Search - Jane Siberry :: Shushan the Palace: Hymns of Earth

Pretty, but unsatisfying

William Merrill | San Antonio, TX United States | 02/04/2004

(3 out of 5 stars)

"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!"

Jane, we hardly knew ye

KEVIN C. DELAHANTY | Newburyport, MA United States | 06/15/2004

(3 out of 5 stars)

"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!"

A haunting diversion for Siberry

Luna Stormcrow | NY, USA | 03/31/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I think that Ms. Siberry deserves the utmost respect and applause for this musical diversion Sushan the Palace: Hymns of Earth. I was not sure what to expect, based on other reviews, but being a Siberry fan for many, many years, I was not disappointed. I was afraid that she would try to fit her musical style to these imposing and timeless Hymns. Instead, she has created a wondrous blend of her own style with the more classical veins running through and around her amazing and at times childlike voice. What this evokes is the wonder of childhood upon its first consciousness of something greater than any of us. To me, it is a loving, musical enfoldment of the earth and her inhabitants. Though the hymns are in the main Christian, it makes no matter, because her haunting approach to them carries one far beyond any parochial meanings or history. BRAVO JANE!"