Customer Reviews

Heaven & Earth: A Tapestry of Worship

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Shelly Tumes, Jennifer Knapp, Rebecca St. James, Nicole Nordeman, and Margaret Becker may be among the most diverse -- and best -- Lady vocalists around today. Shelly's vocals are ethereal and scrumptious. Jennifer's are down-to-earth and honest. Nicole is understatedly elegent. Rebecca is energetic, but capable of doing a mighty fine ballad (see "As We Wait"). Becker is 'da BOMB! Each is a 5-star. Together, I would rate them 25 stars! Their vocals are enhanced rather than obscured by the majestic and sometimes intense though understated orchestrations. Generally, I am not overly fond of compilation albums. I am WILD about this one! Don't delay! Purchase TODAY!

When I first heard this album would be released on November 2 (my birthday), I was thrilled! I will admit the only reason I was thrilled is because Margaret Becker sings two songs on this album. I am even more excited to know that Margaret's newest album, "What Kind of Love," will be released on November 16th, but I thought, "Hey, I'll actually get to hear something new from Margaret on my special day!" So, despite a fairly lukewarm review of this album in the November issue of CCM magazine, I took some birthday money and bought the album (I still have enough for Margaret's new release, too!) Each of these women are excellent artists and vocalists. However, I would not have put them together in the same album. Contrary to the opinion of the CCM reviewer (November 1999)this is not a "seamless" tapestry of worship, nor would I say that these ladies sound so much alike that a novice listener would be unable to distinguish between them. Each artist's unique vocal quality is capitalized in every song, which is why purchasing this album is a good way to get to know these mostly new artists. The first four songs flow beautifully, even dreamily, from one to the next. Then Rebecca St. James' "The River" shocks the listener by leaving the dreamy state behind for an up-tempo-beat. The effect of being snapped from such a dreamy state of the first four songs felt entirely like diving into an ice cold river! Margaret's "Christ Before Me," while the album's most brilliant song in my unbiased opinion, had the exact same effect. I had to listen to the album a couple times to appreciate each song individually, but I am disappointed. While I can easily appreciate each song separately, the effect I was looking for when purchasing this album was a "seamlessness" of worship. If you are looking for seamless worship, purchase the Coram Deo albums, and "Prayers and Worship" (featuring Rebecca St. James) from Forefront. As for me, I will include "Heaven and Earth" in my c.d. player and shuffle it with other worshipful albums.

I bought this because a fan of Jennifer Knapp but didn't know anything about the other artists. Though I was surprised at how mellow the album is overall, it's a lovely collection of beautiful music by very talented women. Some Celtic influence, sounding a little like Lorena McKennett at times.

This cd didn't get a lot of notice when it came out, despite the fact that it has 5 of the best female singers in Christian music. Each song is in and of itself an incredible worship song, but put it all together as one unit and it's becomes a worship EXPERIENCE. The best way to listen to this is beginning to end, as it was put together in such a manner that it flows beautifully. You won't find another cd like this (musically, "Streams" is close, but lyrically it can't touch it). You will NOT be disappointed with this one.

I heard this album playing at Morgan's back when it first came out but I didn't buy it right away. I bought it in 2001 I think, I had been intending to buy it because the music sounded beautiful. Well, it seemed to cost more than I'd usually pay for a CD but I don't regret it. In fact, it is well worth every penny. A beautiful compilation of worship music. I had fallen in love with Rebecca St. James's song "As We Wait" (the final track on the album) beacuse I heard it on the radio. This music is amazing. Songs like "River Of Life" (Rebecca StJames) and "Ocean Of Mercy" (Jennifer Knapp) make you feel like you're floating on water in a river of God's love. The opening track by Michelle Tumes (a delightful, talented singer/songwriter) ushers you into God's presence. Also included is Nichole Nordeman's sweet voice, and Margaret Becker's gut-wrenching vocals...a wonderful collection that you won't regret, so buy it!

This is an awesome album! I don't know how these women were selected to sing the songs, but whoever picked them knew what they were doing. Not one bad track on the album! The singing, music, arrangments are beautiful and truly inspired. I highly recommend this album.

I bought this CD when it came out (1999) for Michelle Tumes & Jennifer Knapp. Several years later and I'm still listening. Each song is beautifuly woven together (better some times that the City on a Hill series) and reflect the glory of God through the voices, melodies, images, movement of the listener to worship. I rediscover this CD in challenging times in my live. It helps me resettle in the peace, healing, and joy found in Jesus. Buy this CD!!! It will introduce you to several powerful women vocalists and bring joy to your heart.

This project says on the back of the CD, "Some of Christian music's most popular female voices join together in this collection of contemporary worship songs." This project is what I expected "Women of Faith" to be, a combination of known artists.

On the positive side, I will say that this is a nice worship album. There are good songs on the tape, soothing, and well written. My favorites were "For The Glory Of Your Name", "Whisper My Name", "River Of Life", "Heaven & Earth", and "Christ Before Me".

On the negative side, I think the women were under-used. I was hoping, as a new comer to Michelle Tumes and Jennifer Knapp, to get a feel for their music, but I didn't. The above quote is correct that these women are popular for their vocals, but what is ignored is that these women are also gifted songwriters in their own right, which has been passed by. The producer, John Hartley, did the lion's share of the composing. Rebecca St. James was a co-writer on the first song she sang, "River Of Life", and Margaret Becker helped with "In Your Love" (sung by Nichole Nordeman), but this is not a good representation of these ladies' talents.

If you like female vocalists and want a beautiful worship project, then buy this project, don't pass go, don't collect $200. However, if you are considering this as a fan of one of the singers or are wanting to become more familiar with some of their music, this is not the project to get.

There is not much else to say other than this album is truly awesome. You don't get sick of it and each time you listen to it you hear something else from God - just brilliant.

There is not much else to say other than this album is truly awesome. You don't get sick of it and each time you listen to it you hear something else from God - just brilliant.