Customer Reviews

State of Grace

5 star:		(21)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Paul Schwartz, the creator of Aria and Aria 2, has put together yet another masterpiece, this time reaching up into the spiritual realm of heaven. Its sheer brilliance is hypnotic yet religious at the same moment.... I'm a very optimistic person who doesn't put complete faith in anything unless witnessed before the naked eye. But upon each listen of State Of Grace it almost convinces me to yield all guards and simply believe in this greater power, despite my constant doubt. That's how poignant this piece of music is. Step into the cathedral and become a believer.... Lisbeth Scott's lush, airy notes accompanied by light, graceful ambience and classical arrangments (mainly being violin or piano) give off a smooth relaxing elixir of mind trancing ease. Veni Redemptor Gentium, Veni Creators Spiritus, and Angelica are probably the best songs on here, that and the hidden track Miserere which has more of a jazzy feel rather than a choral feel like the original. I also love the modern twist that Schwartz does on Amazing Grace (though many seem to disagree).... The only upbeat song on here, Simple Gifts, is probably the worst song, aside from my likings of the opening celtic drum pipes. The dance swirl just seems too awkward beside this glorious opus.

I suggest sleeping to this cd, for it will snooze you right into dreamland. I recommend this cd, not to religious based seekers, but to anyone looking for something more on the lines of calm tranquility. All in all this is a worthy buy.

I already wrote a review for this back in 2001. I just wish I would have given it 5 instead of 4 stars. Listening to State Of Grace is a beautiful, uplifting experience that exults the spirit into higher places, and the multi-talented Paul Schwartz has quickly become one of my all-time favorite musicians. He composes and orchestrates all the music while Lisbeth Scott's angelic voice glides like softly felt wings that radiates a deep sense of majesty over the ambient beats and the glorious strings and church choirs that sing their heavenly praises to the mighty forces that we must first believe in order to perceive. But fear not. You don't have to be religious to enjoy this. Just open your mind and, most importantly, your heart and let it wash over you... That's all I ask.

This is now one of my top 20 most cherished albums and that's saying a lot since I currently own over 500 cds!

I stumbled upon this CD at my library and was enchanted by the angel on the cover so I checked it out last week. It is an amazing, soothing, calming, meditative, soul-stirring rendition of music. The voices on the songs are lyrical, haunting and mesmerizing.

"Be Still My Soul" is like a musical tranquilizer, a heartfelt, beautiful melody that brings tears to my eyes every time I listen to it. It makes me feel as if I'm safely enfolded in God's wings and listening to His heart beating just for me.

I'm eager to find more music like this. I highly recommend this if you love soothing, uplifting music.

A compelling collection of compositions by innovative composer and keyboardist Paul Schwartz. The mood of the album varies, but minor keys predominate and a mysterious, brooding reflectiveness pervades many of the selection to good effect. Christian lyrics in both Latin and English are sung by a soloist, accompanied by programmed groove beats and a lush orchestra of synthesized sound. Clear-voiced Lisbeth Scott does a nice job of emulating a boy soprano for the Latin numbers, the Joyful Company of Singers provides a full, if muted, choral sound in "Misere", and violinist Gavin Wright offers soaring descants and sweet leads on several numbers. But it is composer Schwartz who gives distinctive voice to this music with his multilayered programming. He is at his best in sweeping tracks like "Veni Redemptor Gentium", the choral "Misere", the symphonic "Auguries of Innocence, Part 2" and the delicately brooding "Angelica". Songs I could have done without, however, are "Amazing Grace" and "Simple Gifts", tunes that do not lend themselves to the groove beat phenomenon. While that seems to work well for plainchant and some symphonic and operatic selections, these already-metered folk songs would have been better off left in their traditional state. Nonetheless, "State of Grace" is a good listen--evocative, stirring, and generally well-matched in its fusions. If you like religious plainchant fused with modern musical elements, you might also enjoy "Vision: The Music of Hildegard of Bingen" by Richard Souther, Libera's self-titled debut album, and anything by Enigma.

This is the type of CD that one happens upon and cherishes forever. Words cannot describe the way the haunting beauty of most of the songs on this CD. My personal favorite is Misere, which rich harmonic choral background evokes a sense of peace and tranquility that washes over you and stays with you throughout listening to the rest of the tracks. I happened upon this CD while on a road trip to the Southwestern US, and it served as a thought-provoking soundtrack while driving through places such as Zion National Park, Death Valley and Yosemite. I believe that it actually enhanced the beauty and awe that I felt when driving past the magnificent, monolithic creations of nature. ...We all list it as our favorite CD- I give it all of our thumbs up!

