Alabaster Box

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
In the wake of a prolific outpouring of song, the '90s have been good to soulful belter CeCe Winans. Further evidence of getting better with time is Alabaster Box. While not as cutting edge or musically adventurous as 1998's Everlasting Love, this latest project marks an important shift in this fine sister's stylistic and vocal development. Most evident on the decidedly classic title track, Winans forsakes a trendy dated arrangement for sophisticated piano, strings, and woodwinds. The voice, which has always been impressive, is even more so here, as a new maturity broadens and adds weight to the biggest and most well-placed sound yet. The remainder of the album, while lovely, doesn't quite rise to the stunning beauty of its central offering. "Alabaster Box" is so efficient a chariot of great strength and grace that more becomes less, a distraction from Winans's greatest gift. --Paige La Grone

Alabaster Box, Music, CeCe Winans, Contemporary Gospel, Gospel, Gospel/Christian Music, Pop, Urban

Average customer rating:

"Put it in ya cart ....rit now....."

Wooooooooooooow!!!!!

CeCe Amazing Voice & Spiritfilled Inspiring Album-

Excellent

She's A Wonder...

Alabaster Box
CeCe Winans
Manufacturer: Chordant
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music
Gospel | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music
Christian Contemporary Music | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music
General | R&B | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Throne Room

Alone in His Presence

Purified

CeCe Winans

Day by Day

ASIN: B00001ZSUH
Release Date: 1999-10-19

Tracks:

Fill My Cup
King Of Kings (He's A Wonder)
It Wasn't Easy
Alabaster Box
Comforter
Love Of My Heart
Without Love
He's Not On His Knees Yet
One And The Same
Higher Place Of Praise
Blessed, Broken, & Given
King Of Kings - Reprise

Amazon.com

In the wake of a prolific outpouring of song, the '90s have been good to soulful belter CeCe Winans. Further evidence of getting better with time is Alabaster Box. While not as cutting edge or musically adventurous as 1998's Everlasting Love, this latest project marks an important shift in this fine sister's stylistic and vocal development. Most evident on the decidedly classic title track, Winans forsakes a trendy dated arrangement for sophisticated piano, strings, and woodwinds. The voice, which has always been impressive, is even more so here, as a new maturity broadens and adds weight to the biggest and most well-placed sound yet. The remainder of the album, while lovely, doesn't quite rise to the stunning beauty of its central offering. "Alabaster Box" is so efficient a chariot of great strength and grace that more becomes less, a distraction from Winans's greatest gift. --Paige La Grone

Customer Reviews:

"Put it in ya cart ....rit now.....".......2006-02-11

This was a beautiful album...My mom bought it by mistake...and I fell in love with the ministry that God gave Mrs. Winans....Fill My Cup....was a beautiful intro.... I lift it up Lord" ... a psalm unto God... "King of Kings" was the single of 1999...as soon as the beat dropped...you'll begin to rock...and groove in the spirit.. "It Wasn't Easy"...is an Easter song to remember....she really sang and spoke from the prospective of God.... "Alabaster Box"....was simply heart touching...she sang as if she were the woman in the Bible who knelt at the feet of Jesus... I believe I first heard this song while someone did interpetive dance to it... and I got the message...."OMG"..... "Comforter" is a quiet jam...."Love of my heart" reminds you of an Erika Badu selection....the melody kept ringing in my head... " I know this song from somewhere else" ...then I got was watching Brown Sugar...I think.....and Whop...there it was.......nice spin though....."He's not on his knees yet"....wondering plea....perfectly expressed..... "One and the Same" was great...especially to hear Take 6 with BGVs.......this album was a petition to God...prayers and psalms and spiritual songs....great message...one of my first Gospel CDs.....

Wooooooooooooow!!!!!.......2005-10-01

Cece has done it again. Besides "Alone In His Presence", this is my favorite!!!!! Don't get me wrong, I love ALL of my christian, anointed sister's CDs. It is obvious that Cece has a personal relationship with GOD. Her gift magnifies HIS presence; and I have been blessed on many occasions by listening to here music. I LOVE Cece!!!!! She never fails to lift my spirit. To everyone who has not purchased this CD, do!!!!! CECE, THANK YOU FOR YOUR GIFT, BUT MOSTLY FOR PRAISING OUR ALMIGHTY GOD!!!!! MAY YOU CONTINUE TO USE THIS WONDERFUL INSTRUMENT TO UPLIFT SPIRITS AND HONOR THE FATHER!!!!!

CeCe Amazing Voice & Spiritfilled Inspiring Album-.......2005-06-21

I purchased this album in 1999, I love the message through out this album. I love every song. CeCe sings with Confliction and Reflection. I cry when I first listened to this album. My Personal Favorite is Alabaster Box. I also give all these songs a Five Star Rating. Every song is ties into each other getting you to feel the mood CeCe was expressing. She is clearly devoted and proud to proclaim her Love for her God and Lord.I would encourage anyone who is looking for album to get them into the Praise & Worship or who is a new christian to purchase this album this will get you into the prescence of God and the Lord.
1. Fill My Cup 5 Star
2. King of Kings (He's a Wonder) 5 Star
3. It Wasn't Easy 5 star
4. Alabaster Box 5 Star
5. Comforter 5 Star
6. Love of My Heart 5 Star
7. Without Love 5 Star
8. He's Not on His Knees Yet 5 Star
9. One and the Same 5 Star
10. Higher Place of Praise 5 Star
11. Blessed, Broken & Given 5 Star
12. King of Kings (He's a Wonder) (Reprise) 5 Star

Please I encourage everyone to buy this album. It is in a Class of it's own.

