Amazing Grace

Mystified

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Description

Nothing fancy....sung a capella start to finish.
Recorded this a month or so ago and decided to post it up.
* * * * * * *
Something brought up in Cameron's post that I'd like to get your comments on as you listen:
The half-step rise in pitch between the second and third verse is intentional, but is it too jarring or distracting?
I'd like to know your opinion, as I might rerecord it, staying in the original key throughout.

song art ©2004 arturo

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Lyrics

traditional

Song Stats

Hits: 10738
Comments: 64
Fans: 19
Plays: 5041
Downloads: 972
Votes:
Uploaded: Sep 12, 2005 - 09:34:20 AM
Last Updated: Sep 13, 2005 - 05:51:46 PM Last Played: Nov 23, 2009 - 01:55:00 PM

Song License

Creative Commons License:
Attribution-NoDerivs-NonCommercial

Song Actions

Hardware:

Behringer B-1 Condenser Mic
M-Audio Mobile Pre USB
Mac Mini 1.42 GHz

Software:

GarageBand 2
JamPack 4: Symphony for Master Track effects

Comments

Tom Atwood

Tom Atwood said 1534 days ago (September 12th, 2005)

Effortless, soaring, uplifting
All I can do is chastise you for not sharing this gift (your voice) with the world sooner. You hid your light under a bushel too long, Moses! This is a very difficult song to sing well, Cat, and not sound like Judy Collins or a thousand others who have sung it. You sounded like Mystified: sweet, intimate, clear and extremely on pitch. A joy to listen to this.

Check out my latest song called Keep Looking for Jesus (MJRF)

Mystified

Mystified said 1533 days ago (September 13th, 2005)

Effortless, soaring, uplifting
Bushel....hiding.....where?

Thanks, Tom, for your gentle reprimand and your very kind words.
I'm sure that this song has personal meaning or memories to everyone who cherishes it in some way. I first sang this song publicly (and a capella, too) at my sister-in-law's mother's funeral, on short notice.
I will admit that I'd not heard many recorded versions of it--and so I came to its interpretation in thinking of that funeral service and how I wanted to give a message of comfort and peace to the family.
This recording is much how I sang it that day, several years ago now.
I'm glad that you find it soaring and uplifting. For me, it's one of the nicest compliments I can receive.
Thanks, again.

Check out my latest song called For the Beauty of the Earth

drakonis	drakonis said 1534 days ago (September 12th, 2005)
	ooooh, basking in Myst... Very pretty, emotive take on this... I like your vocal embellishments, tasteful reverb... bu tmostly the sparseness of this is chilling and captivating, and your building from the initial light hum to the strongly-sung words was great. Stirring. ttfn, Drakonis Check out my latest song called Lullaby for the Inner Child

Mystified	Mystified said 1533 days ago (September 13th, 2005)
	ooooh, basking in Myst... Thanks, Drak. One of the joys of singing is to be able to express such feelings as this song conveys. I very much appreciate your comments, as always :) Check out my latest song called For the Beauty of the Earth

	said 1534 days ago (September 12th, 2005)
	Timeless spiritual.... performed beautifully. Reminiscent of Joan Baez (at Woodstock I think), yet quite different. Your soft vocal touch and the non-hurriedness of the singing allow me to linger on the meaning of the words. D/L-d... thanks. Jack

Mystified	Mystified said 1533 days ago (September 13th, 2005)
	Timeless spiritual.... Thanks, Jack. I appreciate your comments on this song very much, and am glad to know you downloaded it to listen again. :) Check out my latest song called For the Beauty of the Earth

Einarus	Einarus said 1534 days ago (September 12th, 2005)
	wow Beautiful. Not much more to say, really... Check out my latest song called Good Things Come in Fours

Mystified	Mystified said 1532 days ago (September 13th, 2005)
	wow Thank you, Einarus :) I appreciate that. Check out my latest song called For the Beauty of the Earth

Cameron

Cameron said 1534 days ago (September 12th, 2005)

courageous and powerful
It is no easy feat to bring off an "a capella" performance
like this with the conviction, sweetness and power that
you exhibit here.

Your voice is lovely, and your phrasing is expressive. You
take your time and allow the notes to unfold beautifully.

