Customer Reviews

Prism: Human Family Songbook

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

 

 

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.

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!

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.

I first heard a song by her when a pair of skaters in the Olympics danced to "The Color of Roses". Had to find out who sang it, she writes a lot of her own songs, love her music, love her voice, can't wait for her to do a Christmas CD.

Even though she is not that well known, I have every CD she has made, usually have to buy them off Amazon as she is not found in just any store, although I think she would be if more people knew about her. She's not about showmanship and being a well-known star. She is about loving to write, loving to sing, words and songs are heartfelt and compelling. Give a few of her CD;s a try. Start with Deeper Still or Sand and Water, or the best of CD to get a variety. This one is songs representing most widely known world religions, including one of Nelson Mandela's favorites. Worth owning unless you just can't do the religious thing, and if not then try one of the others.

Disc One of this 2 CD release is as strong a set of songs as Beth has ever done. Get this CD if you're a fan. You won't be disappointed.

I once wrote a fan letter to Beth Nielsen Chapman and got a signed photograph of her in return. Now, apparently, too many hungry hearts are reaching and so it's harder to connect her with the praise she so richly deserves, other than to buy her CDs and let them penetrate us. The trajectory of consciousness is ever outward. It seemed impossible that Beth could touch us more intimately than she did with "Sand and Water" and yet "Deeper Still" was just what its title implied. And I remember travelling the mountains of northern Arizona while her "Hymns" continued the thread of revelation, begun in the crucible of her personal grief, that led me beside the still waters. Now, "Prism:The Human Family Songbook" seems to complete the work, so essential, so relevant, of bringing the human spirit into the presence of a God, made all the more majestic by His many aspects, manifestations, garments and languages. Beth's message is always the same: that goodness and mercy shall follow us all the days of our lives. I can't keep a copy of "Prism" for giving it away at every turn and I stand surrendered to whatever realm of spirit Beth may next wish to explore and share with us.

Although I didn't receive this item by Dec. 24th for the following day as promised, I did receive it and would consider purchasing from them again.