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Beauty Has Grace

Jaci Velasquez - Beauty Has Grace Audio CD

A fair review of the Jaci Velasquez "Beauty Has Grace" Audio CD. Please note that the below review is the views of the authors, and authors only. You can get a complete list of all Jaci Velasquez reviews here, or go back to the Jaci Velasquez tabs.

Band: Jaci Velasquez
Title: Beauty Has Grace
Rating:

Release Date: 2005-05-03
Media: Audio CD

Tracks: 1: I'm Not Looking Down 2: With All My Soul 3: Prayer to Love 4: Lay It Down 5: Something Beautiful 6: Tonight 7: When You Hold Me 8: Reason to Believe 9: Supernatural 10: This Love

Time is running in reverse

Over the years, I have seen Jaci evolve. Beauty Has Grace

I have been a fan of Jaci's music for at least ten years, maybe longer, but who's really counting? I have owned just about every album this girl has made, with the exception of a few special editions or compilation albums with various other artists included. Her voice gets stronger, or her hair gets shorter. . . you know, the kind of things a true fan will note. Anyway, when Jaci stepped away from the spotlight to pursue her personal life (hubby no. 1), I as well as countless other fans wondered what her next move would be. Beauty Has Grace was the answer to that question.

Caught up in a new life, and a new world view, Jaci let herself be swept up into a brave new existence. It's true that she also suffered a lot of pain throughout those times, too, but she's proven herself to be resilient time and again.

Beauty Has Grace is a product of that time. So much new musical territory was explored. I feel, after listening to this album incessantly since it's release, that Jaci's most personal, vulnerable qualities have shown up in this work. I will be strong enough to say that for me, just me, this has been her best album yet.

Upon going back to listen to her past albums, they all seem fine to me, but in comparison they don't stand up to this one.

Perhaps it's the earthiness that Jaci exhibits in her delivery of each song, or maybe it's because this Jaci, on this album, is a new person. After all, is that what being a Christian is all about- being made new each day. This album is a refreshing look at faith through new eyes. It's a plus.

The reason for my title, though, is simply that since this album has been produced, Jaci has released a new studio album, Love Out Loud. While I applaud Jaci for finding the strength to continue in the ministry and on her career path, I cannot help but feel that her career may have been better impacted if this album had been slated as her recent "comeback" album, rather than Love Out Loud.

Listen to this album with an open mind and clear perspective, and you'll see what I mean.

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One of the best cd's ever.
Although it has 10 songs, this ceartainly is not a cheesy christian cd. I bought it when it came in stores and thought it was awesome, and it still is! A great comeback for Jaci Velasquez. It's fun, upbeat, and has touching songs. I really enjoyed it, and still listen to it from time to time. .

Beauty Has Grace
But after listening to the songs a few times I began hearing that truly beauty has grace. I'll be the first to admit when I heard Beauty Has Grace for the first time I hated it. The lyrics and the haunting melodies were simply something beautiful. I've been a Jaci fan ever since her album Unspoken, so this album had a lot to live up to, but I think it did; of course, in a different way. Sure, her voice is more raw, raspy and breathy, but I feel this what makes the album stand out from her other albums. It shows real emotions through every song. I can relate to every song. I truly am thankful that Jaci uses her talent to glorify the Lord. Also, show as Christians we all experience bad times, but trusting in God and giving our burdens to Him, He'll carry us through. My personal favorites are Lay It Down, With All My Soul, Tonight, When You Hold Me, and Reason To Believe!

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Underrated Masterpiece
I have a collection of about 560+ CDs. I received this CD as a gift at the time of it's release. I still consistently and regularly listen to this album. I never came close to listening to any of her previous albums like I have this one. It is different from her previous albums. It's still pop, but the radio pop sound from her previous albums (found on tracks like Center of Your Love, Unspoken, Every Time I Fall, etc. ) is not here. Jaci doesn't come out of the gates blasting her vocals just because she can, there's no cheesy background choirs, there are no filler tracks. The music has a beautiful jazz, and at times rock, influence. In every way, this album is a more mature release. The vocals, lyrics, music, all of it.

As another reviewer "CNG" stated, the vocals are constantly changing. For me, those vocals are the highlight of the album. Absolutely amazing. I apologize to any reader of this review, as I don't believe I can put into words how awesome Jaci's vocals are on this album. CNG's comments are a good start. I will say to ignore anyone who thinks Jaci was losing her voice during the recording of this album. Those parts where her vocals get that raw sound are some of the most powerful vocal moments on the album. They contribute to the rock feel of the album, as well as the overall authenticity and organic nature of the vocals. They are far from a sign of her losing her voice. If they are, then Amy Grant must have been really struggling in the 80's as she had some raw vocal parts for some of her more rock oriented songs from that era.

Back on track, the organic aspect of her vocals carries over into the rest of the album. The music is very organic and easily grows on you with repeated listens, which is probably why I'm still listening. These songs, and I do mean the entire album, are just alive and real - and each song flows into the next. Even her slower serious songs from previous albums, like On My Knees, seem forced when compared to the songs here. Clearly, recording in London benefited her as an artist immensely and I hope she returns, or seeks out yet another fresh influence, for a follow up album. .

Astonishing
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. I've never been a real big fan of Jaci. 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.

You can see a complete list of all Jaci Velasquez discography, or go back to the Jaci Velasquez tabs. There is also a good guide on how to read guitar tabs here.