>{{Cite web | url = https://www.amazon.com/Harem-Sarah-Brightman/dp/B0000DZTSC/ref=sr_1_14?ie=UTF8&qid=1358211054&sr=8-14 | title = Harem [Single]| publisher = Amazon}}</ref> It reached no. 1 on the US [[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] [[Hot Dance Club Songs|Dance/Club Play Songs]] chart.<ref>[http://www.billboard.com/charts/2003-09-06/dance-club-play-songs Hot Dance Club Songs, Billboard.com, issue date 6 September 2003]</ref> |
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"It's a Beautiful Day", the album's second international single, features an excerpt of "Un bel dì vedremo", from [[Giacomo Puccini|Puccini]]'s opera ''[[Madama Butterfly]]''. |
"It's a Beautiful Day", the album's second international single, features an excerpt of "Un bel dì vedremo", from [[Giacomo Puccini|Puccini]]'s opera ''[[Madama Butterfly]]''. |
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"What You Never Know" was released as the first single in Canada. The release (17 June 2003) included the French version "Tout ce que je sais".<ref>{{Cite web | url = https://www.amazon.ca/What-You-Never-Know-Tracks/dp/B00009YGU7 | publisher = |
"What You Never Know" was released as the first single in Canada. The release (17 June 2003) included the French version "Tout ce que je sais".<ref>{{Cite web | url = https://www.amazon.ca/What-You-Never-Know-Tracks/dp/B00009YGU7 | publisher = Amazon | title = What You Never Know (2 Tracks) [Maxi]}}</ref> |
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The fourth and final overall single was "[[Free (Sarah Brightman song)|Free]]". It was released on 21 June 2004.<ref>{{Cite web | url = https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000SZER1U/ref=dm_sp_alb?ie=UTF8&qid=1358213006&sr=8-13 | publisher = |
The fourth and final overall single was "[[Free (Sarah Brightman song)|Free]]". It was released on 21 June 2004.<ref>{{Cite web | url = https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000SZER1U/ref=dm_sp_alb?ie=UTF8&qid=1358213006&sr=8-13 | publisher = Amazon | title = Free}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web | url = http://de.7digital.com/artist/sarah-brightman/release/free | publisher = [[7digital]] | title = Free (2004) | access-date = 15 January 2013 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131102124127/http://de.7digital.com/artist/sarah-brightman/release/free | archive-date = 2 November 2013 | url-status = dead }}</ref> It ranked No. 3 on the US [[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] [[Hot Dance Club Songs|Dance/Club Play Songs]] chart.<ref>[http://www.billboard.com/charts/2004-04-10/dance-club-play-songs Hot Dance Club Songs, Billboard.com, issue date 6 September 2003]</ref> "What A Wonderful World/Strangers in Paradise" was released as a double A-side single in East Asia.<ref name=sb1>{{Cite web | url = http://www.sarah-brightman.com/htm_news/2.php?ID=56 | publisher = Sarah Brightman's official website | title = Global promo and "Harem TV Special" update | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131102031208/http://www.sarah-brightman.com/htm_news/2.php?ID=56 | archive-date = 2 November 2013 }}</ref> |
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==Promotion== |
==Promotion== |
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Brightman began a promotional tour in support of the album, beginning on 23 April 2003 on the Japanese ''News Station'' news program of [[TV Asahi]]. She performed "Beautiful", "Question of Honour" and "Sarahbande". |
Brightman began a promotional tour in support of the album, beginning on 23 April 2003 on the Japanese ''News Station'' news program of [[TV Asahi]]. She performed "Beautiful", "Question of Honour" and "Sarahbande". |
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On 2 May, Brightman went to Taiwan for a 4-day stay in Taipei.<ref>{{Cite web | url = http://www.sarah-brightman.com/htm_news/2.php?ID=9 | publisher = Sarah Brightman's official website | title = TAIWAN UPDATE: Undaunted by SARS scare, Sarah visits Taipei | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131102031332/http://www.sarah-brightman.com/htm_news/2.php?ID=9 | archive-date = 2 November 2013 |
On 2 May, Brightman went to Taiwan for a 4-day stay in Taipei.<ref>{{Cite web | url = http://www.sarah-brightman.com/htm_news/2.php?ID=9 | publisher = Sarah Brightman's official website | title = TAIWAN UPDATE: Undaunted by SARS scare, Sarah visits Taipei | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131102031332/http://www.sarah-brightman.com/htm_news/2.php?ID=9 | archive-date = 2 November 2013 }}</ref> |
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During the promotional tour in Germany (from 20 to 24 May), the singer performed "It’s a Beautiful Day" and "[[Con te partirò|Time to Say Goodbye]]" on [[ARD (broadcaster)|ARD]]'s ''Hits, Hits, Hits 25 Years Superstars & Megahits'' special event. Brightman made an appearance at the Grand Prix Eurovision de la Chanson für Deutschland performing "It's a Beautiful Day" and "Harem".<ref>{{Cite web | url = http://www.sarah-brightman.com/htm_news/2.php?ID=14 | publisher = Sarah Brightman's official website | title = Sarah's promotional tour in Germany | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131102031256/http://www.sarah-brightman.com/htm_news/2.php?ID=14 | archive-date = 2 November 2013 |
During the promotional tour in Germany (from 20 to 24 May), the singer performed "It’s a Beautiful Day" and "[[Con te partirò|Time to Say Goodbye]]" on [[ARD (broadcaster)|ARD]]'s ''Hits, Hits, Hits 25 Years Superstars & Megahits'' special event. Brightman made an appearance at the Grand Prix Eurovision de la Chanson für Deutschland performing "It's a Beautiful Day" and "Harem".<ref>{{Cite web | url = http://www.sarah-brightman.com/htm_news/2.php?ID=14 | publisher = Sarah Brightman's official website | title = Sarah's promotional tour in Germany | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131102031256/http://www.sarah-brightman.com/htm_news/2.php?ID=14 | archive-date = 2 November 2013 }}</ref> Later on, she performed "Harem" at the ''Goldene Henne'' TV show on 29 September 2003. One month later, Brightman joined [[Schiller]] on stage to perform "The Smile", a track included in the [[The Harem Tour CD|Harem Tour CD]]. |
