So pronounced is Bruce Cockburn's reputation as a celebrated singer-songwriter that it's easy to overlook the fact that Cockburn is also an exceptional guitarist. Speechless should change all that. A collection of previously recorded and brand new instrumental tracks, the album puts the spotlight squarely on Cockburn's brilliant acoustic guitar playing. Despite its absence of words, Speechless is highly expressive. Ranging from some of his earliest numbers to three recent compositions, the album showcases the breadth of Cockburn's eclectic guitar style. There's a strong cinematic quality to much of the album, whether it's in pieces from the 1970s like the haunting "Islands in a Black Sky" and the cascading "Water into Wine," or else in 1990s instrumentals such as the emotional "When It's Gone It's Gone" and the ambient "Mistress of Storms."
Speechless,Bruce Cockburn,Rounder Records,Adult Alternative Pop/Rock,Canada,Contemporary Folk,Guitar,Pop,Rock,Rock/Pop,Singer/Songwriter,Structured Improvisation
Speechless
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Speechless
Steven Curtis Chapman Manufacturer: Sparrow ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B00000J6BZ Release Date: 1999-06-15 |
Tracks:
- Dive
- Speechless
- The Change
- Great Expectations
- Next 5 Minutes
- Fingerprints Of God
- The Invitation
- Whatever
- I Do Believe
- What I Really Want To Say
- With Hope
- The Journey
- Be Still And Know
Amazon.com
If he wasn't on your list before, you better add Steven Curtis Chapman to your contemporary Christian music (CCM) superstar group. Speechless, Chapman's 11th album in his 12-year career, reaches new heights and testifies to a songwriting brilliance that is almost unmatched. This album will undoubtedly increase Chapman's score of 29 No. 1 hit CCM singles. For the first time, the ebullient singer/songwriter has made a record with his touring band (instead of with studio musicians) and the tightness and familiarity shows. The opening "Dive" (Chumbawamba fans will love the chorus here), "Speechless," and "Fingerprints of God" are its strongest moments; then there's the deeply moving and emotional tribute "With Hope," an ode Chapman wrote for close friends who have lost children and are struggling to find a reason to live. Top-line producer Brown Bannister enables Chapman's beautiful release, evidenced by the final track, "Be Still and Know," which features a lengthy symphonic introduction. At this level, you can't expect dramatic departures from what has worked so well, but what you get here is the work of an artist who is perfecting his muse. Buy this today! --Michael LyttleCustomer Reviews:
Steven Curtis Chapman at his best.......2007-06-20
You gotta have this one!.......2007-05-18
life forever! But, wait there's more...I have bought about 14 copies for other people and each and every person was moved and changed by this work.
The best way to put it is:This is not just a CD, it is a life-changing CD.
The songs make it hard to pick "a favorite" because they all sing to our souls and hearts.
Someone just tell me how you can listen to this work and not be making the listener debate among themselves as to which song is their favorite!
My favorite CD.......2007-04-11
Another Awesome Album.......2007-04-07
Thank you SCC keep it up.
great expectations, met again.......2006-12-28
Fortunate the ears that hear.
The title track 'Speechless' is convincing precisely because Chapman seems not to be telling an old tale for the thousandth time but rather narrating his own trek higher up and deeper in. This, nothing else, is what explains the particularly appreciative nuance of his loyal fan base. They come back time and again, aware that Chapman will not be where he was. But neither has he forgotten where he came from, who he is, and that others are listening in.
It may be just my impression, but the band sounds tighter, more revved-up, more bought-in than ever. Yet Chapman has always inspired the musicians he fronts.
Chapman is not the servant of a tame religion. If he colors himself speechless in the title track, in 'Great Expectations' he professes to be near to places 'that I know so well", then:
'But dare I go where I don't understand
And do I dare remember where I am
I stand before the great eternal throne
The one that God Himself is seated on
And I, I've been invited as a son
Oh I, I've been invited to come and ...
Believe the unbelievable
Receive the inconceivable
And see beyond my wildest imagination
Lord, I come with great expectations'
This artist's narrated experience is dynamic rather than static, derivative rather than self-generated, horizon-moving rather than consolidating. Like the Psalms, in the track just cited Chapman moves from 'I' to 'We've been invited to come.' As an artist - the ancient biblical poets understood this well - Chapman is aware of the vocation of giving away his personal experience in order to provide words and, in his case, melodies to the worshipping community.
Chapman has always been a master of rhythm. This album is no exception, giving us as it does the complex and beguiling 'Next Five Minutes'. This track would leave its close listener bored or weary if it did not flow rhythmically with such organic ease, a perfect cooperation between drums and acoustic guitar laying down a track adequate for Chapman's voice to dance around it with an almost perfect storm of glee.
