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State of Grace | 
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| Artist: Various Artists
Label: Windham Hill Records
Category: Music
List Price: $11.98
Buy Used: $4.12
You Save: $7.86 (66%)
New (37) Used (23) from $4.12
Avg. Customer Rating:  26 reviews
Sales Rank: 14590
Media: Audio CD
Discs: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 5.4 x 4.9 x 0.3
MPN: 11565
UPC: 019341156529
EAN: 0019341156529
ASIN: B00004YBZS
Release Date: October 10, 2000
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Tracks:
| • | Veni Redemptor Gentium | | • | Amazing Grace | | • | Miserere | | • | Veni Creator Spiritus | | • | Auguries of Innocence, Pt. 1 | | • | Auguries of Innocence, Pt. 2 | | • | Be Still My Soul | | • | Angelica | | • | Simple Gifts | | • | State of Grace |
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| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.com
Producer and composer Paul Schwartz thanks many people on State of Grace, but there is one notable exclusion: the 12th-century nun Hildegard von Bingen. Although these aren't her compositions, echoes of her ecstatic hymns and sequences resound throughout Schwartz's latest electronica-classical opus. He composes his own 21st-century gothic chants, which are sung by the impassioned soprano Lisbeth Scott. Scott is a powerful singer who brings a more emotional, perhaps even lustful, tone to these electro-Gregorian evocations, gliding over synthesizer ministrations and violin from the durable Gavyn Wright. Paul Schwartz was also responsible for the Aria CDs, on which he updated operatic arias with dance beats. State of Grace benefits from the less oppressive rhythmic regimentation, letting these soaring melodies ring out. When Schwartz deviates from his gothic inspirations, State of Grace flags, notably on a predictable rendition of "Amazing Grace," a misguided Celtic take on the Shaker hymn "Simple Gifts," and a trio of instrumentals. --John Diliberto
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| Customer Reviews: Read 21 more reviews...
 Bliss September 21, 2007
My youngest son was recently deployed to Iraq...the selection, "Be Still My Soul," has created a beautiful, peaceful place in my heart and spirit that provides a sense of peace and comfort. Lisbeth Scott's voice is angelic! She brings a depth of bliss that is calming...which radiates from her sweet voice, providing a magnificent place for solitude and prayer. I adore her...and appreciate her and this beautiful song more than she will ever know.
best new age to date August 25, 2007
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Paul Schwartz recordings in all three State of Grace albums are very well composed and orchestrated. The voice of Lisbeth Scott is angellic and the chorus performs flawlessly. You'll want to listen again and again and again. I highly recommend this item.
Similar to Mehdi??? June 13, 2007
1 out of 13 found this review helpful
I had to laugh at the tag "similar to Mehdi"...that's like saying the Beach Boys are similar to the Monkees....
For a while this CD never left my rotation, and I play a lot of music. I still get a quick thrill of anticipation when I run across it in my stacks of CDs, and decide to play it again.
This is spiritual music, true, but it is modern vocal/electronica as much as anything. It has a beat, it has soul, it is full-toned and gorgeous. But not too sweet, as the female vocalist puts grit into the tunes. Don't be put off by "Amazing Grace": yes, its that song, but not like you've ever heard it before. The arrangements add a new feel, and counterpoint the melody in an interesting and new way. All the "familiar songs" are like that: e.g. "Gift to be Simple (AKA Lord of the dance, the Shaker song)". The original works are similarly wonderful. You will be amazed.
Paul Schwarz has found a niche that I hope he never leaves. If he can continue to match the quality, beauty, composition and orchestration on this effort, he will become one of my top favorite artists of all time. (Other artists I enjoy: Enigma, Mark O'Conner, David Arkenstone, Acoustic Alchemy, Lesiem, Mars Lasar, Secret Garden, Bela Fleck, Moby, Bill Douglas, Dave Grusin, Fourplay, David Benoit, Angels of Venice, Loreena Mckennit, Andreas Vollenweider to name a very few. Mehdi is OK to go to sleep to.)
The best of Lizbeth Scott and Paul Schwartz May 28, 2007
I was totally hooked on this style of music after hearing this CD. It is incredibly deep and beautiful and lyrical and just the kind of music that brings ancient language and sounds to the 21st century. I have all of the music that Lizbeth Scott records - she is a very good writer of her own contemporary style of music. The entire State of Grace series is incredible but this one is my absolute favorite. Right behind this is Aria 2.
Amazing !!!! May 14, 2007
I too checked a copy of this out of my local library! I put it in my car stereo and rocketed down the interstate but soon had to pull over. I was crying uncontrollably! I could not believe how beautiful Lizabeth's voice was!
I took my copy to a friend of mine, who has a B&O system and played the masterpiece for him. He was positively blown away and plays his copy every night.
I just bought a copy of the disc along with the second version, which I am listening to now.
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