A couple of very minor things: the vox was just on this
side of distorting a couple of times; you may want to take
the level down a tiny bit.

The last third of the vocals was slightly higher in pitch
than the rest of the song. As I said, it is no easy task to
sing a capella and you have done a great job with this
song, but it is so very important to watch the pitch on
something like this.

Very heartfelt and beautiful performance, Mysti!

Check out my latest song called EPONYM

Mystified

Mystified said 1534 days ago (September 12th, 2005)

courageous and powerful
Cameron,
Thanks so much for your comments!
I'm going to take a moment to reply to you right now, because where you noted that the last verse of the song went up in pitch...it did. A half step, to be precise.
That was done on purpose, and I did check pitch at the end of recording to make sure I had stayed to them properly (This was one take from start to finish).

It's something I've done often in hymn singing to vary the repetition a little in multiple verses. But in a capella there's nothing to cue the listener in that you're doing it...
Should it, therefore, be avoided? (just wondering, as it sounded like a 'mistake')

Thanks for your comments, Cameron :)

Check out my latest song called For the Beauty of the Earth

Cameron

Cameron said 1534 days ago (September 12th, 2005)

courageous and powerful
Cat, thank you for being open to my comments.

I think that a modulation to a higher key on the last verse is absolutely fine,
but it might be good to go a full step higher rather than a half-step, or even
further away if possible.

For example, a typical modulation would go from the key of C to F. The last
note of the phrase (C) would then become the pick-up note to the new key of
F. See what I mean?

On this track, the first several notes of the key change were higher in pitch
than the previous section, but then in subsequent notes your voice gradually
settled downwards in pitch, almost back down to the previous section's key.
Perhaps singing a full step higher, or a fourth higher if possible, would help
solve this.

I want to assure you that your voice sounds WONDERFUL on this track, but a
half-step modulation on an a capella performance like this is perhaps more
challenging than it really needs to be.

Thanks again for your receptivity!

Check out my latest song called EPONYM

Tom Atwood

Tom Atwood said 1534 days ago (September 12th, 2005)

courageous and powerful
I am reluctant to comment on this issue, but I have decided to go mano-a-mano with Cameron to defend Mysti's honor and virtue (and pitch) .

Cat, you sent me an a capella file a few months ago (for a possibile collab that never happened) where you did the same thing: modulated a half-step on the last verse. Made it a bear to try to figure out an acccompaniment. So, I was prepared for that in this piece. I agree with Cameron that a more traditional key change would be a full step (or even a full fourth or 5th as he suggests). But, unlike Cam, I do not hear you "settling back" into the original pitch in this piece. What I hear is a true, and very difficult, half-step modulation. No wavering. Is that the best key-change in an a capella piece? Maybe not. But it is "courageous" and I believe you pulled it off.

Now, back off, Cam! (Unless you want a piece of me?)

Check out my latest song called Keep Looking for Jesus (MJRF)

Cameron

Cameron said 1534 days ago (September 12th, 2005)

courageous and powerful
Tom, I am in no way attacking Mystified's performance or "honor and virtue"
on this; I am simply going by what I *HEAR* is happening on this track. It is
certainly not my intention to cast aspersions on her in any form or fashion.
Please do not make assumptions that I am! There is no need to come to her
"defense".

My ears are by no means infallible. I just call them as I hear them. I should
feel free to do so without have to be perceived as "attacking" anyone;
I merely offer my observations and suggestions here. Maybe this particular
observation about pitch is not perceived by anyone else. This is okay with me.

Cat can take my observations or leave them as she desires. It is no more, or
less than that. I am just trying to help.

Check out my latest song called EPONYM

Cameron	Cameron said 1534 days ago (September 12th, 2005)
	courageous and powerful NOTE TO ALL: Tom and I have just communicated by email and it turns out that his above comments were just in fun, so I over-reacted a bit. As he said to me, "That darned internet". So, all is well. Check out my latest song called EPONYM

Mystified	Mystified said 1532 days ago (September 13th, 2005)
	courageous and powerful Just a quick thanks to you both again, Cameron and Tom. :) The discussion I've had with each of you following these observations has been both helpful and interesting. I so appreciate the thoughtful comments I get from both of you--as well the support in my exploration and creation of music! Check out my latest song called For the Beauty of the Earth

beatrix	beatrix said 1532 days ago (September 14th, 2005)
	courageous and powerful well hell... I could tell he was kidding around and I don't even know him!! But yeah, damn internet haha. If only we could hear the 'typed' voice.. like we can hear the music! Love the song.. beautiful voice!!

