Beauty Has Grace

Editorial Reviews
Album Description
Now 25 years old and married, Jaci continues her growth as an artist and songwriter on her 5th studio album, Beauty Has Grace. The new album has a refreshingly organic sound that reveals a new musical and lyrical side of Jaci. She was actively involved throughout the recording of Beauty Has Grace, making it a personal statement of who she is as an artist. Jaci shares writing credits on six of the 10 songs.

Tracks:

America the Beautiful
All Quiet on the Potomac Tonight
Ballad of the Green Berets
On Top of Old Smokey
Coyote Warrior
Semper Fidelis
Breeze from Alabama
Onward Christian Soldiers
Come Where My Love Lies Dreaming
Patriot
Sweet Betsy from Pike
Marines' Hymn
America Is
When Johnny Comes Marchin' Home
Happy the Soldier
American Trilogy
Home Sweet Home
Washington Post March
Enraptured I Gaze
Jeannie With the Light Brown Hair
Yellow Rose of Texas
Over There
Simple Gifts
Liberty Bell
Star Spangled Banner

Tracks:

God Bless the USA
Yankee Doodle Dandy
Katy Cruel
I Vow to Thee My Country
King Cotton
Beautiful Dreamer
America
American Patrol
Mine Eyes Have Seen the Beauty
Mohican Dream
Red, White and Blue
Some Folks
Liberty Song
Pomp and Circumstance
Hail to the Chief
Bennington Rifles
Peace on the Battlefield
I've Been Working on the Railroad
Under the Double Eagle
Red River Valley
My Country 'Tis of Thee
Camptown Races
Wild Blue Yonder
Hands Across the Sea
Fanfare for the Common Man

Tracks:

Stars and Stripes Forever
Living in America
Home on the Range
Old Colony Times
Clementine
Invincible Eagle
Ring Ring de Banjo
Yankee Doodle
Largo from "The New World"
To a Wild Rose
Hail Columbia
Alexander's Ragtime Band
Gettysburg
Carry Me Back to Old Virginny
Capitan
Prairie Daughter
Little Brown Jug
Marching Through Georgia
Entertainer
Steamboat Around the Bend
Revolutionary Tea
Cassions Keep Rollin' Along
Johnny Has Gone for a Soldier
Amazing Grace
Grand Old Flag

Tracks:

God Bless America
National Emblem
Soldier, Soldier Won't You Marry Me
Anchors Away
Oh, Susannah
Tramp, Tramp, Tramp
Toast
Dixie
St. Louis Blues
Appalachian Spring
Bonnie Blue Flag
Old Hundreth
Swanee River
Battle Cry of Freedom
U. S Field Artillery
Sidewalks of New York
Chester
Auld Lang Syne
Kingdom Come
My Old Kentucky Home
Hail to the Spirit of Liberty
Battle Hymn of the Republic
Shenandoah
Abraham's Daughter
This Land Is Your Land

Customer Reviews:

not to great.......2007-04-04

We were disappointed with this CD, but for the price I guess we can't expect much. I didn't care for the new style presentation of the songs. I like a more traditional rendering.

Not so bad, 100 tunes for 4$.......2005-06-22

I red the comments of two other people who have bought this 4 CD BOX SET and it is not really so bad. I will even add that there are some excellent tunes. However, I must agree with the fact that few tunes seem to have been recorded 40 or 50 years ago, mainly when you hear the scratches of an old turntable but it is just 2 or 3 tunes. Furthermore, if you do not know American music, it is a good BOX SET to buy if you consider that you received 4 CD for 4$ including 100 tunes. On these 4 CD, I have heard some orchestration that I have never heard before and I consider that they are different but interesting. Any way, after hearing these 100 tunes, you will say to yourself that you like this tune, this other tune, this other tune and so on and you will be able to buy a more expensive CD with the tunes that you like. However, I have bought many CDs in the last few weeks and as you know, there are always some tunes that you like and some tunes that you do not like on every CD that you will buy. So, don't buy it at 25$ but at 4 or 5$ dollars, it is a very good choice for 100 tunes.