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Finland was Brightman's final stop in Europe. She performed "Harem" and "It's a Beautiful Day" at the Suomen Neito beauty contest.<ref>{{Cite web | url = http://www.sarah-brightman.com/htm_news/2.php?ID=15 | publisher = Sarah Brightman's official website | title = Helsinki fans welcome Sarah | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131102031252/http://www.sarah-brightman.com/htm_news/2.php?ID=15 | archive-date = 2 November 2013 |
Finland was Brightman's final stop in Europe. She performed "Harem" and "It's a Beautiful Day" at the Suomen Neito beauty contest.<ref>{{Cite web | url = http://www.sarah-brightman.com/htm_news/2.php?ID=15 | publisher = Sarah Brightman's official website | title = Helsinki fans welcome Sarah | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131102031252/http://www.sarah-brightman.com/htm_news/2.php?ID=15 | archive-date = 2 November 2013 }}</ref> |
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Promotional appearances took place in Canada at the end of May.<ref>{{Cite web | url = http://www.sarah-brightman.com/htm_news/2.php?ID=16 | publisher = Sarah Brightman's official website | title = Promotional appearances and in-person autograph session in Montreal | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131102031334/http://www.sarah-brightman.com/htm_news/2.php?ID=16 | archive-date = 2 November 2013 |
Promotional appearances took place in Canada at the end of May.<ref>{{Cite web | url = http://www.sarah-brightman.com/htm_news/2.php?ID=16 | publisher = Sarah Brightman's official website | title = Promotional appearances and in-person autograph session in Montreal | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131102031334/http://www.sarah-brightman.com/htm_news/2.php?ID=16 | archive-date = 2 November 2013 }}</ref> She performed ''Harem'' at [[Fashion Cares]] event, and also appeared at the [[Canada AM]] morning show.<ref>{{Cite web | url = http://www.sarah-brightman.com/htm_news/2.php?ID=17 | publisher = Sarah Brightman's official website | title = Sarah in Toronto for AIDS charity show | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131102031130/http://www.sarah-brightman.com/htm_news/2.php?ID=17 | archive-date = 2 November 2013 }}</ref> The singer later performed at the Canadian concert series ''Live at the Rehearsal Hall'' during October.<ref>{{Cite web | url = http://www.tvguide.com/detail/tv-show.aspx?tvobjectid=444759&more=ucepisodelist&episodeid=3975774 | publisher = [[TV Guide]] | title = Live at the Rehearsal Hall Episode Guide – Sarah Brightman}}</ref> Promotion in Canada continued in January 2004 with Brightman's Arabian-themed concert on [[CBC Television|CBC]]'s ''Opening Night'', which included British violinist Nigel Kennedy and Iraqi singer Kadim Al Sahir as guest performers.<ref>{{Cite web | url = http://www.tvguide.com/detail/tv-show.aspx?tvobjectid=430131&more=ucepisodelist&episodeid=4061583 | publisher = [[TV Guide]] | title = Opening Night Episode Guide – Sarah Brightman}}</ref> |
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Promotion in the United States started on 9 June. An autograph session in New York City was held and Brightman later appeared on ''[[The Sharon Osbourne Show]]''.<ref>{{Cite web | url = http://www.sarah-brightman.com/htm_news/2.php?ID=24 | publisher = Sarah Brightman's official website | title = JUNE 9: Sarah in New York City today for 4-day promo tour | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131102031216/http://www.sarah-brightman.com/htm_news/2.php?ID=24 | archive-date = 2 November 2013 |
Promotion in the United States started on 9 June. An autograph session in New York City was held and Brightman later appeared on ''[[The Sharon Osbourne Show]]''.<ref>{{Cite web | url = http://www.sarah-brightman.com/htm_news/2.php?ID=24 | publisher = Sarah Brightman's official website | title = JUNE 9: Sarah in New York City today for 4-day promo tour | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131102031216/http://www.sarah-brightman.com/htm_news/2.php?ID=24 | archive-date = 2 November 2013 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web | url = https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0109208/ | publisher = [[IMDb]] | title = Sarah Brightman profile}}</ref> |
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Brightman went to Brazil's ''Hebe'' show twice to promote the album. The first time, in 2003, she performed "Harem", and during the second visit, in 2004, she sang "What a Wonderful World".<ref>{{Cite web | url = http://www.sarah-brightman.com/htm_news/2.php?ID=36 | publisher = Sarah Brightman's official website | title = Meet Sarah at CD signing in São Paulo | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131102031213/http://www.sarah-brightman.com/htm_news/2.php?ID=36 | archive-date = 2 November 2013 |
Brightman went to Brazil's ''Hebe'' show twice to promote the album. The first time, in 2003, she performed "Harem", and during the second visit, in 2004, she sang "What a Wonderful World".<ref>{{Cite web | url = http://www.sarah-brightman.com/htm_news/2.php?ID=36 | publisher = Sarah Brightman's official website | title = Meet Sarah at CD signing in São Paulo | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131102031213/http://www.sarah-brightman.com/htm_news/2.php?ID=36 | archive-date = 2 November 2013 }}</ref> |
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Brightman was a headlining performer at the 2004 Arabian Music Awards in Dubai, United Arab Emirates,<ref>{{Cite web | url = http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=story_17-5-2004_pg9_6 | |