Mystified	Mystified said 1532 days ago (September 14th, 2005)
	courageous and powerful Thank you very much, beatrix :) Check out my latest song called For the Beauty of the Earth

MissChaos

MissChaos said 1534 days ago (September 12th, 2005)

written for your voice
Cat, this is simple and lovely. Your voice trills almost make
this a Celtic rendition. And your vocal vibrato is gorgeous.
The last verse that's pitched up a half step is a nice touch...
Just as I was drifting off into a daydream about doves and
bell towers, you lift me up just a tad higher for a grander
view. Beautiful and profound.

Check out my latest song called Mama Cries - Album Version (MJRF)

Mystified

Mystified said 1532 days ago (September 14th, 2005)

written for your voice
Thanks, Miss C, for your comments.
While you say this is 'written for my voice,' I think, too, that some songs just seem to resonate with us, and this is definitely one of those songs--proven by its popularity.
I never would have considered recording my voice before I discovered GarageBand, so I'm grateful to have had the opportunity, and grateful that others here, like you, share in my joy of singing again.

Check out my latest song called For the Beauty of the Earth

SlimGirlFat	SlimGirlFat said 1534 days ago (September 12th, 2005)
	Flipping Henry To post an acapella is probably one of the hardest things for an artist to do, there is no music to hide behind.. Cat, I am in awe of your most beautiful voice. Slimmie D/L Check out my latest song called Not Enough

Mystified	Mystified said 1532 days ago (September 14th, 2005)
	Flipping Henry Thank you, Slimmie, for the kind words and encouragement. :) Check out my latest song called For the Beauty of the Earth

Peter Greenstone

Peter Greenstone said 1534 days ago (September 12th, 2005)

beautiful
Really beautiful and stirring, Mysti. I've always been a sucker
for this song. You sing it like an angel.

The key change might be a little strange in this a capella
version because there is no instrumental ramp-up like we'd
normally hear in a fully arranged version. I think that
because I am so familiar with the song that it still worked for
me because I'm used to hearing it go up like that there.

Check out my latest song called From Nothing

Mystified	Mystified said 1532 days ago (September 14th, 2005)
	beautiful Thanks so much for your thoughtful comments on this, Peter. I appreciate your taking the time to listen, and I'm glad you enjoyed this rendition. Check out my latest song called For the Beauty of the Earth

perceptualvortex	perceptualvortex said 1534 days ago (September 12th, 2005)
	Bravo! Raw talent--just amazing Mysti! Check out my latest song called Machine Man (w Beastie Boys)

Mystified	Mystified said 1532 days ago (September 14th, 2005)
	Bravo! Thank you, PV, for stopping by to listen and for commenting. :) Check out my latest song called For the Beauty of the Earth

thetiler

thetiler said 1534 days ago (September 12th, 2005)

It almost sounds like you recording in a
tiled bathroom :)

Love it!
You have a great strength doing gospel. I wish you would
do tons more.
I am now listening for the 5th time and it is as fun to
listened to as the first time I heared it, maybe more. . .
I liked when you sing "His grace" and you go way high to
end the phrase. That section felt like Celine Dion, and
you know how high she gets.

It is songs like this one that you have done, that really
bring out your special singing talent.

I can understand how the two we did, didn't bring out that
briliant southern gospel - slow - new - age - feel. You
have really inspired me to do more tunes along that line.

You brought out some of that quality in Shenandoa as
well. Those two pieces are so very pleasurable to listen to.
Even though I would love to say the tunes we did where
the best you have done. I just have to mention I think
your soul really soars doing those soft reflective pieces
whether it be gospel or similar.

Again, for my entertainment value and shear listening
enjoyment. These are the types of tunes that are highest
on my list that I hear you do. They are preceious Mysti!

I think the real treat would be to do more songs like this
with that slow soaring ability and do your harmonization
like we did on "My Way Home" !

Now that would be something special to behold!

Good going on this one, really!