You get what you pay for........2004-07-04

You get what you pay for. The singers put their own spin on the singing of each song. If you didn't hear the words you would not recognize some of them. Even some of the music sounds like a bad recording of music played on a turntable. Definitely not worth the price.

Now I know why there were no song samples to listen to ..........2004-07-04

I wish this review had been here when I was thinking of purchasing it. I guess you get what you pay for. If you are thinking of buying this, you are better off recording your own CDs (or at least buying one that you can listen to a sampling of the songs). This album includes songs that were mere recordings of the songs playing on an old record player. It's almost so unbelievable that it is funny.

Average customer rating:

Astonishing
Experimental, Inconsistent, Disappointing
Consistent and great!
Simply the best
the other side if jaci the good side that is

Beauty Has Grace
Jaci Velasquez
Manufacturer: Word Entertainment
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Unspoken
Crystal Clear
On My Knees: The Best of Jaci Velasquez
Jaci Velasquez
Christmas

ASIN: B0007Z2IH6
Release Date: 2005-05-03

Tracks:

I'm Not Looking Down
With All My Soul
Prayer to Love
Lay It Down
Something Beautiful
Tonight
When You Hold Me
Reason to Believe
Supernatural
This Love

Album Description

Now 25 years old and married, Jaci continues her growth as an artist and songwriter on her 5th studio album, Beauty Has Grace. The new album has a refreshingly organic sound that reveals a new musical and lyrical side of Jaci. She was actively involved throughout the recording of Beauty Has Grace, making it a personal statement of who she is as an artist. Jaci shares writing credits on six of the 10 songs.

Customer Reviews:

Astonishing.......2006-09-10

I've never been a real big fan of Jaci. I know some of the songs, and have a couple of her CDs, but by and large I've never really been into her; and, I admit, pretty much bought Beauty Has Grace sight unseen because of how good she looks on the cover. And then I listened to it.

I have never witnessed a musical transformation like this. Between albums, Jaci has gone from a (sorry to say) vapid pop singer with a merely average voice to a full fledged music goddess. Her vocals change from minute to minute: sometimes light and sexy (best example: "All My Soul"; listen to that and tell me her "yeah" isn't about the cutest thing you ever heard), but at times raw, edgy, tinged with a certain--something. (I hate to say anger, but, in her own words: "I found myself getting mad at a song because it wasn't coming out right. That's actually how a lot that singing came about.") From the very raw "When You Hold Me", to the catchy (and closest to her old poppy stuff like "Everytime I fall") "Reason To Believe", EVERY song on this album is good; and that's saying something when most modern CDs have maybe one or two good songs with a few "listenable" ones scattered about.

"I wanted...the rawness, and kind of the nakedness, of all the (vocal) imperfections," Jaci said in a 2005 interview--aptly titled "Raw Faith" (which, hopefully, puts to rest any theories on her losing her voice). She's no longer the CCM pop sensation she once was, though she should be; and she's huge in Latin America--with stuff that, I hate to say, is terrible; but the woman is young and enormously talented. If she focuses her energy on making another album with the quality and uniqueness of this, she will truely cement her place in musical history. Jaci Velasquez: This Beauty Has Grace.

Experimental, Inconsistent, Disappointing.......2006-06-25

First, here are some general positives about Jaci Velasquez:

- She is a very gifted singer. Her vocal range is top-notch - definitely on par with Mariah Carey and Christina Aguilera.

- She is beautiful. And unlike a previous reviewer, I do not consider the recognition of this attribute to be a sign of shallowness but rather a display of appreciation for feminine beauty. I like beautiful singing voices. I like beautiful women. There's no difference.

- She has great spiritual depth. Her music reflects key spiritual themes such as love, faith and joy.

