Prism: Human Family Songbook

Beth Nielsen Chapman | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 5, 2008)
• Original Release Date: 2008
• Number of Discs: 2
• Label: BNC Records
• ASIN: B000VEA2QW
• Also Available in: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #149,826 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Building on Hymns, Beth Nielsen Chapman's 2004 collection of Catholic praises sung mostly in Latin, the even more ambitious, two-disc Prism celebrates a plethora of faiths from around the world. Recorded over a 10-year span, the album was largely inspired by Archbishop Desmond Tutu’s concept of a common humanity. The first set features both original and traditional songs in English, stretching the spiritual chanteuse in some surprising ways (the hip-hop-leaning "My Religion"). If some songs veer waywardly into Kenny Loggins with too much cheer and upbeat messaging, Chapman's extraordinary vocal purity, control, and pinpoint intonation still often thrill. The stirring "For the Beauty of the Earth," written in 1864, may just bring listeners to their knees. And "Thank You My Lord," which Chapman co-wrote with the great Hal David, proves that pop-ified contemporary Christian music can be deep, profound, and dignified. Disc Two--on which Chapman sings and chants and in an astonishing nine languages, including Farsi, Welsh, and Hebrew)--is by turns somberly pretty and drivingly hypnotic, but it’s also better appreciated melodically and rhythmically than with devout feeling. Chapman may have done better to integrate these performances, especially the Zulu hymn "Masibulele Ku Jesu," on which she joins with the Soweto a cappella group No Limits. However, whether tackling a Negro spiritual, a Navajo chant, or Buddhist, Muslim, or Sufi works, Chapman presents herself as a moving unifier in the great chain of human connection. --Alanna Nash

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Simply Stunning!, July 13, 2008

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Hedwig of NC "Hedwig" (North Carolina Coast) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Prism: Human Family Songbook (Audio CD)

I'm a huge fan of Beth's "Sand and Water" album but haven't checked out any of her other albums until a friend mentioned that I should listen to this one. Simply stunning! Her voice is clear, beautiful, and soulful, and she does all of these hymns/songs/chants justice, in fact, she raises them to a whole new level. I'm grateful to my friend who recommended it.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Lord of All, July 13, 2008

By 

Lee Armstrong (Winterville, NC United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Prism: Human Family Songbook (Audio CD)

Chapman's Hymns CD explored songs from the Catholic tradition in which she was raised. Beth Nielsen Chapman's new self-released double CD explores religion and love of God from many world religions. On the opener "God Is In" she sets out the premise of a prism, colors separate, yet united. I've condensed her lyric a bit to give the idea of the scope of her perspective, "God is in the Christian house; God is in the Jewish home; God is in Muslim; God is in the Hindu way; God is in those dancing pagans; God is in the Vatican; Quaker meeting; Rastaman; God is in the flowing Tao; God is in the atheist and all those things that don't exist." "My Religion" places religious sentiment to a rap beat with Atoaji Radellant's duet vocals. While I'm not a huge rap fan myself, the track works well. The emphasis throughout this disc is variety; so there are many different musical styles.

Beth's song "Prayers of an Atheist" has the soaring melody that fans of her pop albums will relish as her vocals soar, "One human family across the world." "That Mystery" is an excellent track with Tripp Dudley's sprite-filled percussion, "My mouth says, 'Never,' but my soul says, 'Now.' I've got a portable devil & a sacred cow." Beth sings the lovely Christian hymn "For the Beauty of the Earth" written in 1864, "Lord of all to Thee we raise this our hymn of grateful praise." Chapman writes with Kimmie Rhodes whose CD Rich from the Journey is in my collection to produce "Shine All Your Light," "We sing our hearts to You; Our song of gratitude; The voice of every child, how sweet the sound." Jean Sibelius' 1752 "Be Still My Soul" is glorious with Chapman's lovely vocals, piano, and string flourishes, "Through every change, his faithful light remains." "War cannot harm you; Hunger can't starve you; Sin cannot shame you; Guilt cannot blame you," Chapman sings on the lovely Gary Nicholson-penned track "Choose Love." Hal David, most frequently known as Burt Bacharach's lyricist, writes with Chapman to produce the lovely "Thank You My Lord," "Thank you my Lord for the rivers that flow; There'd be nothing I know without you. For the music & the songs that I sing; For the laughter & the joy that You bring; For the mountains that You gave me to climb, holding my hand all the time." It's a lovely song. The first disc concludes with Beth's "This Life That's Lent to You."

The second disc takes us into an international religious travelogue. "Yemaya" percolates with Cuban rhythms from the religion of Santeria is a song from slaves thanking the Almighty for being alive after crossing the ocean. "Shalom Aleichem" from the Hebrew faith is lovely devotional music. "Hymn to Tara" is a Tibetan chant while "Veni Creator Spiritus" is a Gregorian chant. "Masibulele Ku Jesu," recorded in South Africa, is a Zulu hymn. "Bhavani" comes from the Hindu tradition while "In Yonder Valley" is a Shaker hymn. "Durrow" comes from Welsh music while "Bad-e Saba" is sung in Farsi. The set concludes with "Navajo Chant."

There is a nice article about the project in the August/September issue of "Dirty Linen" Folk & World Music magazine. Beth talks about how this project spanned many years. She completed it with encouragement from Desmond Tutu. This is a lovely work, a statement of faith, that shows God belongs to all men and women of all faiths, even to those of little faith. Chapman's musicianship is breathtaking and passionate. Bravo!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A creative twist, January 23, 2009

By 

M. Carlisle "Look & Listen" (Deep in the Heart of Texas) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Prism: Human Family Songbook (Audio CD)

I've enjoyed the music and voice of Beth Neilson Chapman for many years and I always look forward to new releases.

This album is not for everyone.

It's a spiritual journey, and touches seemingly every religion. From her Catholic upbringin to religions of the far east to Native Americans.

This is not my favorite BNC album, but it certainly shows how dynamic a singer she can be, as well as how moving her lyrics can be.