Brightman was a headlining performer at the 2004 Arabian Music Awards in Dubai, United Arab Emirates,<ref>{{Cite web | url = http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=story_17-5-2004_pg9_6 | work = Daily Times|location=Pakistan | title = First Arabian Music Awards ceremony at Dubai}}</ref> and in August, she performed "The War Is Over" with Kadim Al Sahir at the Beiteddine Festival in Beirut, Lebanon.<ref>{{Cite web | url = http://www.sarah-brightman.com/htm_news/2.php?ID=41 | publisher = Sarah Brightman's official website | title = Sarah performs with Kadim in Beirut | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131102031131/http://www.sarah-brightman.com/htm_news/2.php?ID=41 | archive-date = 2 November 2013 }}</ref> In Jordan, Brightman made a live guest appearance at the International Souk Ukaz cultural festival to sing her duet with Kadim Al Sahir.<ref>{{Cite web | url = http://www.sarah-brightman.com/htm_news/2.php?ID=49 | publisher = Sarah Brightman's official website | title = Sarah's Scandinavian and Middle East promo tour | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131102031214/http://www.sarah-brightman.com/htm_news/2.php?ID=49 | archive-date = 2 November 2013 }}</ref> |
||
''Harem – The Sarah Brightman Special'' was used as a promotional tool. It premiered at the [[New York Film Festival]] where later won the first prize for ''Best Musical Documentary'' and was later broadcast in the United States through [[PBS]] and in several other countries: Croatia (HRT), Turkey (CNBC-e), Finland (MTV3), Singapore (Arts Central TV), Canada (CBC).<ref name=sb1/> It was later released on DVD as ''Harem – a Desert Fantasy''.<ref>{{Cite web | url = https://www.amazon.com/Sarah-Brightman-Harem-Desert-Fantasy/dp/B0001C9YRC | title = Sarah Brightman – Harem Desert Fantasy (2004)}}</ref> |
''Harem – The Sarah Brightman Special'' was used as a promotional tool. It premiered at the [[New York Film Festival]] where later won the first prize for ''Best Musical Documentary'' and was later broadcast in the United States through [[PBS]] and in several other countries: Croatia (HRT), Turkey (CNBC-e), Finland (MTV3), Singapore (Arts Central TV), Canada (CBC).<ref name=sb1/> It was later released on DVD as ''Harem – a Desert Fantasy''.<ref>{{Cite web | url = https://www.amazon.com/Sarah-Brightman-Harem-Desert-Fantasy/dp/B0001C9YRC | title = Sarah Brightman – Harem Desert Fantasy (2004)| publisher = Amazon}}</ref> |
||
===Tour=== |
===Tour=== |
||
{{Main|Harem World Tour}} |
{{Main|Harem World Tour}} |
||
Beginning on 10 January 2004 and ending on 23 December 2004 the tour spanned 119 stops, with sixty-eight in North America, twenty-four in Asia, twenty in Europe and five in Oceania. |
Beginning on 10 January 2004 and ending on 23 December 2004, the album's world tour spanned 119 stops, with sixty-eight in North America, twenty-four in Asia, twenty in Europe and five in Oceania. |
||
The Harem World Tour grossed $60 million and sold 800,000 tickets in total, $15 million and 225,000 sales of which came from the North American leg.<ref>{{Cite web | url = http://www.sarahbrightman.com/biography/7| publisher = Sarah Brightman's official website | title = Biography}}</ref> |
The Harem World Tour grossed $60 million and sold 800,000 tickets in total, $15 million and 225,000 sales of which came from the North American leg.<ref>{{Cite web | url = http://www.sarahbrightman.com/biography/7| publisher = Sarah Brightman's official website | title = Biography}}</ref> |
||
==Critical reception== |
==Critical reception== |
||
{{ |
{{Music ratings |
||
| rev1 = [[Allmusic]] |
| rev1 = [[Allmusic]] |
||
| rev1Score = {{Rating|3|5}}<ref name="ReferenceA">{{AllMusic|class=album|id=r636932|label=Harem|first=Aaron|last=Latham}}</ref> |
| rev1Score = {{Rating|3|5}}<ref name="ReferenceA">{{AllMusic|class=album|id=r636932|label=Harem|first=Aaron|last=Latham}}</ref> |
||
Line 105: | Line 105: | ||
}} |
}} |
||
Jason Shawhan of [[Artist Direct]] gave the album 4 |
Jason Shawhan of [[Artist Direct]] gave the album {{frac|4|1|2}} stars out of 5, saying that "Brightman and producer/long time collaborator Frank Peterson have outdone themselves with this effort, it's a beautiful piece of work worth the listening".<ref name=ac/> Aaron Latham of [[Allmusic]] gave the album 3 stars out of 5, writing that while "adopting a Middle Eastern flavor to enhance her blend of classical and new age pop, Sarah Brightman's Harem continues her experimentation with thematic discs that began with 1993's oceanic ''[[Dive (Sarah Brightman album)|Dive]]''. Brightman's Harem adventure is interesting enough to have listeners packed and ready to travel with her on another musical journey".<ref name="ReferenceA"/> |
||
===Awards=== |
===Awards=== |
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Line 112: | Line 112: | ||
==Chart performance== |
==Chart performance== |
||
''Harem'' became Brightman's first top 10 album ever in [[Oricon|Japan]] selling 17,952 copies at its peak position of No. 4.<ref>{{Cite web | url = http://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/artist/73615/ranking/cd_album/ | publisher = [[Oricon]] | title = Oricon – Sarah Brightman – Albums Stats | language=ja}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web | url = http://www.geocities.jp/object_ori/030512a.html | publisher = [[Yahoo! GeoCities]] | title = Japan's Album Chart Archives | language=ja}}</ref> It was certified Gold there after selling over 100,000 copies. |
''Harem'' became Brightman's first top 10 album ever in [[Oricon|Japan]] selling 17,952 copies at its peak position of No. 4.<ref>{{Cite web | url = http://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/artist/73615/ranking/cd_album/ | publisher = [[Oricon]] | title = Oricon – Sarah Brightman – Albums Stats | language=ja}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web | url = http://www.geocities.jp/object_ori/030512a.html | publisher = [[Yahoo! GeoCities]] | title = Japan's Album Chart Archives | language=ja}}</ref> It was certified Gold there after selling over 100,000 copies. |
||
In [[Canadian Albums Chart|Canada]], the album debuted at the top 10. It entered the chart at No. 7 selling 6,300 copies in the first week.<ref>{{Cite web | url = http://jam.canoe.ca/Music/Artists/L/Led_Zeppelin/2003/06/04/746876.html | publisher = [[Canoe.ca|Jam! Canoe]] | title = Zep tops Canadian charts }}</ref> It remained inside the top 10 in the following week landing at #8.<ref>{{Cite |