Now, here's a critique of the CD:

I listened to all the music samples (as you can do as well) and only one song caught my attention - "Lay It Down". The other tracks have too much of a hard rock sound and were too experimental for my taste. But the song "Lay It Down" was different. It sounded more acoustic, more in the style of folk rock - a genre that reflects my personal preference in pop music.

I found the sound clip of "Lay It Down" to be intriguing because it reminded me of a hit song in the 1970's - Eric Carmen's "All By Myself", later covered by Celine Dion in 1996. "All By Myself" is a ballad having a soft, understated introductory verse with an explosive chorus. The sample clip of "Lay It Down" appears to be in the same mold. It has a soft, understated introductory verse; however, it seems to lack an explosive chorus.

Listen to the sample and hear it for yourself. The introductory verse is closing with the following lyrics:

"All of my hopes and my dreams and my best laid plans
Are slowly slipping through my folded hands"

So far, so good. There's only a piano and a violin accompanying Jaci's soft vocals. Next, the song appears to be moving from the verse to the chorus and you hear the following lyrics:

"So I'm gonna lay it down
I'm gonna learn to trust You now"

Now here's a problem. I am expecting to hear the beginning of an emotional outburst - an opportunity for a singer with the pipes of Jaci Velasquez to showcase her voice. But it is not forthcoming. Why?

This intrigued me and I wanted to hear the whole song but I did not want to purchase a CD for only one song. Luckily, I discovered that a compilation CD of Jaci Velasquez's best songs was released recently and it contained "Lay It Down". Great! I bought the CD - "On My Knees: The Best of Jaci Velasquez".

This is what I discovered after listening to "Lay It Down".

- The first time through the verse and the chorus, the song is definitely understated. We simply have the accompaninment of a piano and a violin with Jaci's soft vocals.

- The second time through the verse and the chorus, a drum beat is introduced and Jaci begins to let some emotion out beginning in the middle of the verse and when the song moves into the chorus a complete emotional outburst occurs. But somewhat to my dismay, this is not the same voice that I am expecting from Jaci Velasquez. Her voice was more raspy and raw (actually, it was sounding more like Demi Moore or Tara Reid, not that that is necessarily bad). Furthermore, she appeared to be struggling.

Is this the same voice that was soaring effortlessly through the stratosphere on songs such as "On My Knees", "Speak For Me", and "Adore"? Is Jaci Velasquez losing her voice?

I don't know but I find it very difficult to imagine that a young woman in her mid-20's is losing her voice. She is entering her prime. Barring a health issue, this just doesn't happen.

"Lay It Down" is actually a pretty good song. In fact, I am almost of the opinion that it may be her best. I certainly find myself listening to this song more than any of her others.

"Lay It Down" has the same message as the Beatles' classic "Let It Be". The words are different but both songs share the same sentiment. Actually, now that I think of it...they do share a couple of words in common...the words "let it be". Here are the closing lyrics:

"I'm gonna let it be, I'm gonna let it go
I'm gonna lay it down"

The essential lesson being conveyed is learning to "let go and let God" - a profound spiritual insight. Something that each of us here is learning.

This song is heartfelt and gut-wrenching. And though her voice is struggling through it, the song, nevertheless, works out its magic.

I gave this CD 2 stars because I think Jaci Velasquez is attempting to redefine her music style and has not succeeded. Interestingly enough, her best sound was her first CD - Un Lugar Celestial (A Heavenly Place). Bring back the spanish/flamenco guitar and develop a more acoustic sound. In my opinion, the acoustic sound is more spiritual. Keep the piano and electric bass guitar but dispense with the hard rock electric guitar and synthesized sound effects. Develop a Latin folk rock sound with an element of jazz. Hire a good saxophonist or a trumpet player. Emphasize ballads. That should do the trick.

Consistent and great!.......2005-08-22

Like many other people, I had read several online reviews of this CD which stated this was a new direction for Jaci; more alternative even.

