Bethany Dillon - So Far: The Acoustic Sessions

Bethany Unplugged Meets Bethany Unhyped - And Better For It

This is a better-than-average "unplugged" offering by one of CCM's young stars on the rise. And as the name implies ("So Far: The Acoustic Sessions"), it's a kind of "greatest hits thus far" collection for her, featuring several of her most popular songs to date including my favorites "All I Need", "Beautiful" and "Dreamer".

Many of her strengths - her voice and guitar style - are enhanced here. A previous reviewer mentioned that she was "overproduced" at times - I'd agree, or at least amend that comment by saying she seems to particularly shine with less production as heard here in this CD.

That said, there are a couple of qualifications. If you've not been a Bethany Dillon fan in the past, you won't like this CD either. It isn't a "new" Bethany, but simply a "stripped down" Bethany, in terms of production. And if you tend to not like artists to "mess with success", you probably won't like this CD either. It definitely "messes with" her success in terms of how her albums have sounded/been produced previously.

I'd agree this is Dillon at her best - her voice and guitar style are strong and it takes that kind of strength to sound engaging (rather than somehow empty) on an unplugged offering. Bethany Dillon not only succeeds at engaging us, she seems to thrive in the setting.

So, grab a cup of coffee and a good book and let this play in the background - I think you'll like it!
October 23, 2008

Incredible album

I've seen her perform solo/acoustic live beofre and the intimacy of that style is well captured here. She is well suited to this type of work and I prefer it to her more typically produced work. May 10, 2008

Disappointed

I was greatly disappointed that I bought this Cd. Having the songs played in a somewhat different version, didn't do the songs any justice.
Bethany's original versions to these songs were much better the way they were. She sang the songs with much more conviction and emotion like in "Awaking", and "Imaginations" than she did in this Cd. Bethany has a beautiful voice and the acoustic guitar music is wonderful, but someone should have steered her to stick with her original versions and select a better addtional song or two on this Cd than what was chosen. After having listened to the Cd, it didn't leave me inspired or lifted up.
I was hoping for some brand new songs that she wrote or had someone write for her and was left disappointed. Hopefully, her next Cd will be pack a powerful punch. Also, I hope to see more promising music coming from this artist in the future. April 5, 2008

Amazing!

I love Bethany Dillon and I've always thought it was especially amazing when she sings acoustic, so this is perfect :) Her voice is like nothing I've ever heard, give it a try! I also say that if "For My Love" had been included, it would have been even better April 4, 2008

THE WAY BETHANY SHOULD BE!!!

I have always thought Bethany Dillon was given a rare gift -- the combination of a distinctive, powerful voice and well above average songwriting and acoustic guitar playing abilities. I have also always thought she was OVER-produced. Now, we have an opportunity to hear her at her best. The instrumentation is spare, but like a good spice, enhances the flavor of each vocal offering on this CD and makes this set an absolute auditory treat. The production is clean and clear and dynamically honest. I can only hope this project represents a future direction for this talented, gifted, and gracious artist. By the way, if they had included "For My Love" and "You Are On Our Side" (plus one more Beatles tune), I would have found a way to give this 7+ stars! April 2, 2008

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