Hymns | Beth Nielsen Chapman | Hymns; Beth Nielsen Chapman

Hymns | Beth Nielsen Chapman | It's About Time

popular music:

Hymns

	Hymns Beth Nielsen Chapman Emergent, 2004 average customer review:based on 28 reviews view larger image
	for more information click here

highly recommended

Hymns; Beth Nielsen Chapman

I listened to an interview with Beth on NPR just the other day describing and playing cuts from her new CD, Hymns. I had to stop the car and pull over. I had never heard hymns like this sung in this heartfelt form. I cried. I couldn't help it. Stunningly beautiful. The ressurection of these pre-Vatican II Latin hymns (something unfamiliar to me) is sung in a rich, clean and beautiful form that I doubt was ever heard when 'popular' back then.

It's About Time

I was listening to NPR one evening and heard the interview with Beth Chapman. I was delighted to hear the "old" songs of the Catholic Church presented in a contemporary, sophisticated, yet respectful manner. That night I immediately logged on to Amazon and ordered enough for my choir. They all enjoyed the music, and, knowing I've been trying to get them to sing more Latin at Mass, found the music accessible. As a church musician, I've grown weary of the watered-down Kum-Ba-Yah approach the Catholic Church has moved into. Perhaps more people will see that the "old" music is everlasting for a reason.

for more information click here

You can almost smell the incense.

Joni Mitchell sang "Don't it always seem to go, you don't know what you got till it's gone." That is what occurred to me when I listened to this disc. Sometime after Vatican II these classic melodies were shelved in favor of music that was considered more... accessible. The beauty of these hymns is timeless and sung by the bell-like voice of Beth Nielsen Chapman evokes a time when the Catholic Church and its rituals held a sense of mystery and awe.

Additionally, Chapman contributes a new song of her own, "Hymn to Mary" that is so beautiful and reverent that one might conclude she was born a few centuries too late.

for more information click here

Insightful and Contemplative

Beth Nielsen Chapman has produced an amazing album sung mostly in Latin representing the "top 40" hits of her catholic childhood home. She says she's found these songs to be "centering" as have I. The melodies are traditional medieval songs (except one composed by the artist) accompanied mostly by voice harmonies and an occasional accoustical instrument. The lack of overriding instruments really allows the beauty of the voices to shine.

Beth is very introspective and sings completely from the heart. It's a powerful but quiet album. Not meant to be listened to when a lot of distractions are around. This is an excellent album for savasana (yoga relaxation) or meditation. Wonderful Sabbath music. Two songs are in English, "Oh, God of Loveliness," A tune known to me as the "Crusaders Hymn" or "Beautiful Savior." These words, while different than what I'm familiar with, are also worthy of a magnificant old melody. Adoramus Te, and Veni, Veni, Emmanuel are masterpeices sung with strength and conviction.

Her Hymn to Mary was written while coping with breast cancer.

My only complaint (as one from the reform religious tradition) is that there are too many Marian songs. Her Hymn to Mary contains doctrine that am uncomfortable with so I skip it. Yet even then I am fascinated by the harmonies and quiet power of Sanctissima
and Ave Maria.

If you want a contemplative album that touches your heart this is it. A superb work.

for more information click here

reviews: 1, 2, 3, 4, page 5, 6

products you might be interested in