"A Celebration of Enduring Relationships"
T. Carr | Plano, TX USA | 06/20/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
""A Place in Every Heart" is music celebrating meaningful, enduring relationships in our lives. Each selection is a fresh, imaginative, and captivating arrangement in Mary Beth's style of piano performance accompanied by world class musicians on violin, cello, guitar, woodwinds, and occasional light percussion.
Each time Mary Beth releases a new CD, I feel that this is the ultimate CD. There will be no way that she will ever top this. And then she releases a new CD and once again she surpasses her own high standards of excellence. She has done that once again with "A Place in Every Heart".
The title song "A Place in Every Heart" is an original composition by Mary Beth and may be her best composition to date. I find myself listening to the song over and over again. And the lyrics, although only included in the CD liner notes, are very touching. What a beautiful piece of music she has created!!!
Right along side of "A Place in Every Heart", however, is "When You Smile", also an original composition. It is very beautiful and has a catchy melody to it. It is certainly destined to be one of my all time favorites of her compositions. I am by no means any kind of "music expert" but I feel that Mary Beth's two original songs on this CD are her best works to date.
The CD includes 14 additional numbers which are certain to bring back memories for you. Memories of special times, special places, and most importantly, of the special people who have touched your life.
In June, 1964, I had recently met a special person in my life --- someone who one day would be my wife. I started to hear a new young singer named Barbra Streisand on the radio singing a song called "People". I think that is the first song I can remember where the words really had a big impact on me: "people, people who need people, are the luckiest people in the world...." And I knew how lucky I was to have a very special person in my life. Every time I heard that song over the summer, I had very special feelings in my heart.
Mary Beth's arrangement of "People" is wonderful. It brings back such wonderful memories to me and I am sure it will do the same for many others.
"That's What Friends Are For" gives me a feeling of comfort and love as I listen to Mary Beth play --- exactly the feeling I get when I think of a good friend.
"The Wind Beneath My Wings" is another song which brings back thoughts of special persons and times in my life. While this song may have been recorded quite extensively over the years, Mary Beth's arrangement is very original and special.
"You Raise Me Up" is especially inspirational. Once again, her interpretation of the song is outstanding!!! As I listen to her play, I find my spirits being lifted even though I'm not as familiar with the words to this song as I am to many others Mary Beth has recorded. There is something special in the way she plays that inspires.
I absolutely love Mary Beth's arrangement of "Dream A Little Dream Of Me". It starts out so quietly and then she gradually picks up the tempo. I love Mary Beth's up-tempo music and this one fits the bill.
I could go on about all the wonderful music in this CD. Familiar songs like "You've Got a Friend", "Bridge Over Troubled Water", "You Are My Sunshine" / "The Sunshine of My Life" all bring back special memories.
Yes, another wonderful collection of Mary Beth Carlson's music to "relax, refresh, inspire" and so much more. These songs will remind you of those dear who fill your heart with happiness and turn your night into day.
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Track Listings (16) - Disc #1