I disagree! It sounds similar to `Unspoken' from 2003 and `Jaci Velasquez' from 1998. Yes, a little edginess creeps into some tracks like the lovely, grunge-y `Something beautiful' and `When you hold me', but songs like `I'm not looking down' (with its distinctive guitar riff) and `With all my soul' (sounding a bit like Natalie Imbruglia) sound like her other stuff. Sunny sounding, catchy, upbeat pop/rock songs.

That's not to say this isn't a good CD, in fact it is GREAT! What we get here are catchy pop/rock tunes, guitars pushed to the fore, and Jaci's soft, breathy, smoky vocals. A slightly European sound.

She actually sounds raw and raspy on songs like the brilliant tender ballad `Lay it down' (about letting go and trusting God; one of the standouts) and the Alanis sounding grunge rocker `When you hold me' with shimmery sounding guitars. Some people have said her voice is deteriorating but I love the earthy sound. Besides, she doesn't sing/sound like this on any other songs.

`Tonight' is a catchy upbeat duet with Michael Clarke (don't know who he is but he has a great voice). `Prayer to love' is a pleasant mid tempo rocker. I love the mid tempo rocker `Reason to believe' with melancholic sounding guitar and a sudden break. Another standout.

`Supernatural' and `This love' (the album gets its name from a line in this song) are beautiful ballads, perfectly showcasing her fantastic vocals. In God's eyes we're all the same/this love is for everyone. True!

10 songs but not a single duff track among them.

Recorded in London, England, (explains the slight European sound) and featuring 6 Jaci co writes, the songs take a bit of repeated playing to grow but another great CD from Jaci Velasquez.

Simply the best.......2005-07-28

Everybody has different points of view, and mine is THIS CD IS AWESOME!, Jaci knows how to evolve and give us something totally different and very touchin' lyrics. I think you should buy it if you love Christian music, all Jaci CD's are MUST HAVE!.

the other side if jaci the good side that is.......2005-06-15

let me go by saying this i am a jaci velasquez fan for years ever since she came out in 1996...ok lets get one thing straight..THIS IS NOT UNSPOKEN this is BEAUTY HAS GRACE a totally diffrent cd this is one of the best jaci cd to come out since her second self titled album "jaci"(in which i love).but to be honest "beauty has grace" came petty darn close the lyrcs on this cd are really good and catchy....now for those who are new to jaci i will advise you that this is a cd will grow on you every time you listen to it my favorite song is "with all my soul" "supernatural""reason to belive"and "somthing beautiful" in which i play that song in heavy rotation.this is jaci at her best i would deffenify pefer this cd...trust me this is a whole new diffrent side to jaci that some thought she never had...edge with a messege...let this be the review for those who where wavering let me...to get this cd find this review helpful and go get this cd...........

Average customer rating:

Great music/stories as well as sound quality
Fabulous for Kids
Music Box Series

Music Box V. 2
Classical Kids , Johann Sebastian Bach , Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart , Christian Pezold , Pyotr Il'yich Tchaikovsky , Spiritual Traditional , Matthias Weckmann , Errol Gay , Walter Babiak , Studio Arts Orchestra , Adriana Braun , Gordon McLeod , Marjorie Sparks , Monica Whicher , and Nils Brown
Manufacturer: Children's Group
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Ballets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Fantasies | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Fugues | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music

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German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Russian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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

General | Children's Music | Styles | Music

Compilations | Children's Music | Styles | Music

General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Music Box, Vol. 1
Mozart's Magnificent Voyage
Song of the Unicorn
Classical Kids Christmas
Beethoven Lives Upstairs

ASIN: B00000212W
Release Date: 1997-09-30

Tracks:

