Crystal Clear

Jaci Velasquez | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 5, 2000)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B00004XSTX
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (62 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #342,328 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Jaci Velasquez already has traveled a road decorated with Dove awards, record-breaking sales, and millions of fans. And Crystal Clear is a praiseworthy follow-up to such success. Once again, Jaci's singing provides the fuel for a moving blend of inspiring pop and Latin-influenced music. She lets her talent soar without appearing too showy, and her rich voice resonates as it leaps and floats through these songs, in which she proclaims her undivided dedication to Christ and reminds us of His all-encompassing dedication to us. This amazing production captures each varying mood with a simplicity that unites purity and maturity. Check out the Latin party-swing of "Escúchame," the ethereal rhythms and cloud-like vocals of "Crystal Clear," or the upbeat dance-pop of "Every Time I Fall" to catch a glimpse. --Israel Button

From CCM Magazine -- Subscribe Now!

After two English albums, a Latin record and two decades on earth, Jaci Velasquez is one of Christian music's brightest stars-and there's no visible ceiling for how high her rocket ship will travel.

Crystal Clear should reinforce this trend. God-focused and full of emotion, this effort also showcases more of Velasquez' Latin roots than on previous English recordings, with many of its 11 songs colored by south-of-the-border rhythms and George Cocchini's excellent Spanish-style guitar.

A great example is the leadoff track, "Escuchame" ("Listen to Me")-a celebratory-sounding tune Velasquez co-wrote with producer Mark Heimermann-that mixes Santana sensibilities with subtle R&B vocal elements. But it's most interesting characteristic is the juxtaposition of the rousing instrumentation against Velasquez' sobering message to a younger woman, warning her to slow down and trust in God.

If Velasquez triumphs at most turns with her unique vocal interpretations, she stumbles a bit with the dance-oriented "Every Time I Fall"; its verses sound-vocally and instrumentally-too much like the chorus to Jennifer Lopez' recent hit, "If You Had My Love." That's an unfortunate oversight because while Velasquez came on the music scene way before Lopez and is a superior singer, general market comparisons are inevitable. "You Don't Miss a Thing," though, is a much better dance track.

And while Velasquez, not surprisingly, is all over the bevy of ballads on Crystal Clear, the best track for my moola is an offbeat Velasquez/Heimermann collaboration, "You're Not There." With its introspective lyrics on God's presence, minor-key melody, majestic chorus, orchestral elements and guitars that recall the Cure (yup, the Cure), this is a brave step off the sidewalk. Velasquez should fill her future records with more of this risky stuff. -- Dave Urbanski (c) 2000 CCM Communications, Inc.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars It's Crystal Clear I'm Falling for Jaci, September 19, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Crystal Clear (Audio CD)

The latest release from Jaci Velasquez continues to stay true to her roots in Christian music but she has that pop inflection that makes her appeal to a wider audience. I suppose I am that wider audience since I am not necessarily a big fan of Christian music. I fell in love with Jaci because of Llegar a Ti, her Spanish language album. It has great Latin dance songs and moving ballads and that voice. That wonderful, "crystal clear" voice. In an age where female singers seem to show off their vocal acrobatics (see Celine Dion, Christina Aguilera, etc.) Jaci's voice just flows naturally. There is no strain or struggle. It's truly a pure voice and a great instrument sorely missed from music today. Also Jaci appeals because of the messages in her music. How can one not be moved by You're Not There? It's message rings so true. We think of God being this distant figure when in reality he's inside of us always. It's truly a remarkable song. Check out You Don't Miss a Thing for the best uptempo track on the album. It's a dance song. It's really cool!!! Jaci's vocal talents are best displayed in Imagine Me Without You, Come as You Are, and the exquisite Just a Prayer Away.

Jaci's music transcends the label Christian music. Buy Crystal Clear if you want to be inspired by wonderful lyrics and an amazing voice.

I just hope we see another Spanish language album. Jaci won't abandon her Christian music roots for mainstream success. Let's hope she doesn't abandon her Latin roots either. Somehow I doubt she will!!

P.S. Jaci please stick with Rudy Perez. He is a great song writer and producer. The best songs on Crystal Clear are Rudy Perez songs.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Jaci Does it again!!, September 7, 2000

By 

David Myers (Lancaster, Pennsylvania) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Crystal Clear (Audio CD)

This album was totally awesome. Her voice is just incredible. From the rockin' upbeat 'Every Time I Fall', to the enchanted-sounding title track, 'Crystal Clear', and the Beautifully soft 'Just a Prayer Away', Jaci always puts it Crystal Clear that she is a Christian and she lives for the living God. This album is incredible because she was going through a lot when she was recording and it shows a lot of the emotions of the last year for her. I definitely recommend this album, it is a mature version of Jaci Velasquez in the most dedicated-to-music form I have ever seen her.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Jaci V Has Done It Again!!, October 17, 2002

By 

"lilorrico" (CA,USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Crystal Clear (Audio CD)

Crystal Clear is the best CD of Jaci V's Ive ever had! It has very cool and beautiful songs in it!Id give this baby a 5 star! The Albums' great!You just wanna play the songs over and over again!I suggest that you buy this CD!