CD REVIEW: Beth Schafer - Raise It Up Bring It Down
By Don Sechelski - 04/23/2010 - 07:51 PM EDT
Artist: Beth Schafer Album: Raise It Up Bring It Down Label: Inner Sanctum Music Website:http://bethschafer.com Genre: Acoustic Rock, Singer-Songwriter Technical Grade: 10/10 Production/Musicianship Grade: 10/10 Overall Talent Level: 10/10 Songwriting Skills: 10/10 Best Songs: Innocent Things, Im Ein Ani Li Mi Li CD Review:
There is a spiritual joy to Beth Schafer’s new CD Raise It Up Bring It Down. It’s
reflected in the feel good lyric as well as the bright, easily accessible melodies
and arrangements. Produced by Schafer
and long time associate, John Marsden, Raise
It Up Bring It Down is a warm, uplifting, and very listenable CD.
Schafer, on vocals and guitar, is joined by Marsden on
vocals, keys, and melodic, while Bill “Giff” Gifford plays bass and a little
electric guitar. John Demarkis contributes some vocals, drums, and electric
guitar. Larry Hoppen plays electric guitar also and is joined by Charlie
DeChant on Saxcello.
The first cut, Raise
It Up, exemplifies the spirit of the CD. In this bouncy rocker, Schafer
exhorts the listener to “Raise it up, raise the bar higher” and raise all
mankind in the process. Schafer’s strong vocal is backed by a chorus in a hymn-like
finish. Innocent Things gives Schafer
an opportunity to show some nice acoustic guitar finger picking as she sings a
beautiful song about the sweetness of innocence. DeChant’s saxcello is the
perfect counterpoint to Schafer’s clean guitar.
Schafer covers Cohen’s classic Hallelujah admirably but it’s her own songs that really stand out
on Raise It Up Bring It Down. Im Ein Ani Li Mi Li is a delightful song
that illustrates not only Schafer’s Jewish American sensibility, but her openness
to life and the fellowship of man. Modim
Anachnu Lach is a joyful song of praise and thanksgiving that features some
very hot guitar lead from Schafer on a nylon string guitar.
Raise It Up Bring It
Down is a wonderful offering from Beth Schafer. Heartfelt, refreshing,
unabashed joy shines from every track. Although her website identifies Schafer as a
Jewish American artist, her music is universal, her themes are the stuff of
life. I recommend Beth Schafer and Raise It Up Bring It Down.
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