In [[Canadian Albums Chart|Canada]], the album debuted at the top 10. It entered the chart at No. 7 selling 6,300 copies in the first week.<ref>{{Cite web | url = http://jam.canoe.ca/Music/Artists/L/Led_Zeppelin/2003/06/04/746876.html | archive-url = https://archive.today/20130101012228/http://jam.canoe.ca/Music/Artists/L/Led_Zeppelin/2003/06/04/746876.html | url-status = usurped | archive-date = 1 January 2013 | publisher = [[Canoe.ca|Jam! Canoe]] | title = Zep tops Canadian charts }}</ref> It remained inside the top 10 in the following week landing at #8.<ref>{{Cite magazine | url = http://www.billboard.com/charts/2003-06-21/canadian-albums | magazine=Billboard | title = Canadian Albums – Week of June 21, 2003}}</ref> It later achieved Gold status for shipments of over 50,000 copies. The album reached the no. 1 spot on Turkey's D&R international sales chart.<ref>{{Cite web | url = http://www.sarah-brightman.com/htm_news/2.php?ID=38 | publisher = Sarah Brightman's official website | title = Worldwide promo and charts update | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131102031301/http://www.sarah-brightman.com/htm_news/2.php?ID=38 | archive-date = 2 November 2013 }}</ref> It topped the ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' [[Top Classical Albums]] chart for seven consecutive weeks and it spent 105 weeks on the chart.<ref>{{Cite magazine | url = {{BillboardURLbyName|artist=sarah brightman|chart=all}} | magazine=Billboard | title = Sarah Brightman – Harem – Album Info}}</ref> In the [[United States]], the album underperformed expectations, with sales tracked by Nielsen SoundScan figuring at approximately 333,000, or about one-third the total sales of Brightman's previous studio album, ''[[La Luna (Sarah Brightman album)|La Luna]]''.<ref name="billboard_haremtour">{{Cite magazine | last=Ault | first=Susanne | date=10 April 2004 | title=Brightman's Harem Tour A Welcome Surprise | magazine=Billboard | volume=116 | issue=15 | page=17 | issn= 0006-2510 }}</ref> |
||
==Track listing== |
==Track listing== |
||
* All the songs were produced by [[Frank Peterson]]. |
* All the songs were produced by [[Frank Peterson]]. |
||
{{track listing |
|||
{{tracklist |
|||
| title1 = [[Harem (song)|Harem]] |
| title1 = [[Harem (song)|Harem]] |
||
| writer1 = [[Sarah Brightman]], Frederico de Brito, Frank Peterson, [[Roxanne Seeman]], Ferrer Trindade |
| writer1 = [[Sarah Brightman]], Frederico de Brito, Frank Peterson, [[Roxanne Seeman]], Ferrer Trindade |
||
Line 131: | Line 131: | ||
| length4 = 3:24 |
| length4 = 3:24 |
||
| title5 = The Journey Home |
| title5 = The Journey Home |
||
| writer5 = Don Black, [[A.R.Rahman]] |
| writer5 = Don Black, [[A. R. Rahman]] |
||
| length5 = 4:56 |
| length5 = 4:56 |
||
| title6 = [[Free (Sarah Brightman song)|Free]] |
| title6 = [[Free (Sarah Brightman song)|Free]] |
||
Line 148: | Line 148: | ||
| length9 = 0:54 |
| length9 = 0:54 |
||
| title10 = Beautiful |
| title10 = Beautiful |
||
| writer10 = Nicola Hitchcock, |
| writer10 = [[Nicola Hitchcock]], Saul Freeman ([[Mandalay (band)|Mandalay]]) |
||
| length10 = 4:35 |
| length10 = 4:35 |
||
| title11 = Arabian Nights: Scimitar Moon / Voyage / Promise / Hamesha / Alone |
| title11 = Arabian Nights: Scimitar Moon / Voyage / Promise / Hamesha / Alone |
||
Line 162: | Line 162: | ||
| total_length = 59:25 |
| total_length = 59:25 |
||
}} |
}} |
||
{{track listing |
|||
{{tracklist |
|||
| headline = USA Edition |
| headline = USA Edition |
||
| collapsed = yes |
|||
| title14 = You Take My Breath Away |
| title14 = You Take My Breath Away |
||
| writer14 = Brightman, Peterson |
| writer14 = Brightman, Peterson |
||
Line 170: | Line 169: | ||
| total_length = 66:14 |
| total_length = 66:14 |
||
}} |
}} |
||
{{track listing |
|||
{{tracklist |
|||
| headline = International Edition |
| headline = International Edition |
||
| collapsed = yes |
|||
| title14 = Guéri De Toi |
| title14 = Guéri De Toi |
||
| note14 = French version of "Free" |
| note14 = French version of "Free" |
||
Line 178: | Line 176: | ||
| total_length = 63:14 |
| total_length = 63:14 |
||
}} |
}} |
||
{{track listing |
|||
{{tracklist |
|||
| headline = Canadian Edition |
| headline = Canadian Edition |
||
| collapsed = yes |
|||
| title14 = Tout Ce Que Je Sais |
| title14 = Tout Ce Que Je Sais |
||
| note14 = French version of "What You Never Know" |
| note14 = French version of "What You Never Know" |
||
Line 189: | Line 186: | ||
| total_length = 66:44 |
| total_length = 66:44 |
||
}} |
}} |
||
{{track listing |
|||
{{tracklist |
|||
| headline = Japanese Edition |
| headline = Japanese Edition |
||
| collapsed = yes |
|||
| title14 = Sarahbande |
| title14 = Sarahbande |
||
| length14 = 3:50 |
| length14 = 3:50 |
||
| total_length = 63:15 |
| total_length = 63:15 |
||
}} |
}} |
||
{{track listing |
|||
{{tracklist |
|||
| headline = Japanese Ultimate Edition (2004) |
| headline = Japanese Ultimate Edition (2004) |
||
| collapsed = yes |
|||
| title14 = Sarahbande |
| title14 = Sarahbande |
||
| length14 = 3:50 |
| length14 = 3:50 |
||
Line 211: | Line 206: | ||
===Weekly charts=== |
===Weekly charts=== |
||
{| class="wikitable sortable" |
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" style="text-align:center" |
||
|+Weekly chart performance for ''Harem'' |
|||
⚫ | |||
! Chart (2003) |
! Chart (2003) |
||
! Peak<br />position |
! Peak<br />position |
||
|- |
|- |
||
{{album chart|Australia|16|artist=Sarah Brightman|album=Harem}} |
{{album chart|Australia|16|artist=Sarah Brightman|album=Harem|access-date=2 June 2022|rowheader=true}} |
||
|- |
|- |
||
{{album chart|Austria|22|artist=Sarah Brightman|album=Harem}} |
{{album chart|Austria|22|artist=Sarah Brightman|album=Harem|access-date=2 June 2022|rowheader=true}} |
||
|- |
|- |
||
{{album chart|BillboardCanada|7|artist=Sarah Brightman|album=Harem| |
{{album chart|BillboardCanada|7|artist=Sarah Brightman|album=Harem|access-date=2 June 2022|rowheader=true}} |