Lost In The Opera House: Oh Help Me (Zu Hilfe) - The Studio Arts Orchestra/Walter Babiak
Papageno And The Birds: The Best Bird-Catcher (Der Voglefanger) - The Studio Arts Orchestra/Walter Babiak
The Queen Of The Night: You Must Journey (O Zitt're Nicht) - The Studio Arts Orchestra/Walter Babiak
Pamina Arrives, Papageno's Magic Bells: A Girlfriend (Ein Madchen) - The Studio Arts Orchestra/Walter Babiak
The Castle Of Sarastro: O Endless Night (O Ew'ge Nacht) - The Studio Arts Orchestra/Walter Babiak
The Magic Flute: O Listen, Hear The Song (Wie Stark) - The Studio Arts Orchestra/Walter Babiak
The Escape: Let Us Hurry (Schnelle Fusse)/What Twinkles So Brightly (Das Klinget)/Sarastro's ... - The Studio Arts Orchestra/Walter Babiak
Sarastro's Welcome: The Gods Above (O Isis) - The Studio Arts Orchestra/Walter Babiak
The Attack Of The Queen: The Powers Of Night (Der Holle Rache)/Tamino's Trial: This Path... - The Studio Arts Orchestra/Walter Babiak
Pamina's Lament: Oh My Heart Is Broken (Ach, Ich Fuhl's) - The Studio Arts Orchestra/Walter Babiak
In The Labyrinth: O Seekers Of The Light (Der, Welcher Wandert)/Tamino Mine/We Pass Proctected... - The Studio Arts Orchestra/Walter Babiak
Papageno And Papagena: Ring, O Bells (Klinget Glockchen)/Pa-Pa-Papagena - The Studio Arts Orchestra/Walter Babiak
Conclusion: Our Journey Is Over (Bei Mannern)/Overture - The Studio Arts Orchestra/Walter Babiak

Tracks:

Piano Concerto #1, 1st Movt/Danse Napolitaine (Swan Lake) - Studio Arts Orchestra/High Park Girls Choir/Walter Babiak
Trepac (Nutcracker) - Studio Arts Orchestra/High Park Girls Choir/Walter Babiak
Swing Low, Sweet Chariot/Turkey In The Straw/Waltzes (Serenade, And Swan Lake) - Studio Arts Orchestra/High Park Girls Choir/Walter Babiak
Tea (Nutcracker)/Coffee (Nutcracker)/Chocolate (Nutcracker) - Studio Arts Orchestra/High Park Girls Choir/Walter Babiak
Danse Des Cygnes, Allegro (Swan Lake) - Studio Arts Orchestra/High Park Girls Choir/Walter Babiak
1812 Overture (Excerpt) - Studio Arts Orchestra/High Park Girls Choir/Walter Babiak
Silver (Sleeping Beauty)/Ragtime - Studio Arts Orchestra/High Park Girls Choir/Walter Babiak
Overture Act II (Swan Lake) - Studio Arts Orchestra/High Park Girls Choir/Walter Babiak
Girls' Chorus (Eugene Onegin) - Studio Arts Orchestra/High Park Girls Choir/Walter Babiak
Coda, Act II (Nutcracker)/Rag On Tchaikovsky Theme - Studio Arts Orchestra/High Park Girls Choir/Walter Babiak
Marche Slav - Studio Arts Orchestra/High Park Girls Choir/Walter Babiak
Violente (Sleeping Beauty)/Sugar Plum Fairy (Nutcracker) - Studio Arts Orchestra/High Park Girls Choir/Walter Babiak
Le Sommeil, Panorama (Sleeping Beauty) - Studio Arts Orchestra/High Park Girls Choir/Walter Babiak
Long, Long Ago/Onegin (Girls' Chorus)/Waltz Op.20 - Studio Arts Orchestra/High Park Girls Choir/Walter Babiak
Amazing Grace - Studio Arts Orchestra/High Park Girls Choir/Walter Babiak
Serenade For Strings: Movt 1/Finale/1812 Overture: Finale - Studio Arts Orchestra/High Park Girls Choir/Walter Babiak

Tracks:

