Heavenly Realms - Philip Chapman

Advantages: lyrical sublime
Disadvantages: a couple of average tracks

...Tracy Chapman has made this beautiful album as deeply emotive and meaningful as possible. It starts with 'Heaven's here on Earth' which is a really melodic tune with catchy lyrics and chorus and describes the perfect world. The title track, 'New Beginning' has an earthy sound and starts with a digeridoo. Listen to 'Smoke and Ashes', it is a deeply impactful song and an amazing account of growing, regardless of your age or point in life. 'At This Point In My Life' describes someone eager to, but afraid of taking a new step. 'The Promise', which is a beautiful love song and so soothing. You could listen to it forever. 'Give Me One Reason' will have you dancing, and is the only song with a bluesy beat. The sorrowful 'Remember the Tinman', 'The Rape of the World' and 'Cold Feet' all tell of things lost and crimes committed... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Perfect story-telling songwriting, exceptional vocals, Chapman's best work
Disadvantages: If there is any it would be that the album is too short!

...~ Be and be not afraid 4:44: This song is a folk/gospel track of an intimate look into personal convictions and being able to walk in faith. Chapman plays the guitar and the harmonica on this conversationally paced song. Be and be not afraid I assume is a personal snapshot of Chapman's own faith as she shares her focus on God and his glory among the trappings of the modern world. "I believe in mistakes and accidents, that the nature of life is chaos and confusion, that man's rules of law and order, may not stand, and that I should be and be not afraid, to reach for heaven." This is another beautifully mastered song with soft and meaningful lyrics delivered in an emotionally moving way. As music is art Chapman masters her skill with this song. To put it simply, this song is beautiful both in thought and delivery. This wonderfully ends an outstanding album... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Fast and furious
Disadvantages: Old hat

...Tracy Chapman's first offering, suprisingly entitled Tracy Chapman, was a great success in the U K album charts. It reached number one and hung around for quite some time. It is truly a great album, with every song as good as the last. It offers eleven great tracks, with many famous ones amongst them. The songs are up beat and very emotionally charged, and if you liked Ronan Keatings version of Baby Can I Hold You you'll love Tracy's version. I would recommend this album to anyone, it truly is a superb piece of music.... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average off topic