I recently found a copy of this album on one of my excursions to my favorite record store. I have been awfully curious to hear this album since I am also a big fan of classical/pop music. Plus the cd artwork was very intriguing and very Renaissance-like too. So I immediately fell in love with "State of Grace" the very second I put the cd into my stereo. I was fortunate to have found this cd... I found Lisbeth Scott's vocals very soothing and comforting to listen to, especially this morning when I was drinking coffee from a local coffee shop. I particularly enjoyed the stunning cover of "Amazing Grace". "Amazing Grace" has always been a beautiful song but it is even more beautiful with Lisbeth Scott singing the lyrics. I also really enjoyed track #3 "Miserere" and Auguries of Innocence part 2". "Be Still My Soul" is a stunning masterpiece. The lyrics really touched my soul. I found the song really soothing to listen to. Part of the credit goes to Lisbeth's restrained vocals and the breathtaking lyrics. It has been awhile since I have heard an album as beautiful as "State of Grace" it is awonderful album. I loved the album artwork. It has that Renaissance quality that I have always loved. I'm so glad that I came across this cd by chance. It is simply stunning. If there was one track that didn't really float my boat was the last track which kinda makes me drowsy, especially when I listen to the cd at the office. Overall I loved the cd. I haven't been able to stop playing it non-stop since this past weekend.

State of Grace is an ambitious project. However, the CD succeeds admirably in exuding grace. One is reminded of angels or heavenly choruses when listening to this CD. It is mostly synthesized orchestra. Schwartz has combined oboe, violin, piano and string quartet with the synth to paint a beautiful texture of grace. However, it is the use of voice that makes this project shine. Schwartz uses a single vocalist and a choir as instruments more than vocals. The exception is one of the best renditions of "Amazing Grace" that I have ever heard. Schwartz's soundtrack and orchestral background is evident throughout and is what makes this CD really work. Great music for reducing stress or just putting the mind and soul in a higher plane.

This immensely appealing mixture of sacred or spiritually inspired music with a variety of more modern rhythmic figures and accompaniments is compelling, original, and haunting. The textures of sound created through the combination of orchestrations, vocal performances, and rhythmic underpinnings hold the ear hypnotically. Paul Schwartz clearly has a remarkable melodic gift as a composer, while Lisbeth Scott's vocals are fresh, unaffected, and emotionally direct. The Celtic take on the Shaker hymn, "Simple Gifts," is a particular standout, as is the transporting original instrumental title cut. But the whole album is a joy to listen to, and certainly sent this listener into his own state of grace.

I really love Paul's music. So what I have to say is somewhat prejudiced by that.

Lisbeth Scott's voice is odd to describe; each of her renditions sounds different, so she doesn't have only one way of singing. As Paul says on the cover, she sings with her heart. Especially on track seven, "Be Still My Soul", she tugs at my heart strings. The first time I heard it, I thought "That girl is singing with her heart and soul"; then I noticed how imperfect her voice is; but by the time it was done, I was back to noticing only the heartfelt quality of the whole song. Paul accompanies on the piano, and you can tell the two of them are in spiritual/emotional synch. Repeated listenings only further endeared "Be Still My Soul": it forms the centerpiece of State of Grace: by not being perfect, Lisbeth's voice (close to tears) links me with another person who is feeling (and expressing) her spiritual longings. Instead of a polished-perfect voice, hers is imaginable as that of anyone you could already know or meet anywhere; but the passionate quality is remarkable, as though this is the only time this ordinary person could really pull off such a song. (Of course, that is the magic of Lisbeth's voice, to me: she obviously sings very well anytime she chooses to, but her voice is extremely natural, sounding unrehearsed; and that is a special sort of magic in itself.)

The other tracks are all good. Especially five and six, instrumentals on the same theme, which are so enveloping emotionally to me, that they would be my choice of my personal theme music, if my life were ever put to film :)

When I heard this CD it took me somewhere back into an ancient place within myself--a place where beauty and all knowledge converge. In a peaceful, almost haunting type of way the melodies and chanting in the CD stirred a basic, primal spirit at the center of myself--that inner Place we all possess and when fortunate, tap into briefly for a glimpse of a Light half forgotton. The best CD I've heard in years.