||
|- |
|- |
||
{{album chart|Denmark|35|artist=Sarah Brightman|album=Harem}} |
{{album chart|Denmark|35|artist=Sarah Brightman|album=Harem|access-date=2 June 2022|rowheader=true}} |
||
|- |
|- |
||
{{album chart| |
{{album chart|Netherlands|27|artist=Sarah Brightman|album=Harem|access-date=2 June 2022|rowheader=true}} |
||
|- |
|- |
||
!scope="row"|European Albums ([[European Top 100 Albums|Top 100]])<ref>{{cite web|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/00s/2003/MM-2003-07-12.pdf#page=9|title=European Top 100 Albums|work=[[Music and Media]]|date=12 July 2003|page=9|access-date=2 June 2022}}</ref> |
|||
⚫ | |||
| 34 |
|||
|- |
|- |
||
⚫ | |||
⚫ | |Greek Albums ([[IFPI]])<ref>{{Cite web | url = http://www.ifpi.gr/chart01.htm | publisher = [[IFPI Greece]] | title = Top 50 Ξένων Άλμπουμ – Sarah Brightman – Harem | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20040605194410/http://www.ifpi.gr/chart01.htm | archive-date = 5 June 2004 | url-status = dead |
||
⚫ | |||
⚫ | |||
⚫ | |||
⚫ | !scope="row"|Greek Albums ([[IFPI]])<ref>{{Cite web | url = http://www.ifpi.gr/chart01.htm | publisher = [[IFPI Greece]] | title = Top 50 Ξένων Άλμπουμ – Sarah Brightman – Harem | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20040605194410/http://www.ifpi.gr/chart01.htm | archive-date = 5 June 2004 | url-status = dead }}</ref> |
||
|align="center"|3 |
|align="center"|3 |
||
|- |
|- |
||
|Hungarian Albums ([[MAHASZ]])<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mahasz.hu/?menu=slagerlistak&menu2=archivum&lista=top40&ev=2003&het=31&submit_=Keres%E9s|title= Sarah Brightman – Harem – Top 40 album, és válogatáslemez-lista | publisher=[[Mahasz]]}}</ref> |
!scope="row"|Hungarian Albums ([[MAHASZ]])<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mahasz.hu/?menu=slagerlistak&menu2=archivum&lista=top40&ev=2003&het=31&submit_=Keres%E9s|title= Sarah Brightman – Harem – Top 40 album, és válogatáslemez-lista | publisher=[[Mahasz]]}}</ref> |
||
| style="text-align:center;"|20 |
| style="text-align:center;"|20 |
||
|- |
|- |
||
⚫ | |||
⚫ | |||
⚫ | |||
⚫ | |||
|align="center"|8 |
|align="center"|8 |
||
|- |
|- |
||
{{album chart| |
{{album chart|New Zealand|29|artist=Sarah Brightman|album=Harem|access-date=2 June 2022|rowheader=true}} |
||
|- |
|- |
||
{{album chart| |
{{album chart|Norway|36|artist=Sarah Brightman|album=Harem|access-date=2 June 2022|rowheader=true}} |
||
|- |
|- |
||
{{album chart| |
{{album chart|Portugal|12|artist=Sarah Brightman|album=Harem|access-date=2 June 2022|rowheader=true}} |
||
|- |
|- |
||
{{album chart| |
{{album chart|Sweden|17|artist=Sarah Brightman|album=Harem|access-date=2 June 2022|rowheader=true}} |
||
|- |
|- |
||
{{album chart| |
{{album chart|Switzerland|53|artist=Sarah Brightman|album=Harem|access-date=2 June 2022|rowheader=true}} |
||
|- |
|- |
||
⚫ | !scope="row"|Taiwanese Albums ([[Rose Records and Tachung Records|G-Music]])<ref name=tw>{{Cite web | url = http://www.sarah-brightman.com/htm_news/2.php?ID=11 | publisher = Sarah Brightman's official website | title = "Harem is no. 1 in Taiwan!" – Taiwan's International chart | date = 18 May 2003 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131102031254/http://www.sarah-brightman.com/htm_news/2.php?ID=11 | archive-date = 2 November 2013 | url-status = dead }}</ref> |
||
⚫ | |||
⚫ | |||
⚫ | |Taiwanese Albums ([[Rose Records and Tachung Records|G-Music]])<ref name=tw>{{Cite web | url = http://www.sarah-brightman.com/htm_news/2.php?ID=11 | publisher = Sarah Brightman's official website | title = "Harem is no. 1 in Taiwan!" – Taiwan's International chart | date = 18 May 2003 | archive-url = https:// |
||
|align="center"|1 |
|align="center"|1 |
||
|- |
|- |
||
|United Arab Emirates Albums<ref>{{Cite web | url = http://www.sarah-brightman.com/htm_news/2.php?ID=12 | publisher = Sarah Brightman's official website | title = "Harem rides to the top of the charts in the Middle East!" – United Arab Emirates' International chart | date = 29 May 2003 | archive-url = https:// |
!scope="row"|United Arab Emirates Albums<ref>{{Cite web | url = http://www.sarah-brightman.com/htm_news/2.php?ID=12 | publisher = Sarah Brightman's official website | title = "Harem rides to the top of the charts in the Middle East!" – United Arab Emirates' International chart | date = 29 May 2003 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131102031127/http://www.sarah-brightman.com/htm_news/2.php?ID=12 | archive-date = 2 November 2013 | url-status = dead }}</ref> |
||
|align="center"|1 |
|align="center"|1 |
||
|- |
|- |
||
{{album chart|Billboard200|29|artist=Sarah Brightman|album=Harem|id=12331|access-date=2 June 2022|rowheader=true}} |
|||
{{album chart|UK|172|}} |
|||
|- |
|- |
||
{{album chart| |
{{album chart|BillboardClassical|1|artist=Sarah Brightman|album=Harem|id=12331|access-date=2 June 2022|rowheader=true}} |
||
⚫ | |||
⚫ | |||
|} |
|} |
||
{{col-2}} |
{{col-2}} |
||
===Year-end charts=== |
===Year-end charts=== |
||
{| class="wikitable" |
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" |
||
|+2003 year-end chart performance for ''Harem'' |
|||
|- |
|||
! Chart (2003) |
! Chart (2003) |
||
! Position |
! Position |
||
|- |
|- |
||
|German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.offiziellecharts.de/charts/album-jahr/for-date-2003|title=Top 100 Album-Jahrescharts|language=German|work=[[GfK Entertainment]]|publisher=offiziellecharts.de|access-date=8 May 2021}}</ref> |
!scope="row"|German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.offiziellecharts.de/charts/album-jahr/for-date-2003|title=Top 100 Album-Jahrescharts|language=German|work=[[GfK Entertainment]]|publisher=offiziellecharts.de|access-date=8 May 2021}}</ref> |
||
|align="center"|82 |
|align="center"|82 |
||
|} |
|} |
||
===Sales and certifications=== |
===Sales and certifications=== |
||
{{certification Table Top}} |
{{certification Table Top|caption=Sales and certifications for ''Harem''}} |
||
{{certification Table Entry|region=Canada|artist=Sarah Brightman|title=Harem|award=Gold|type=album|certyear=2003|certmonth=8|relyear=2003}} |
