Customer Reviews

Back to Love

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I just love the way Ms Nielsen Chapman sings. There -- I got the "love" in right off the bat. This album is all about LOVE, with three songs in a row featuring the following titles: "How We Love," "I Need You Love," and "More Than Love." And that's only 3 of 5 songs with love in the title, plus the album title. No problem with that; just an observation.

Back to Beth's singing. She just has a marvel of a voice that's at once strong and assured as well as sweet and lovely. (Oops, "love" crept in there again.) Her voice reminds me of Jennifer Warnes', which is great since Ms Warnes is also one of my favorite singers. While Beth has probably gotten more fame as a songwriter than for singing her own material, the Back To Love album shows that she deserves wide acclaim on her own too. For me, the very best tunes are some slow ballads such as "How We Love" and "I'll Give My Heart." Those songs alone are worth the price of admission, but "Even As It All Goes By" and "Peace" (co-written with Michael McDonald!) are pretty swell too.

The musicians accompanying Ms N-C on Back to Love are a solid group of studio vets, and she produced the album superbly herself. The result is a warm yet balanced sound that suits the songs very well. In sum, this is yet another really good record from this artist. My only frustration was with the fact that it came out in the UK several months ahead of its US release. Shame on those responsible over here!

Beth Nielsen Chapman has been a strong musical influence for me since her very first CD almost 20 years ago. Back to love is her very own unique celebration of who she is in every way. Having met Beth right before her CD released, I learned for myself why her music was such an influence. If you appreciate great songwriting, acoustics, and piano, you will be celebrating along with all of her loyal and faithful fans. Not only is her gift of music a celebration of song, but it also a celebration of her own life and survivorship. Don't miss this one, it will bring you joy. Thank you Beth for sharing your gift!

I have all of BNC's cds. I discovered "Sand and Water" at a very difficult time in my life. It was and still is my favorite cd of all time. I love music and have over 1000 cds, yet I always return to it. Heartfelt lyrics that mean so much.
"Back to Love" has great lyrics and beautiful singing but in my opinion is over produced. Too many strings, hand clapping and background orchestration. I think it takes a way from the songs. I would prefer to have the same songs with just BNC playing the guitar and the piano.

Since I've been tracking my personal top ten for over a decade, Beth Nielsen Chapman has six #1 songs, which means she has become one of my very favorites. I've had this disc for over a year. The gorgeous "Peace" has been jamming my changer this autumn. Written with Doobie Brother Michael McDonald, it has such a stunning melody; and Beth's vocal is sublime, "Oh wondrous child of whom the angels sing; Know my joy, feel my suffering; Shining star make this love you bring so bright that I may believe." "I Need You Love" also zoomed to the top of my chart with its lovely refrain like a bubbly spring, "Need you like an arrow needs the center of a circle as it flies." "I Can See Me Loving You" is a joyful storm that sets your toe to tapping with a bit of a country/bluegrass flavor thanks to co-writer Darrell Scott, "I can see me loving you, see you loving me in each moment shining through all eternity." "More Than Love" & "I'll Give My Heart" are also delicious. So on this Thanksgiving morning as the house is quiet with my family sleeping, Beth's music which seems to bubble from an underground spring and emerges pure & refreshing and is one of my blessings. Enjoy!

If there is anyone who has not heard Beth Nielsen Chapman's songs or heard her sing them, treat yourself and buy at least one of her CDs. She is an extraordinarily talented song writer and singer. I discovered her on a Neal Diamond CD, Tennessee Moon, ordered one of her CDs and was hooked. I think I now have all of them and I play them regularly. This would be a good one to start your collection.