Beauty for Ashes

Crystal Lewis

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 2, 2002)
• Original Release Date: November 19, 1996
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Metro One
• ASIN: B000005OJ2
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (33 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #39,374 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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Track Listings

1. Beauty of the Cross

2. It's Heaven

3. People Get Ready...Jesus Is Comin'

4. Lion and the Lamb

5. Beauty for Ashes

6. In Return

7. God's Been Good to Me - Anne Barbour, John Barbour, Crystal Lewis, Alfie Silas

8. Seasons Change - Anne Barbour, Crystal Lewis

9. Over Me

10. Healing Oil

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

If there's such a thing as a contemporary Christian music diva, Crystal Lewis is it. Lewis always tailors her formidable vocals for the task--whether it be for an uptempo groove or for a soft and tender ballad. She shines on Beauty for Ashes, a 1996 release that features uplifting anthems such as "People Get Ready... Jesus Is Comin,'" a number one CCM hit, ballads such as "Lion and the Lamb" and "Seasons Change," and the funky groove of "God's Been Good to Me." "Healing Oil," the release's final track, is a pleasing testimonial that showcases the silken vocals of Lewis over a heavily programmed and keyboard-layered aural backdrop. It is no doubt Lewis's graceful mastering of diversity that explains her garnering a 1998 Dove Award for Female Vocalist of the Year. --Michael Lyttle

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars you must buy this album by Christian music's #1 voice/artist, March 1, 2000

By	DAVID (TX) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Beauty for Ashes (Audio CD)

If you are new to Christian music, you have to try "Beauty for Ashes" by Crystal Lewis. Christian music's best kept secret will without a doubt have an impact on you.

I have been a great admirer of Crystal Lewis since her first Spanish release "Recuerda".

The songs on "Beauty for Ashes" bring messages of hope and joy, especially in times of depression and sadness. There were, and still are, times in my life where i needed encouragement. "Seasons Change" & "Beauty for Ashes" are two songs I will never forget.

On another note, Lewis has received many accolades for her project.

"People Get Ready...Jesus is Comin'" was named the #1 song of 1996 by CCM & CRR and was nominated for "song of the year" at the 1998 Dove Awards. It recently made the Top 100 songs of the decade, a chart compiled by CCM radio, coming in at #4. "Beauty for Ashes", the song featuring Ron Kenoly, was awarded the 1997 ASCAP "song of the year" award and also made the TOP 100 songs of the decade, coming in at #58. The upbeat groove "God's Been Good to Me", along with "People Get Ready...", "Beauty for Ashes", & "The Beauty of the Cross", were all #1 hits on Christian radio. "Beauty for Ashes" also earned Crystal the 1998 Dove Award for "female vocalist of the year" and "best Spanish album" for her Spanish version of Beauty for Ashes, "La Belleza de la Cruz".

In all honesty, Crystal will become your favorite artist in no time!

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beauty for Ashes, June 29, 2003

By	Omagus (Austin, Texas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Beauty for Ashes (Audio CD)

This is Crystal Lewis' pinnacle album. On the albums before this one, Lewis had been attempting to be an R&B diva. Through no fault of her own, that was not a successful endeavor. She certainly had the voice for it, but she was not surrounded with music people who were well-versed in that musical genre (it wasn't until Out of Eden dropped LOVIN' THE DAY that a Christian artist treated R&B properly).

On BEAUTY FOR ASHES however, Crystal Lewis decided to head towards the middle of the road, and it paid great dividends. In 1996, no one in Contemporary Christian Music had a voice that could match Lewis' and combined with simple, yet strong messages of faith, she was able to release a masterpiece. "Beauty for Ashes" and "People Get Ready, Jesus is Coming" are probably the best-known tracks, the former combing her siren-like vocals with Ron Kenoly's gospel trained voice. My favorite, however, is probably "God's Been Good to Me" because of its funkier and more upbeat sound.

In my opinion, Crystal Lewis has not been able to match this album with any of her later releases, but that's okay. She's changed and matured to a different sound, but I'll always have BEAUTY FOR ASHES.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars beauty for ashes is def. one you cant put down., January 9, 2000

By	Elizabeth (lancaster,pa) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Beauty for Ashes (Audio CD)

crystal lewis's track "beauty for ashes" is the best c.d. I ever purchased. the minute that I listened to her, I felt a tremendous positive energy running through me.her songs uplift the spirit of god and tell to all how great god really is! with her beautiful voice, and the lyrics that she speaks, I would def. suggest to anybody who is looking for a great christian artist, to pick up this track and listen to her music. I guarantee the second that you listen to her, and her music, you will never be able to get enough of it!