Bill

Check out my latest song called The Bluebird Cafe (with two other guest)

Mystified

Mystified said 1532 days ago (September 14th, 2005)

It almost sounds like you recording in a
Wow...thank you very much for such generous praise, Tiler.
I've never considered myself a 'gospel' singer as my vocal style is much simpler. But I do like to sing spiritual, uplifting, and yes, reflective music, so I'm grateful to hear these positive responses.
I'll definitely be doing more inspirational songs like this one in between alien warblings(?) and various genres in the future.
Thanks again for such kind words...

Check out my latest song called For the Beauty of the Earth

	said 1534 days ago (September 12th, 2005)
	What Do I Know About Pitch? But I know what I like. I like this. Very well done. The quality of your voice is strong yet vulnerable at the same time. OK, who's ready to do the next a capella spiritual at MacJams? :)

Ed Hannifin	Ed Hannifin said 1533 days ago (September 12th, 2005)
	What Do I Know About Pitch? Mungo, YOU'VE got that low voice going... Maybe it's time for the the MacJams Virtual Choir... Ed Check out my latest song called Next Time Around (w/jiguma)

Mystified	Mystified said 1532 days ago (September 14th, 2005)
	What Do I Know About Pitch? Thanks, Mungo :) I'm glad you liked this! As far as the next a capella spiritual....maybe you can talk Ed into singing one? ;) Check out my latest song called For the Beauty of the Earth

ChrisSly

ChrisSly said 1531 days ago (September 15th, 2005)

What Do I Know About Pitch?
What I know about pitch is the modulation would have seemed less jarring if the pause between the verses had been a little shorter or nonexistent. What with all the comments about it, I was well prepared.

And I'm game for a virtual choir. I've got an a symphonic/choral arrangement of this song (part of a suite) that when it's done I'll want to hear . . . somehow.

Mystified, you can have the solo!

---
sometimes more feet than shoes.

Check out my latest song called La Valse Final Waltz

Ed Hannifin

Ed Hannifin said 1533 days ago (September 12th, 2005)

Hard to do...
...and done well...

I'm with Tom's first post on this one... this is one of those
songs that Baez and Collins and others have sung so often
that it's hard for someone to bring something new to the
tune. A lot of times it turns into vocal pyrotechnics and
showy diva stuff, which is really not the feel from which
this song was born...

What you bring to the song is a whole lot of nothing, in
the sense of "no show-off-ness", no flash, no "bad
acting" and drama in the delivery... You get out of the way
of the song and let it be sweet and exultant...

I don't have Tom's or Cameron's ears, but I am actually
pretty picky about pitch, at least in other people's singing.
I think the modulation works here. Having read comments
before listening, I sort of expected something jarring
when it came around, but in fact the feel of it, to my ears,
was organic and fitting. Seemed just fine.

And as for pitch, I think this is one of your most "naked"
performances, and your pitch sounds very good to my
ear... Moreover, it doesn't sound like the song is "work" to
sing...you sound poised and at ease...

The recording itself is also good. I found myself checking
the equipment list: what's she USING on this? I particularly
like the reverb you chose--it gives the song a nice space
in which to live and breathe. (Which one was it? email me
if it's a huge secret...)

You did a really nice job on this, Mystified.

Ed

Check out my latest song called Next Time Around (w/jiguma)

Mystified

Mystified said 1531 days ago (September 15th, 2005)

Hard to do...
Thank you, Ed, for your thoughts and comments.
I like that idea of bringing 'a whole lot of nothing' to a song by way of a simple and non-flashy delivery. Some songs, like this one, seem to come already infused with enough beauty and soul of their own.
I'm just lending a voice.

As for production, I used the Female Basic preset, less the 'overdrive' and compression, then let JamPack 4:Symphony take over with preset Master Track options. There are several, and one I used for this track is the "Bright and Airy" Orchestral setting.

Thanks again for your comments, Ed.