Excellent.......2004-12-04

CeCe Winans' "Alabaster Box" is one of the best CDs I have ever heard. From the very first track, she gives praise and thanks to our Lord and makes you smile the whole time she's doing so. By far, the best track is the title track "Alabaster Box." The first time I heard Ms. Winans sing this song, I was crying at the end of the song. This lady can SING and thanks to God for letting her do so.

She's A Wonder..........2004-04-16

Each cd that CeCe releases showcases growth and maturity and this one is no different. While "Everlasting Love" chartered new territory, "Alabaster Box" offers a "half-way" return to her more traditonal roots. I say "half-way" because there is still somewhat of a contemporary element present in these songs (and it works). CeCe's voice is strong, convincing, and the title track is breathtaking. My personal favorite though, is "Without Love"; my finger always hits the repeat button when this song finishes. Other greats include: "Fill My Cup" (those who read CeCe's book will fully understand the meaning of this song)"It Wasn't Easy", "He's Not on His Knees Yet", "One and the Same" (w/Take 6) and "King of Kings (He's a Wonder)". An essential recording for any CeCe fan, or anyone who enjoys gospel music.

Average customer rating:

Heavenly lullaby
If you're looking for minimalism...
Impecable recording quality...a recording artists dream.
Brilliant performance, good sound
They can sing this in Heaven

I Am The True Vine: Arvo Part
Paul Hillier , Theatre of Voices , and Pro Arte Singers
Manufacturer: Harmonia Mundi Fr.
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Choruses | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

A Cappella | Folk | Styles | Music

Classical | Imports | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Arvo Pärt: De Profundis
Orient & Occident
Alina - Arvo Part
Miserere
Arvo Part: Te Deum / Kaljuste, Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir

ASIN: B00003Z9U9
Release Date: 2000-03-14

Tracks:

Bogoroditse Djevo
I Am The True Vine
Ode IX, from Kanon pokajanen
Woman With the Alabaster Box, The
Tribute To Caesar
BERLINER MESSE with Christopher Bowers-Broadbent organ/Kyrie
BERLINER MESSE/Gloria
BERLINER MESSE/Erster Alleluiavers
BERLINER MESSE/Zweiter Alleluiavers
BERLINER MESSE/Veni Sancte Spiritus
BERLINER MESSE/Credo
BERLINER MESSE/Sanctus
BERLINER MESSE/Angus dei

Amazon.com

Contemporary troubador Paul Hillier has been one of the key players behind introducing Arvo Pärt's music to Western audiences, first through recordings with the Hilliard Ensemble and later through his magnificently innovative group Theatre of Voices. I Am the True Vine continues the collaboration by bringing together some truly vintage Pärt compositions from the '90s. Although it exists on disc in a more elaborate version for choir and strings, the 1990 Berlin Mass was originally written for just four solo voices and organ. Pärt later revised the score, returning to that original sonority, which is the version offered here. The consummate preparation of the Theatre of Voices, in which every line is lovingly unfurled, the whole building into a memorable aural sculpture, only heightens a listener's admiration for Pärt's ability to make the seemingly simple profound. We also hear the composer in a more overtly joyful mood than usual in the short first selection, while the title track--a setting of a text from the Gospel of John and one of three world premiere recordings here--is a marvelously organic example of word painting (representing Pärt's choral virtuosity even when it comes to setting English text). --Thomas May

Customer Reviews:

Heavenly lullaby.......2006-08-20

This is the CD on my bedroom CD player that I listen to to "center" myself before going to sleep. It's actually a little intense for lullaby music, stimulating in a profoundly relaxing way.This is the first CD I would take to my desert island.

If you're looking for minimalism..........2003-04-03

I must have been under the false impression that ALL of Arvo Part's work since 1976 (around the time Fur Alina was written) was in the minimalist vein. Well, this recording is certainly not minimalist in any way, shape, or form.

If you are looking for this type of recording, I would recommend you try Part's instrumental works (apart from those written before '76).

This disc sounds more like neo-rennaisance madrigals and motets. If you are looking for a modern composer doing this type of work, look no further. However, if you are expecting another Fur Alina you will be greatly disappointed.

Impecable recording quality...a recording artists dream........2001-01-06

The best choral recording on the market period. So great in fact that I use this CD to test mid-range imagining on high end speakers. The tones are so pure....that you'll agree this is the CD you spent over 600. a speaker for, bar none.

Brilliant performance, good sound.......2000-09-14

The CD "I am the true vine" with works by Arvo Part is my first more thorough encounter with this composer. The sound of his music - even in the more modern parts - is always very pleasing and somewhat "easy" to listen to. In how far, however, is Part's music conveying more than just the full, well set choral sound? In my opinion, Arvo Part delivers a general feeling about the text, but it takes some time to get acquainted to the unusual style where voices join and drop out of the setting during single words, and in some cases, the emphases in the rhythm of the music do not fit the pronounciation needed in the text (that's why there are only 4 stars).

The CD presents various works, from the "Berliner Messe" - a rather advanced arrangement - via some biblical themes in English to nearly folk-style slavic tunes. This variety makes this CD probably a good start for people like me who want to know more about Part's work. The recording is nearly flawless, and the ensembles directed by Paul Hillier do a very good job.

They can sing this in Heaven.......2000-08-24

This disc is my first introduction to Arvo Part, and I was awestruck. This mystical work sounds like chant but informed by a millenium of musical advancement. I won't venture an opinion for people who aren't Christian (though I daresay they'd appreciate the music), but personally the communion of saints can sing this in Heaven. The title track alone brought me to tears. The singers are excellent and courageous and the encoding quality of the disc seems flawless. Incidentally, it's amazing Part could make such a startling and moving modern Mass setting and still make it singable for everyday liturgical use.