Shushan the Palace (Hymns of Earth)

1. How Beautiful Are The Feet

2. Sheep May Safely Graze

3. A Star Shall Rise Up From Jacob

4. I Know That My Redeemer Liveth

5. Lo, How A Rose E'er Blooming

6. In The Bleak Midwinter

7. Jesus Christ the Apple Tree

8. Break Forth O Beauteous Heavenly Light

9. If God Be For Us

Product Description

Product Description:
Building on an international reputation as one of the great creators and innovators in contemporary music, Jane Siberry goes a step farther this winter with the release of SHUSHAN the Palace (Hymns of Earth). SHUSHAN features Jane and her collaborators transforming the works of Bach, Handel, Mendelssohn, and other classical and traditional sacred songs, with Jane's gorgeous voice supported by strings, horns, woodwinds, and lush vocal harmonies.

SHUSHAN the Palace started life as an album of Christmas songs, what Jane described as "an interesting and hopefully beautiful alternative to traditional holiday aural fare," and it still serves that purpose. It has, however, evolved in the hands of its creator into something more—a brilliant interpretation of some of the key works of Western music. A number of songs on the CD are from Handel’s Messiah, including "I Know That My Redeemer Liveth," "If God Be For Us," and "How Beautiful Are The Feet." Bach’s "Sheep May Safely Graze" and a new version of "In The Bleak Midwinter," previously recorded by Jane on her 1997 CD Child: Music for the Christmas Season, are other highlights. Siberry breathes new life into these centuries-old songs, returning to them the power and passion they possessed at birth.

Tracks:

How Beautiful Are the Feet
Sheep May Safely Graze
Star Shall Rise Up Out of Jacob
I Know That My Redeemer Liveth
Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming
In the Bleak Midwinter
Jesus Christ the Apple Tree
Break Forth, O Beauteous Heavenly Light
If God Be for Us

Album Description

Subtitled - Hymns Of Earth. 2003 album from the Canadian chanteuse features centuries-old Hymns by Handel, Bach, Mendelssohn-Bartholdy, Rossetti, Holst, & more. Nine tracks. Magada.

Album Details

The Veteran Canadian Art Rocker Does a 180 and Presents her Interpretations of Hymns by Handel, Bach, Mendelssohn, Rosetti, Holst and More. In a Message from Ms. Siberry, "May all Listeners Find the Same Welcoming Hearth in this Recording. Sing Along as Much as You Can. It's Good for the Complexion (And the Soul). The Hymn-gym. Health and Wealth to You All. And Finally, May the Pages of Our Lives Turn with Ever More Curiosity, Humour and Goodly Care. Do We all Stand in the Same Time of Man." --jane Siberry

Customer Reviews:

Jane, we hardly knew ye.......2004-06-16

Ms. Siberry's latest offering is a bit of a disappointment. Come to think of it, her last 4 CDs have been disappointing.
Firstly, she doesn't seem to be writing her own songs anymore. In addition to her voice it was her unique song lyrics that attracted me. Now I don't know what to expect next from her. A collection of Gershwin tunes? A melody of Helen Reddy's greatest hits?
Secondly, less than 40 minutes???? C'mon! When this CD was first advertized on Amazon.com it was going for $24.99. Even at the "reduced rate" of $20.99, I feel like I'm being robbed. Who out there is releasing CDs that are less than 40 minutes??? Jane, you mean to tell me that you can't find a few more ditties? (your oh-too-clever liner notes notwithstanding)
Thirdly, as a physician and a music lover I feel duty-bound to say this: Ms. Siberry, stop smoking! You can hear the effects in your voice (beyond the expected changes that go with age), & your photographs are downright scary! Yikes!

Pretty, but unsatisfying.......2004-02-04

This Jane Siberry "hymns" collection sounds nice, but I had a couple of problems with it. Primarily, her song arrangements are thick with harmony arrangements that tend to obscure the original melody in clouds of pillowy harmonies (with Jane singing all the parts). On songs such as "I Know That My Redeemer Liveth," the saturated harmonies and fuzzy chamber ensemble make it very difficult to follow the melody. The arrangement also has a curiously quaint feeling, like the music from some Disney animated movie of the 1940's. I half expected Jiminy Cricket to start talking about how Pinnochio could become a real boy.

When Jane sings a melody with minimal harmony, as on the lovely "Jesus Christ the Apple Tree" and "If God Be For Us," the effect is much more powerful and enhcanting.

Most of Jane's music in recent years has consisted of her versions of other people's songs. Her previous album Hush was a similar collection of traditional songs. Although I enjoyed Hush more than Shushan, I would still hope that next Jane will return to doing some new songs of her own!

Don't encourage her.......2003-12-14

I've heard one cut of this CD on the radio -- I know that my Redeemer liveth -- and it is without a doubt the worst recording I have ever heard. Siberry's entire take on the piece is just plain wrong, and to make matters worse, her intonation is awful in places and she seems to have no idea what she is singing about, especially when she sings "and when worms destroy this body". I cringe when I think of her doing "How beautiful are the feet". Jane, leave the Messiah arias to those who can sing well, and in tune, and the world will be a better place.

A True Spiritual.......2003-12-12

I just saw Jane perform this collection of music here in Calgary Live at the UofC and it was truly a moving experience especially at this time of the year when everyone makes their seasonal homage to the Nutcracker. Anyway I bought the cd there and have been listening to it all morning mesmerized by the uplifting moments it creates that take you on a collaborative journey with Jane and the other players. Each track is so incredible thoughtful in honouring its inspirations, and sincerely thankful for the places the pieces have brought the artist.

The liner notes are extensive and provide the evolutionary flow through the ages of the pieces. There is a sense that in the midst of all the extraordinary loveliness Jane weaves around you musically, that she is having a really good time, at moments its simply playful.

Tracks:

How Beautiful Are The Feet
Sheep May Safely Graze
A Star Shall Rise Up From Jacob
I Know That My Redeemer Liveth
Lo, How A Rose E'er Blooming
In The Bleak Midwinter
Jesus Christ the Apple Tree
Break Forth O Beauteous Heavenly Light
If God Be For Us

Album Description

Building on an international reputation as one of the great creators and innovators in contemporary music, Jane Siberry goes a step farther this winter with the release of SHUSHAN the Palace (Hymns of Earth). SHUSHAN features Jane and her collaborators transforming the works of Bach, Handel, Mendelssohn, and other classical and traditional sacred songs, with Jane's gorgeous voice supported by strings, horns, woodwinds, and lush vocal harmonies.

SHUSHAN the Palace started life as an album of Christmas songs, what Jane described as "an interesting and hopefully beautiful alternative to traditional holiday aural fare," and it still serves that purpose. It has, however, evolved in the hands of its creator into something more—a brilliant interpretation of some of the key works of Western music. A number of songs on the CD are from Handel's Messiah, including "I Know That My Redeemer Liveth," "If God Be For Us," and "How Beautiful Are The Feet." Bach's "Sheep May Safely Graze" and a new version of "In The Bleak Midwinter," previously recorded by Jane on her 1997 CD Child: Music for the Christmas Season, are other highlights. Siberry breathes new life into these centuries-old songs, returning to them the power and passion they possessed at birth.

Music Album:

Music Album