Check out my latest song called For the Beauty of the Earth

stevel	stevel said 1533 days ago (September 13th, 2005)
	pure crystaline vocals Lovely performance Cat...you voice sounds as strong and pure as always, I like the modulation you have put into this. Shouldn't you be performing 'The Star Spangled Banner' at baseball games now?? Steve Check out my latest song called Electricity

Mystified	Mystified said 1531 days ago (September 15th, 2005)
	pure crystaline vocals Eeeek....The Star Spangled Banner? Maybe they can upload a recording from MacJams...Hmmmm..... Seriously, though. Thanks for your comments on this, Steve. It's great getting your feedback consistently on my postings here at MJs. :) Check out my latest song called For the Beauty of the Earth

elfdaughter	elfdaughter said 1533 days ago (September 13th, 2005)
	Wow! You have a very Celtic quality to your voice - beautiful! I wish I could sing like you!! Check out my latest song called Carol of the Bells 2009

elfdaughter	elfdaughter said 1533 days ago (September 13th, 2005)
	Wow! You have a very Celtic quality to your voice - beautiful! I wish I could sing like you!! Check out my latest song called Carol of the Bells 2009

Mystified	Mystified said 1526 days ago (September 20th, 2005)
	Wow! Thank you very much elfie for those kind words. As for your voice--cherish it as all your own. It's already a beautiful instrument! ...and keep singing ;) Check out my latest song called For the Beauty of the Earth

ziti	ziti said 1533 days ago (September 13th, 2005)
	this is pretty darn perfect...i am so proud to consider you a friend. You are constnat inspiration. Check out my latest song called All Smokey

FEEL	FEEL said 1532 days ago (September 13th, 2005)
	Very nice Beautiful voice and such control. Check out my latest song called Pigs Fly

	daphna said 1532 days ago (September 13th, 2005)
	lovely rendition of the song. The half-step didn't bother me, I kind of liked it as a build-up to the end. I really enjoyed the fact that there was no instrumentation in this - a fine solo. cheers. Check out my latest song called I Love My Mac mjrf

Macaudion	Macaudion said 1532 days ago (September 14th, 2005)
	I am left breathless.... I liked everything that Ed said about this... I thought that you did what this tune needed for a change, you got out of the way, but in doing so, you allowed your beatiful vocal work everthing that was needed in order to shine. Simply, beautiful Mysty. Thanks for this one too!!! Cydniko Check out my latest song called 123 iGetU

The 3 Divas	The 3 Divas said 1532 days ago (September 14th, 2005)
	This is a wonderful song, I am so envious of your beautiful voice. I hope you will listen to ours when we post a song here. The 3 Divas Check out my latest song called ODear

Scorpjammer	Scorpjammer said 1532 days ago (September 14th, 2005)
	I Wouldn't Change A Thing I like the half step key change. Musically, it communicates that you're raising your voice to the Lord. Angelic interpretation. Check out my latest song called Seaside Samba

Komrade K	Komrade K said 1532 days ago (September 14th, 2005)
	Another Mysti wonder Just beautiful - thank you. Check out my latest song called Ye Mariners All

Komrade K	Komrade K said 1532 days ago (September 14th, 2005)
	Another Mysti wonder The change of key came as a bit of a surprise at first - so I listened again and felt much more comfortable about it. I've just tried it on the piano and a whole tone works well (but may seem a bit tacky!) A minor third could be interesting... Check out my latest song called Ye Mariners All

Mcboy	Mcboy said 1531 days ago (September 15th, 2005)
	gorgeous.... vocal treatment......... Check out my latest song called Heros( aclarke/mcboy)

Tadashi Togawa	Tadashi Togawa said 1530 days ago (September 16th, 2005)
	Motherhood of earth Singing voice of young maiden. Sometimes,to the way of the voice of mother in the earth. People who listened are healed. Check out my latest song called Mexican taste

Rebsie

Rebsie said 1530 days ago (September 16th, 2005)

Magical
Stunning. Just stunning. You sing with such
confidence and competence and still turn it into
something intensely spiritual. Quite incredible. This
is something most of us singers can only aspire to!

The pitch change is a little daring, because it's close
enough to the original key that it could be
interpreted as a mistake ... but I personally think you
carried it off here - possibly because of the change in
tone/intensity that goes with it.