Yet Chapman is able to slow it down with similar dexterity, as the mournful ode to a lost child shows ('With Hope'). Chapman inserts an orchestral interlude called 'The Journey'--there's actually an *oboe* in there--before shutting things down with 'Be Still and Know', an altogether fitting bookend to the opener on a CD that is after all called 'Speechless'.
The biblical theologian Walter Brueggemann titled one of his works 'Abiding Astonishment'. The title could do double duty here. Worship, astonishment, speechlessness, exuberance, and finally solemnity and stillness. Steven Curtis Chapman has lost not a step.
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Speechless
Bruce Cockburn Manufacturer: Rounder Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B000ASDG80 Release Date: 2005-09-27 |
Tracks:
- Foxglove
- Train In The Rain
- Water Into Wine
- Elegy
- Mistress Of Storms
- Rouler Sa Bosse
- Salt Sun And Time
- Islands In A Black Sky
- Rise And Fall
- Sunrise On The Mississippi
- King Kong Goes To Tallahassee
- When It's Gone, It's Gone
- Deep Lake
- The End Of All Rivers
- Sunwheel Dance
Album Description
So pronounced is Bruce Cockburn's reputation as a celebrated singer-songwriter that it's easy to overlook the fact that Cockburn is also an exceptional guitarist. Speechless should change all that. A collection of previously recorded and brand new instrumental tracks, the album puts the spotlight squarely on Cockburn's brilliant acoustic guitar playing. Despite its absence of words, Speechless is highly expressive. Ranging from some of his earliest numbers to three recent compositions, the album showcases the breadth of Cockburn's eclectic guitar style. There's a strong cinematic quality to much of the album, whether it's in pieces from the 1970s like the haunting "Islands in a Black Sky" and the cascading "Water into Wine," or else in 1990s instrumentals such as the emotional "When It's Gone It's Gone" and the ambient "Mistress of Storms."Customer Reviews:
A few really great tracks.......2007-01-19
Nice. Like Leo Kottke with more melody and feeling........2006-07-07
Bruce recorded a jazzy electric instrumental, Radio Days, for the Inner City Front album, but this does not appear on Speechless -- probably for the best. Also missing is a sentimental favorite of mine, Deer Dancing Around A Broken Mirror from his live Circles In The Stream record. Strangely, the short but sweet instrumentals from his Christmas CD are also missing.
Bruce recorded three new tunes for this album. I've heard them, and if you have Bruce's back catalog, these new songs are not sufficient to justify the CD purchase.
If you are new to Cockburn, I would still recommend going back to the beginning, and picking up his 1970s and 1980s albums, starting with Dancing In The Dragon's Jaws, which has no instrumental pieces, but does have some ravishingly beautiful acoustic guitar playing nevertheless. Then you'll have most if not all of the older songs that appear on this CD.
I love Bruce Cockburn, but I think his guitar playing is best appreciated in the context it originally appeared -- as a backing instrument for his vocals, and occasionally as a solo voice on instrumental pieces. Bruce's instrumentals are better in small doses, sandwiched in between his other fine songs.
Still, this is fine work, and if you only want "speechless" Cockburn, this album is just the ticket for you.
Speechless.......2006-02-25
something great for the new year.......2006-01-10
With all that said, Bruce Cockburn is easily one of the best guitarists out there so the music is still top form. This would be a great introduction for someone who perhaps isn't bowled over by introspective lyrics or is more inclined to the `giants` of jazz or folk guitar (Pat Metheny or Bert Jansch spring to mind) Secondly, even though it's tagged as an instrumental album Cockburn is speaking very clearly through his guitar. The older pieces such as Foxglove, Rouler Sa Bosse and Islands In A Black Sky hold together well and the `new` tracks prove that he hasn't lost any of his old form. A worthy addition to yours or a friends collection.