Orchestral Suite #3, Mvt. 1/Minuet In G/Gigue In G (French Suite #5) - Studio Arts Orchestra/Walter Babiak/The Toronto Boys Chor/Ned Hanson
Jesu, Joy Of Man's Desiring/Chromatic Fantasy/Prelude In B Minor - Studio Arts Orchestra/Walter Babiak/The Toronto Boys Chor/Ned Hanson
Introducing The Orchestra/Organ Chorale Prelude: 'Allein Gott' - Studio Arts Orchestra/Walter Babiak/The Toronto Boys Chor/Ned Hanson
Brandenberg Concerto #5, Movt. 3 - Studio Arts Orchestra/Walter Babiak/The Toronto Boys Chor/Ned Hanson
Flute Sonata in C, Mvt. 2/Organ: 'Es Ist Das Heil'/Orch Ste #2, Mvt. 6/Violin Sonata In E, Mvt. 2 - Studio Arts Orchestra/Walter Babiak/The Toronto Boys Chor/Ned Hanson
Prelude In C (Book 1 Of WTC)/Orchestral Suite #2, Mvt. 2 - Studio Arts Orchestra/Walter Babiak/The Toronto Boys Chor/Ned Hanson
Bist Du Bei Mir - Studio Arts Orchestra/Walter Babiak/The Toronto Boys Chor/Ned Hanson
Orchestral Suite #2, Badinerie - Studio Arts Orchestra/Walter Babiak/The Toronto Boys Chor/Ned Hanson
Orchestral Suite #3, Air For G String - Studio Arts Orchestra/Walter Babiak/The Toronto Boys Chor/Ned Hanson
Orchestral Suite #3, Gigue - Studio Arts Orchestra/Walter Babiak/The Toronto Boys Chor/Ned Hanson
'Adventure In Music' - Studio Arts Orchestra/Walter Babiak/The Toronto Boys Chor/Ned Hanson
Goldberg Variations/Art Of Fugue - Studio Arts Orchestra/Walter Babiak/The Toronto Boys Chor/Ned Hanson
'Liebster Jesu': Flute Sonata In C, Mvt. 4 - Studio Arts Orchestra/Walter Babiak/The Toronto Boys Chor/Ned Hanson
'We Hasten,' Cantata #78 - Studio Arts Orchestra/Walter Babiak/The Toronto Boys Chor/Ned Hanson

Customer Reviews:

Great music/stories as well as sound quality.......2004-02-11

The stories on CD are well written and very entertaining. I listened through all 3 CDs in one sitting when I got them! What's more, its sound quality is very good. I have other classical music CDs for kids and almost always I'm disappointed with the sound quality. (Violines sound like they have flu!)

This is a great buy for kids of all ages!!!

Fabulous for Kids.......2002-01-01

My two children, ages 7 and 5 received the Classical Kids Music Box, volumes 1 & 2 for Christmas this year and they can't seem to get enough of it! Each box contains 3 CD's, each on a different composer. Some are narrated by children and tell a story of the particular composer. Their popular compositions play in the background - this way the listener hears a partial biography of the composer as well as some music. Volume 1 contains stories of Handel, Beethoven and Vivaldi, and Volume 2 contains stories of Mozart, Bach and Tchaikovsky. I highly recommend this for all children who listed to music CD's, whether they're musically inclined or not.

Music Box Series.......2001-04-23

To say this series of music is "CAPTIVATING" is a total understatement. We have enjoyed these immensely for 2 years now and are hoping they will continue to release more composers. These well-told stories will hold the interest of everyone at any age while introducing them to these brilliant composers. My son is a 12 year old AAA travel hockey player and listens to these CD's while going to sleep, every night, without fail! Last week he asked if he could go online to find music and I thought he was looking for something along the line of latest hits. What a surprise to find him looking for more of the Music Box Series. These collections are as valuable to classical music as Harry Potter has become to children's reading! The story of Beethoven is especially poignant, when you realize what he accomplished with his gift in spite of his many challenges. I won't give away the plots of these wonderful stories told in this series, however I will say they will be listened to over and over again! And just like Harry Potter, you can't wait for the next one!

Music:

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