Check out my latest song called Amongst The Colours (w/ Luna Trick)

jiguma	jiguma said 1529 days ago (September 16th, 2005)
	Now THAT's singing! Lovely, lovely lovely voice Mysti. Not a big fan of the song, but your performance of it was possibly the best I've heard. The upshift on the last verse sounded fine to me - I was looking forward to it, and not disappointed. Thanks, Neil Check out my latest song called Lost In Translation (w Mike Watkins)

bug67	bug67 said 1529 days ago (September 17th, 2005)
	Uplifting! finally got arround to listening to this. I must say, Myst, your voice is an inspiration. Soulfull, heartfelt. Thank you. Check out my latest song called Follow the Bouncing Bear With the Kazoo Blues in E (MJRF)

RickB1	RickB1 said 1528 days ago (September 17th, 2005)
	Uplifting! Brought tears to my eyes. I mean that very sincerely. What a beautiful voice and such emotive expression... Check out my latest song called Defining Moment

caroline	caroline said 1528 days ago (September 18th, 2005)
	i have always loved this song.... and i still do but more so - sorry to be so late getting here my dear - i was on holiday - and now i'm off to your newest one!!! thank you so much for this - love and hugs!!! xxxx Check out my latest song called clink that link mjrf

jompybean	jompybean said 1527 days ago (September 18th, 2005)
	very nice I know it's very difficult to make a classic song interesting to listen to, but you're voice is soothing and beautiful. The key modulation makes it more interesting. Peace. Check out my latest song called arpreggae

Joanna	Joanna said 1527 days ago (September 19th, 2005)
	Graceful This is my favorite hymn, although I sing it a whole lot lower. heh. Really nice unplugged version, and I like that you dove into the a capella pool. Sometimes it feels good to just... sing. Very nicely done. Check out my latest song called Nellie G.

BobRoberts	BobRoberts said 1516 days ago (September 29th, 2005)
	Nice Job You have a nice voice, but you already know that. I love how you deliver some of those lines I liked the change in pitch. I say stick with it. Bob Roberts Check out my latest song called The One and Only

RickW	RickW said 1469 days ago (November 16th, 2005)
	Angelic I just joined MacJams, listened to your treatment of the classic "Amazing Grace", and was enthralled. Your voice is that of an angel. What a wonderful gift God has given you. Check out my latest song called Picture of Perfection (MJRF)

	engler21 said 1467 days ago (November 18th, 2005)
	Wow - tears, joy and inspirational That is amazing! Praise the Lord!

jmb1099

jmb1099 said 1463 days ago (November 22nd, 2005)

God has given you agift
Very pretty, stirring, the way it is meant to be really. I can almost picture
the author as he penned these words. I am not sure if you are familar with
his story, but he renounced a life of sin (which for him was slave-trading)
and found out he, even he could still be a recipient of God's grace. Yeah,
as the words came to him I imagine it was with the emotion and haunting
feeling that I am hearing from you.
Blessings,

Check out my latest song called Love lifted me

DJ Squirrel

DJ Squirrel said 1458 days ago (November 27th, 2005)

Amazing Cat
You're making quite the fan out of me.

Simply put, magnificent.

As for the pitch-up, works flawlessly. Adds to it, doesn't allow the song to become one big run-on tone. An excellent tactic. Even better about it, was the gusto that the third part started with, and then gently subsided.

I felt like I was sitting in the back of a grand cathedral, alone with your voice echoing off the hallowed walls, the light streaming through the myriad of stained glass windows. Not being one that is that religious, I found myself filled with hope in your voice.

Thank you Cat.

Check out my latest song called Lose Your Headbone by Midnight

poodyglitz

poodyglitz said 1403 days ago (January 21st, 2006)

Oh, Yeah
I just listened to "Grace" and wondered, "Where are the words?"
Here they are. I just wish more people truly understood the
meaning of this song and where it came from.

John Newton worked in the slave trader, running ships of slaves
across the waters. He came to the Lord after nearly losing his life
and his life was turned around.

There's so much more to this song. It is not just a beautiful song
for funerals and Woodstock. It is a testament to the grace of God
and the future of those who truly accept what the Lord has done.

Thanks for your rendition.

Check out my latest song called Media Man Update

thetiler	thetiler said 649 days ago (February 13th, 2008)
	I have heard this before and posted but something this good should be heard again and again. I enjoy when your are ready to stop and then before that ending period you sing high. So much is terrific in this tune. Way to go. Check out my latest song called The Bluebird Cafe (with two other guest)