Amazing Grace

Karen Briggs | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 29, 1996)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Dimi Music Group
• ASIN: B000006MYZ
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #207,986 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Karen Briggs is "gospel violin" personified., December 11, 2001

By 

Bob Zeidler (Charlton, MA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Amazing Grace (Audio CD)

I may be typical in that my first knowledge of Ms. Briggs came by way of Yanni and his Acropolis megaconcert, which I had seen during a PBS Begathon some years back. But I don't hold that against the lady. And you shouldn't, either. It is very much worth a fiddle admirer's time and trouble to track this album down, since "Ms. Briggs doing Briggs" is different from, and quite a bit better than, "Ms. Briggs doing Yanni."

This album - as far as I know, her only "feature" album to date - showcases Ms. Briggs' talents very nicely. Her tone is secure, and richly resonant, her technique full of double and triple stops and nicely filagreed ornamentation. While her style is inflected with aspects of jazz and reggae, inter alia, the most accurate description would be that of "gospel violin."

The title song is worth the price of admission all by itself. But there's more: Some good gospel tunes ("Oh Happy Day," "When He Comes"), a ruminative and off-beat "Ocean Dream," Burt Bacharach's famous "What the World Needs Now," and, as a perfect ending to the album, a soaring rendition of "Over the Rainbow."

A little-known fact or two that might sway those fence-sitters amongst you (particularly those who, like me, hold Mark O'Connor in the highest esteem when it comes to fiddlers): Karen Briggs was among the large panoply of violinists and fiddlers who appeared in the recent film "Music of the Heart" (the inspirational story of Roberta Guasperi and her "Opus 118" program, The Harlem Center for Strings). And, when O'Connor performed his "The American Seasons" (available elsewhere at Amazon.com) recently in Avery Fisher Hall in New York, those Opus 118 kids were the guests of honor, performing "Amazing Grace" en masse with Mark.

It was very much a pleasant surprise for me when I ran across this album quite by accident (and scarfed it up in a heartbeat). Perhaps these thoughts of mine will have a similar effect on you, particularly if you are a "fiddle fanatic" looking to round out the range of styles and genres in your collection. Happy listening!

Bob Zeidler

14 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Lady In Red!, June 26, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Amazing Grace (Audio CD)

From the Apollo to the Acropolis, Karen Briggs is taking the violin to places it's never been and the reaction is ecstatic. Whether she's electrifying an audience at the famous Apollo in Harlem or mesmerizing an outdoor throng at the ancient Acropolis in Greece as a featured soloist touring with Yanni, Karen Briggs is unforgettable.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Truly Amazing Karen, May 13, 2006

By 

Sam Steward (Franklin, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Amazing Grace (Audio CD)

I loved the music on this CD. I found the music to be soothing to the soul. I saw Ms. Briggs perform when she was with Yanni and have been a big fan every since. I hope she continues to make beautiful music as I will continue to buy it.

"Sam"
Wisconsin