{{certification Table Entry|region=Canada|artist=Sarah Brightman|title=Harem|award=Gold|type=album|certyear=2003|certmonth=8|relyear=2003}} |
||
{{certification Table Entry|region=Germany|artist=Sarah Brightman|title=Harem|award=Gold|type=album|relyear=2003}} |
{{certification Table Entry|region=Germany|artist=Sarah Brightman|title=Harem|award=Gold|type=album|relyear=2003}} |
||
{{certification Table Entry|type=album|title=Harem |artist=Sarah Brightman|relyear=2003|region=Greece|award=Gold|id=20040605194410|relmonth=11}} |
{{certification Table Entry|type=album|title=Harem |artist=Sarah Brightman|relyear=2003|region=Greece|award=Gold|id=20040605194410|relmonth=11}} |
||
{{certification Table Entry|region=Japan|artist= |
{{certification Table Entry|region=Japan|artist=サラ・ブライトマン|title=Harem |award=Gold|type=album|certyear=2003|certmonth=6|relyear=2003|relmonth=5}} |
||
{{certification Table Entry|title=Harem|artist=Sarah Brightman|type=album|region=South Korea |
{{certification Table Entry|title=Harem|artist=Sarah Brightman|type=album|region=South Korea|award=Platinum|salesref=<ref>{{cite web |url=http://fanofmusic.free.fr/index.php?m=Charts&s=Korea&p=KoreaData |title= Best Selling Foreign Album in Korea (1999-39/2008)|access-date=24 March 2014}}</ref>|salesamount=30,094|nocert=true}} |
||
{{certification Table Entry|region=United States|nocert=yes|salesamount=333,000|salesref=<ref name="billboard_haremtourII">{{cite |
{{certification Table Entry|region=United States|nocert=yes|salesamount=333,000|salesref=<ref name="billboard_haremtourII">{{cite magazine| last=Ault | first=Susanne | date=10 April 2004 | title=Brightman's Harem Tour A Welcome Surprise | magazine=Billboard | volume=116 | issue=15 | page=17 | issn= 0006-2510 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KhAEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA17 }}</ref>}} |
||
{{certification Table Bottom}} |
{{certification Table Bottom|nosales=true}} |
||
{{col-end}} |
{{col-end}} |
||
==Release history== |
==Release history== |
||
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" |
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" |
||
|+Release dates for ''Harem'' |
|||
|- |
|||
!scope="col"| Region |
!scope="col"| Region |
||
!scope="col"| Date |
!scope="col"| Date |
||
Line 299: | Line 297: | ||
|rowspan="1"|[[Music download|Digital download]] |
|rowspan="1"|[[Music download|Digital download]] |
||
|- |
|- |
||
|Germany<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.de/Harem-Sarah-Brightman/dp/B0000C0XQW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1358329862&sr=8-1| publisher=Amazon |
|Germany<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.de/Harem-Sarah-Brightman/dp/B0000C0XQW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1358329862&sr=8-1| publisher=Amazon | title= Amazon Germany – Sarah Brightman – Harem| language = de}}</ref> |
||
|6 June 2003 |
|6 June 2003 |
||
|rowspan="7"|CD |
|rowspan="7"|CD |
||
Line 318: | Line 316: | ||
|23 June 2003 |
|23 June 2003 |
||
|- |
|- |
||
|United Kingdom<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/Harem-Sarah-Brightman/dp/B0000C0XQW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1358357171&sr=8-1| publisher=Amazon |
|United Kingdom<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/Harem-Sarah-Brightman/dp/B0000C0XQW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1358357171&sr=8-1| publisher=Amazon | title= Amazon UK – Sarah Brightman – Harem}}</ref> |
||
|29 September 2003 |
|29 September 2003 |
||
|- |
|- |
||
Line 332: | Line 330: | ||
[[Category:2003 albums]] |
[[Category:2003 albums]] |
||
[[Category:Sarah Brightman albums]] |
[[Category:Sarah Brightman albums]] |
||
[[Category: |
[[Category:2000s concept albums]] |
||
[[Category:Albums produced by Frank Peterson]] |
[[Category:Albums produced by Frank Peterson]] |
||
[[Category:Classical crossover albums]] |
[[Category:Classical crossover albums]] |
Latest revision as of 03:04, 6 September 2024
Harem | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Studio album by | ||||
Released | 19 March 2003 | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 59:25 | |||
Label | Angel Records | |||
Producer | Frank Peterson | |||
Sarah Brightman chronology | ||||
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Singles from Harem | ||||
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Harem is the eighth studio album by English singer Sarah Brightman, released in the United States on 10 June 2003 through Angel Records.[2] The album continued the collaboration between Brightman and her longtime producer Frank Peterson.
Although it has an inclination towards her signature operatic performance, the album encompasses dance-oriented and uptempo styles in keeping with a celebratory motif. In contrast to the classical crossover music style that framed her previous releases, Harem showcases a wider range of genres, exploring World music-related styles, such as Arabic and Indian music.
Harem received generally positive reviews. The Arabian-flavoured album was commercially well received in certain territories. It became Brightman's first top 10 album ever in Japan and debuted in Canada at No. 7. It topped the US Top Classical Albums chart for seven consecutive weeks.[3] With Harem, Brightman became the only artist ever to have simultaneously held the number 1 spot in Billboard's Classical and Dance charts.[4]
Following the release of Harem, Brightman launched the Harem World Tour, followed by the Harem: a Desert Fantasy and The Harem World Tour: Live from Las Vegas DVDs.
Background
[edit]About the album, Brightman said: "I wanted to record an album with a Middle Eastern feel. It just felt like the right way to go, just a feeling at first, which is how I begin all my albums". "I have always loved that whole Arabian Nights feeling. Much of what we have created derives from my childhood reading. I was a C.S. Lewis fan. I like the idea of parallel worlds, faraway lands, mystery – I've traveled a huge amount over the years, which has influenced me immensely".
