Beth Nielsen Chapman has long been a music-industry favorite, with the likes of Elton John championing and performing her songs. To say she's had it rough, though, barely does justice to the events that inform 1997's Sand ... more »and Water and its follow-up, Deeper Still--the death of her husband and her subsequent fight with breast cancer. Deeper Still's acceptance of hard truths will resonate with many listeners, while others will raise an eyebrow at Chapman's insistence that there are "angels by [her] side." As Hallmark as she can sometimes seem, though, it feels a bit churlish to throw stones at someone who could've folded as easily as continuing to record. Deeper Still offers nothing as pop perfect as "This Kiss," the hit she cowrote for Faith Hill, but those tuned to its singer-songwriter pitch will treasure it nonetheless. --Rickey Wright« less
Beth Nielsen Chapman has long been a music-industry favorite, with the likes of Elton John championing and performing her songs. To say she's had it rough, though, barely does justice to the events that inform 1997's Sand and Water and its follow-up, Deeper Still--the death of her husband and her subsequent fight with breast cancer. Deeper Still's acceptance of hard truths will resonate with many listeners, while others will raise an eyebrow at Chapman's insistence that there are "angels by [her] side." As Hallmark as she can sometimes seem, though, it feels a bit churlish to throw stones at someone who could've folded as easily as continuing to record. Deeper Still offers nothing as pop perfect as "This Kiss," the hit she cowrote for Faith Hill, but those tuned to its singer-songwriter pitch will treasure it nonetheless. --Rickey Wright
A Vandermeer | Virginia Beach, VA United States | 07/12/2002
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I wanted to rate this CD 5 stars, but I think that rating should be reserved for rare works that truly stand far above the run of the mill. This one is close, but rates only 4 in my book because, despite the extremely moving tunes and gorgeous lyrics, Beth Nielsen Chapman is only an average vocalist.This is an extremely moving CD from beginning to end. It might not lift your heart, but it will stir your soul. And art is about moving you in some way, even if it is not always upbeat and happy. Other reviewers have commented on the famous singers who have lent thier talents to back-up vocals. This, I think, is a tribute to the strength of the material that Ms. Chapman has created. Other reviewers have also commented on indvidual songs. The one that moved me most is called, "Sleep" as I recall. On it, Ms. Chapman sings of "The same heartcrushing sorrow, the same unspeakable loveliness... all at the same time." These lyrics could describe the entire CD."
Simple, beautiful, pure--
Adam Chen | Mercer Island, WA USA | 02/13/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Very simple lyrics and comes with lyrics on the jacket too! I love this CD. Listened to it all day yesterday and today... If you like her previous Sand and Water be warned this is much different. It is quite religious but not in a preachy way, more spiritual. All the songs seem quite good, except I can't seem to figure out "deeper still". Guess what? I think that's a good thing! Keep searching, and if you are thinking about buying this CD I would strongly recommend it!"
Listen to this with an open mind.
K. Shilcock | England | 12/16/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"On 1st hearing, this Jennifer Warnes 'sound-alike' conveys a religious-leaning and a preoccupation with the meaning of love. For macho males, the album could be a put-off; for those with more sensitivity, a spark of fascination could happen. For it is quickly evident that this lady is sincere in the poetry she writes. Hints arise of the writings of e.g. Leonard Cohen, Dougie MacLean, Nanci Griffith, and others. The support she is given by other singers such as John Prime and Vince Gill is unobtrusive and pleasant, and I wanted to play the album again immediately.I consider this album to be special. This assumes that we can put aside inhibitions and listen openly to the content of the songs. Some are upbeat; many are slow and reflective.As for the recording, the information informs us that numerous sites are used for the recordings. On good equipment this shows: in lack of clarity and in digital 'edge' to the voice. In what seems a common style in US C & W recordings, there is little ambience and the sound does not open up enough; my 'ScanSpeak' tweeters appear to have taken a vacation! A quick check with a digital editor shows clipping; with minor clip restoration, plus slight presence lift, the sound becomes more acceptable.Do listen to the poetry..."
Not quite as strong as SAND AND WATER but close
Greg Brady | Capital City | 07/15/2005
(4 out of 5 stars)
"This disk came after Chapman not only weathered her husband's cancer death (inspiration for SAND AND WATER) but made it through her own bout with breast cancer. Unfortunately, where her husband's tragedy made for beautiful art in the case of SAND AND WATER, Beth's own affliction didn't seem to bring the muses as readily. There are some wonderful moments here, but overall it's not as consistent as SAND AND WATER was in plumbing the depths of her emotions. As in the past, it's on the uptempo numbers Chapman falters while the ballads are surefooted and nearly universally stellar.
HIGHLIGHTS:
"Every December Sky" uses the fallen leaves of autumn as a metaphor for mortality. ("And every leaf of fire lets go/melting in the arms of Earth and snow") Bonnie Raitt guests along with frequent songwriting partner Annie Roboff on "Wait for the Way", an ode to having patience while "time heals all wounds". The title track is the finest paraphrase of "it's better to have loved and lost" I've heard. A pennywhistle and Vince Gill's harmony bolster the track, summed up in its final line "you will always have what you gave to love". "Sleep" is Chapman's paean to world music, incorporating Native American flute, Tibetan bowl, Conch shell and street sounds of an Indian market in its unorthodox arrangement. Chapman imagines death as a place with "wondrous wings and blinded eyes/that see even beyond seeing/The same heartbreaking sorrow/The same unspeakable loveliness/All at the same time/How beautiful and sad". "Feathers Bones and Shells" reminds us of how fragile life is, that "nothing escapes/the wind blowing through/the feathers, bones and shells". Beth's accompanied only by her piano and John Catching's cello. "There's a Light" is a non-denominational hymn of sorts, asserting "To this world we will die/but our hearts know/We'll see more on that side/when the door opens wide/We will fly, we will fly/we will all go". The restrained arrangement never allows itself to crest into bathos. Emmylou Harris and Kimmie Rhodes add subtle harmony as Chapman ends the album with the antithesis of opener "World of Hurt".
LOWS:
The mechanized electronic drum drone of "All for the Love" feels out of place in the context of the mostly organic sounds Chapman has offered on the bulk of the album. It's no so much "poor" as poorly used. It might have been better held onto for a future project where it would sound of a piece. It may just be incredible coincidence, but "All Comes Down to Love" sounds AMAZINGLY close musically to the PUSH STARS "Drunk is Better than Dead". At least, I'm hoping it's just astounding coincidence. The acoustic guitar parts are identical..the song is OK but the smell of plagairism ruins it for me.
BOTTOM LINE:
This still is quite a contemplative album and not "sunny pop" by any means, but it's not as laden with melancholy as SAND AND WATER was. Though I feel S.A.W. was a better work of art, you may find yourself putting this one in the player more often."
Beyond Beautiful...
Katie | PA , USA | 07/29/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I recently downloaded "Deeper Still" from Itunes & it quickly became a new favorite of mine. Every song on this CD is beyond beautiful and "deep", containing important life insights & connecting with feelings we've all experienced at one point or another in our lives.
In each song Beth connects with her listens in a most beautiful & profound way - it is truly awesome!
I would categorize this music as folk or folk-rock. However, on this particular CD, there is also a celtic-flare to several of the songs.
So, if you like "folk-rock"-type music & music that touches your heart, then this CD is for you! I honestly can't recommend it highly enough!"