if you don't have these, it's good; but for aficionados, what?.......2005-12-28
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Speechless
The Kelly Richey Band Manufacturer: Sweet Lucy Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B000GIXIDW Release Date: 2006-08-15 |
Tracks:
- One Day We'll Feel the Sun
- Is There Any Reason
- Only the Bird Knows
- Climb the Highest Mountain
- Stand Alone
- And I Sing
- Longest Road
- Without a Trace
- If I Could Fly
Customer Reviews:
speechless explains it best!.......2007-02-10
Do yourself a favor. Buy this CD!!!!.......2006-10-25
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The Juliana Theory / Dawson High (Split CD)
Manufacturer: Arise Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD ASIN: B000ESRLP0 |
Product Description
Track Listing: The Juliana Theory: 1. D.J. 2. Speechless 3. Pictures, Stars, and Dreams 4. Infatuation 5. Week Long Embrace Dawson High: 6. Just A Fan 7. I Didn't Mean To Break Your Heart 8. Port Matilda 9. Nice Boy 10. Goodnight Starlight
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Speechless
Liz Story Manufacturer: Novus ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B000008L6Q Release Date: 1990-10-25 |
Tracks:
- Forgiveness
- Frog Park
- Welcome Home
- Hermes Dance
- Speechless
- Back Porch
- Vigil
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Speechless
Mish Mash Manufacturer: Data UK ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD ASIN: B000EMTHA8 Release Date: 2006-04-17 |
Tracks:
- Edit
- Seamus Haji Edit
- Soul Avengerz Remix
- King Unique Remix
- Cicada Remix
- Extended
Album Description
If you've spent any time in the vicinity of a discotheque recently, you'll immediately know Speechless. Containing more booty than Beyonce's back end; enough funk to backcomb Sly Stone's afro; and more glamour-hugging disco than Bianca Jagger and her white horse could ever have handled, it's already played forward-thinking club heads. In 2006, thanks to a mighty push by Data, who have chosen Speechless to mark their release centenary, it's aiming for the hit parade jugular. Mish Mash consists of Oscar Fullone, one of Scotland's original acid house converts, Kasper Winding, a classically trained musical prodigy hailing from Denmark and Lois Norbye who hails from Copenhagen, with a background that takes in ballet dancing and performing as a singer and actress in Denmark and beyond. Early radio support has come from Pete Tong (Essential New Tune and in his top 10 of last year), Annie Mac and Jo Whiley. The video has created so much interest that The Box have added it 7 weeks upfront of release! Remixes come from Sandy Rivera, Cicada, King Unique and Soul Avengerz. Pinnuk.2006Album Details
Remixes Come from Sandy Rivera, Cicada, King Unique and Soul Avengerz.Customer Reviews:
Solid disco pop.......2006-04-18
I love this song in it's shortened form. Both the radio edit and the Seamus Haji radio edit (which features not one, but two dramatic build-ups) are stellar, in my opinion. It's the longer remixes that tend to...fail. It it's extended form, one can get bored with this song. Unless you do something exciting to keep the momentum, the style of this music does eventually grate on their ears, even with Lois' beautiful voice. So I can't possibly give this single a 5 star rating because the remixes are just...subpar.
But, the single gives you access to the AMAZING video. The video is colorful, sexy and well-done. You'll understand my reference to Goldfrapp after you've watched the video.
I recommend this to fans of disco, house, and pop. But if you're a clubhead, perhaps you should go find something less interesting.
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Speechless
Albert Lee Manufacturer: Edsel Records UK ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B0000011XO Release Date: 1998-02-10 |
Tracks:
- T-Bird To Vegas
- Bullish Boogie
- Seventeenth Summer
- Salt Creek
- Arkansas Traveller
- Cannonball
- Romany Rye
- Erin
Customer Reviews:
80s New Age Country Sound.......2002-10-01
The master of the telecaster (and more).......2001-10-09
Refreshing and Cool.......2001-08-30
jimmy and albert.......2000-10-07
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Open Your Mouth for the Speechless...
A Life Once Lost Manufacturer: Robotic Empire ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B00022LJII Release Date: 2004-06-01 |
Tracks:
- Joan Said Please
- This Is What She Calls Home
- The Introduction
- Almost Perfect But I Failed
- Gentle & Elegant
- A Falls River Farewell
- Everything Becomes Still
- Just Beore His Crucifixion
- Why Do You Make Be Bleed
- Prepare Yourself For What Is About To Come
- The Tide
- The Dead Sea
Customer Reviews:
Terrible Vocals.......2005-11-28
The only reason i give this album any stars is because i love the guitar riff in the first song "Joan said Please", and because i like the bands name...
So, take my advice, Pass up this album and just buy Hunter.
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Speechless
Jack Schantz Manufacturer: Azica ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD ASIN: B000005R7J Release Date: 1995-10-31 |
Tracks:
- My Romance
- Speechless
- American the Beautiful
- Lennie's Pennies
- It Never Entered My Mind
- Hot House
- Amazing Grace
- Without a Song
- Moose the Mooche
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Search
Manufacturer: Speechless ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD ASIN: B000CA2TPM Release Date: 2003-06-24 |
Tracks:
- The Search
- Two
- Romantic Blues
- 2 Days
- Chapter 9
- X-Static Song
- Folks
- The Eye's Have It
- Morrison's
- Detente
Rap Music:
- Stand Up [DualDisc]
- Stories of a Stranger
- Tapestry [Extra tracks] [Original recording remastered]
- The Bee Gees - Their Greatest Hits: The Record
- The East Village Opera Company
- The Forgotten Arm
- The Living Room Tour [Live]
- The Magic Numbers
- The Ultimate Collection
- The Very Best of Chicago: Only the Beginning
Recommended Music:
Kill All Hippies-Punk Sampler [Import]
Parisian Plainchant - Mass For Christmas Day / Peres, Ensemble Organum
Rebajadas Sonideras (CD & DVD)
Rock and Roll Generation, Vol. 2