Harem was produced by Brightman's longtime collaborator/producer Frank Peterson. Jaz Coleman (Killing Joke) created the orchestrations in sumptuous layers of instrumental sound both Eastern and Western. The album features orchestral musicians from as far apart as Prague and Cairo, as well as instrumentalists from all over the world. Also joining Brightman are acclaimed classical violin Nigel Kennedy and singer Kadim Al Sahir, as well as Natacha Atlas, Ofra Haza and Shweta Shetty.[5]
Titling
[edit]Brightman's first taste of desert life came when she was a little girl, a dancer at the Elmhurst Ballet School. Her parents took her to Northern Africa on holiday. "I believe it was Tunisia", Brightman remembered, "I also traveled to Marrakech when I was younger. I've always liked the idea of the outsider in these areas. It's why I like Paul Bowles. It's also why I called the album Harem. It means forbidden place if you translate it. It's in your imagination, but you don't really go there. You maybe don't want to go there, but it's a mystical place. It's ancient. People have journeyed there and come back changed".[6]
Composition
[edit]Structure and style
[edit]Sarah Brightman's official website describes the album as "heady and intoxicating" and "without doubt, the most expansive and cinematic of Sarah's albums yet". Brightman and producer Frank Peterson combined their contemporary and dance-oriented sensibilities with the exotic instrumentation and melodic phrases of bygone eras. Harem is part of Brightman's continued experimentation with concept albums. It explores World music-related styles, such as Arabic and Indian music. According to Jerry McCulley of Amazon, "Brightman steps into that pan-cultural hall of mirrors here, wedding her fascination with the music and rhythms of the 'forbidden places' (the title's Arabic meaning) of the Middle East to her own oft ethereal vocal charms and rock-solid sense of drama".[7] Jason Shawhan of Artist Direct said "the entire record is built around a Middle Eastern theme, and many instruments native to that region flow through the mix of baroque pop, crunch-opera, eurodisco, and passionate balladry".[8] The editorial review of Barnes & Noble states that "the disc dips into worldbeat territory while showcasing the multi-million-selling artist's haunting voice".[9]
Songs and lyrics
[edit]The title track of Harem is an adaptation of "Canção do Mar," a classic from Portugal's fado tradition. Roxanne Seeman, Sarah Brightman and producer Frank Peterson wrote new lyrics for the melody, in which the singer hears a connection between Middle Eastern sounds and the ancient inspirations of fado. Brightman said, "I've loved this song for ages. In our version, I wanted it to have a contemporary, Arabian Nights feel – love, the desert, passion and fire but also with a dance feeling." The singer's imagination drove a new sound for some classic hits – ranging from "What a Wonderful World" and "Stranger in Paradise" – both bathed in the Eastern atmosphere that has inspired her. "Stranger in Paradise" circles back to Borodin's voluptuous Polovetsian Dances for its rich orchestral textures, cradling Brightman's crystalline singing. "What a Wonderful World" is an audacious reinvention of a well-traveled pop feel-good anthem – edgier this time, tinged with melancholy. "It's a Beautiful Day" features the singer's operatic voice; in this song Puccini's "Un Bel di" is artfully coalesced with driving synthesizer beats and Middle Eastern refrains. "The melody has this feeling of space, of mystery, of times gone by", Brightman said.
"What You Never Know" is the album's first Canadian single and the work of songwriter Stephan Moccio who wrote "A New Day Has Come", the title song for Céline Dion's album. Brightman said that her first meeting with him sparked the collaboration. "It was wonderful", she said. "He even knew the key I sound best in. He understood about simplicity, and I told him, 'I don't want you to have barriers – write something for me that you really feel.' This song has that 'inside' feeling. I heard it immediately". "The Journey Home" comes from Indian film composer A. R. Rahman's hit West End Bollywood musical Bombay Dreams, produced in London by Andrew Lloyd Webber. It was Lloyd Webber who brought the song to Brightman's attention. "I've been in love with Indian films, and I've known Rahman's music for a long time. When I heard the song I really, really liked it. It has a different interpretation here than in the musical, but it has the right feel". "Free" lends Harem the French connection Brightman wanted it to have. The song was actually written in German, about the cathartic end of a love affair. The lyrics were, to Brightman "amazing, but it was very difficult to make them fit in English". A French translation of the English version helped solve the problem, and the gentle commentary of Kennedy's violin gives the track an even greater intensity. The lyrics of "Mysterious Days" lend Harem a hipper, more modern sensibility in its evocation of American expatriates in Marrakech – Paul Bowles, in particular, and The Sheltering Sky. "It talks about the Casbah, working in the attic, the mix of the city and the Americans working there, and it has a dance aspect to it as well", Brightman said. "The War Is Over" embraced an end to the conflicts in love – eloquently brings Sarah Brightman together with the Iraqi singer Kadim Al Sahir, as well as the classical violin virtuoso Kennedy. "We asked Kadim to do this song with me because we knew of his voice", Brightman said.[5]
Brightman takes on an active writing role in this album and is credited with writing or co-writing the lyrics and/or music to Harem, "It's A Beautiful Day", "Free", "The War Is Over Now" and "You Take My Breath Away".
Release
[edit]Harem was physically released in Japan on 19 March 2003.[10] The album was digitally released worldwide by Angel Records on 28 April 2003.[11][12][13]
Singles
[edit]"Harem" was released as the album's lead single. The original version was "Canção do Mar", a song first performed by Fado singer Amália Rodrigues in 1955 and later popularised by Dulce Pontes. The Remixes EP was released on 4 November 2003.[14] It reached no. 1 on the US Billboard Dance/Club Play Songs chart.[15] "It's a Beautiful Day", the album's second international single, features an excerpt of "Un bel dì vedremo", from Puccini's opera Madama Butterfly. "What You Never Know" was released as the first single in Canada. The release (17 June 2003) included the French version "Tout ce que je sais".[16] The fourth and final overall single was "Free". It was released on 21 June 2004.[17][18] It ranked No. 3 on the US Billboard Dance/Club Play Songs chart.[19] "What A Wonderful World/Strangers in Paradise" was released as a double A-side single in East Asia.[20]
Promotion
[edit]Brightman began a promotional tour in support of the album, beginning on 23 April 2003 on the Japanese News Station news program of TV Asahi. She performed "Beautiful", "Question of Honour" and "Sarahbande". On 2 May, Brightman went to Taiwan for a 4-day stay in Taipei.[21] During the promotional tour in Germany (from 20 to 24 May), the singer performed "It’s a Beautiful Day" and "Time to Say Goodbye" on ARD's Hits, Hits, Hits 25 Years Superstars & Megahits special event. Brightman made an appearance at the Grand Prix Eurovision de la Chanson für Deutschland performing "It's a Beautiful Day" and "Harem".[22] Later on, she performed "Harem" at the Goldene Henne TV show on 29 September 2003. One month later, Brightman joined Schiller on stage to perform "The Smile", a track included in the Harem Tour CD. Finland was Brightman's final stop in Europe. She performed "Harem" and "It's a Beautiful Day" at the Suomen Neito beauty contest.[23] Promotional appearances took place in Canada at the end of May.[24] She performed Harem at Fashion Cares event, and also appeared at the Canada AM morning show.[25] The singer later performed at the Canadian concert series Live at the Rehearsal Hall during October.[26] Promotion in Canada continued in January 2004 with Brightman's Arabian-themed concert on CBC's Opening Night, which included British violinist Nigel Kennedy and Iraqi singer Kadim Al Sahir as guest performers.[27] Promotion in the United States started on 9 June. An autograph session in New York City was held and Brightman later appeared on The Sharon Osbourne Show.[28][29] Brightman went to Brazil's Hebe show twice to promote the album. The first time, in 2003, she performed "Harem", and during the second visit, in 2004, she sang "What a Wonderful World".[30] Brightman was a headlining performer at the 2004 Arabian Music Awards in Dubai, United Arab Emirates,[31] and in August, she performed "The War Is Over" with Kadim Al Sahir at the Beiteddine Festival in Beirut, Lebanon.[32] In Jordan, Brightman made a live guest appearance at the International Souk Ukaz cultural festival to sing her duet with Kadim Al Sahir.[33]
Harem – The Sarah Brightman Special was used as a promotional tool. It premiered at the New York Film Festival where later won the first prize for Best Musical Documentary and was later broadcast in the United States through PBS and in several other countries: Croatia (HRT), Turkey (CNBC-e), Finland (MTV3), Singapore (Arts Central TV), Canada (CBC).[20] It was later released on DVD as Harem – a Desert Fantasy.[34]
Tour
[edit]Beginning on 10 January 2004 and ending on 23 December 2004, the album's world tour spanned 119 stops, with sixty-eight in North America, twenty-four in Asia, twenty in Europe and five in Oceania. The Harem World Tour grossed $60 million and sold 800,000 tickets in total, $15 million and 225,000 sales of which came from the North American leg.[35]
Critical reception
[edit]Review scores | |
---|---|
Source | Rating |
Allmusic | [36] |
Artist Direct | [8] |
Jason Shawhan of Artist Direct gave the album 4+1⁄2 stars out of 5, saying that "Brightman and producer/long time collaborator Frank Peterson have outdone themselves with this effort, it's a beautiful piece of work worth the listening".[8] Aaron Latham of Allmusic gave the album 3 stars out of 5, writing that while "adopting a Middle Eastern flavor to enhance her blend of classical and new age pop, Sarah Brightman's Harem continues her experimentation with thematic discs that began with 1993's oceanic Dive. Brightman's Harem adventure is interesting enough to have listeners packed and ready to travel with her on another musical journey".[36]
Awards
[edit]At the 2004 Arabian Music Awards, Sarah Brightman received the award for Best International Female Artist. Also, her song "The War Is Over" with Iraqui singer Kadim Al Sahir won the award for the Best Collaboration.[37]
Chart performance
[edit]Harem became Brightman's first top 10 album ever in Japan selling 17,952 copies at its peak position of No. 4.[38][39] It was certified Gold there after selling over 100,000 copies. In Canada, the album debuted at the top 10. It entered the chart at No. 7 selling 6,300 copies in the first week.[40] It remained inside the top 10 in the following week landing at #8.[41] It later achieved Gold status for shipments of over 50,000 copies. The album reached the no. 1 spot on Turkey's D&R international sales chart.[42] It topped the Billboard Top Classical Albums chart for seven consecutive weeks and it spent 105 weeks on the chart.[43] In the United States, the album underperformed expectations, with sales tracked by Nielsen SoundScan figuring at approximately 333,000, or about one-third the total sales of Brightman's previous studio album, La Luna.[44]
Track listing
[edit]- All the songs were produced by Frank Peterson.
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|
1. | "Harem" | Sarah Brightman, Frederico de Brito, Frank Peterson, Roxanne Seeman, Ferrer Trindade | 5:45 |
2. | "What a Wonderful World" | Bob Thiele, George David Weiss | 3:40 |
3. | "It's a Beautiful Day" | Brightman, Giacomo Puccini, Christopher von Deylen, Peterson | 3:56 |
4. | "What You Never Know" | Stephan Moccio | 3:24 |
5. | "The Journey Home" | Don Black, A. R. Rahman | 4:56 |
6. | "Free" | Brightman, Sophie B. Hawkins, Matthias Meissner, Thomas Schwartz | 3:45 |
7. | "Mysterious Days" (feat. Ofra Haza) | Bezalel Aloni, Ofra Haza, Lukas Hilbert, Klaus Hirschburger, Peterson | 5:17 |
8. | "The War Is Over" (feat. Kadim Al Sahir and Nigel Kennedy) | Patrick Benzer, Kristian Draude, Brightman, Peterson | 5:15 |
9. | "Misere Mei" | Gregorio Allegri, Peterson | 0:54 |
10. | "Beautiful" | Nicola Hitchcock, Saul Freeman (Mandalay) | 4:35 |
11. | "Arabian Nights: Scimitar Moon / Voyage / Promise / Hamesha / Alone" (feat. Natacha Atlas) | Brightman, Draude, Peterson, Brian Johnson, Carsten Heussenmann, Shweta Shetty | 8:50 |
12. | "Stranger in Paradise" | Alexander Borodin, George Forrest, Robert Wright | 4:27 |
13. | "Until the End of Time" | Brightman, Lukas Hilbert, Peterson | 4:32 |
Total length: | 59:25 |
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|
14. | "You Take My Breath Away" | Brightman, Peterson | 6:50 |
Total length: | 66:14 |
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
14. | "Guéri De Toi" (French version of "Free") | 3:49 |
Total length: | 63:14 |
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
14. | "Tout Ce Que Je Sais" (French version of "What You Never Know") | 3:29 |
15. | "Guéri De Toi" (French version of "Free") | 3:49 |
Total length: | 66:44 |
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
14. | "Sarahbande" | 3:50 |
Total length: | 63:15 |
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
14. | "Sarahbande" | 3:50 |
15. | "Namida (When Firebirds Cry)" | 4:10 |
Total length: | 67:26 |
Charts, sales and certifications
[edit]
Weekly charts[edit]
|
Year-end charts[edit]
Sales and certifications[edit]
|
Release history
[edit]Region | Date | Format |
---|---|---|
Japan[10] | 19 March 2003 | CD |
Worldwide[11][12][13] | 28 April 2003 | Digital download |
Germany[73] | 6 June 2003 | CD |
Brazil, Italy, Portugal, Russia, South Africa, Spain[2] | 9 June 2003 | |
Argentina, Austria, Denmark, France, Mexico, United States[2] | 10 June 2003 | |
New Zealand[2] | 16 June 2003 | |
India[2] | 19 June 2003 | |
Turkey[2] | 23 June 2003 | |
United Kingdom[74] | 29 September 2003 |
References
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- ^ a b "Sarah Brightman – Harem". iTunes Store. January 2003.
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- ^ a b Latham, Aaron. Harem at AllMusic
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{{cite web}}
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