Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 13!
Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 13!

JFH Music Review



Bethany Dillon
So Far: Acoustic Sessions Digital EP



Artist Info: Discography
Album length: 6 tracks: 23 minutes, 40 seconds
Street Date: October 2, 2007


It's been a big year for Miss Bethany Dillon. Her third album, Waking Up, released in April, she became engaged to Shane Barnard (of the acoustic duo Shane & Shane) this summer, and now she's released her second EP, So Far: Acoustic Sessions exclusively to the online music-buying public.

I'm absolutely a Bethany Dillon fan, but I have to admit that this EP is a great comfort to me as I recover from the overly CCM Waking Up. I found her latest full-length album to be over-instrumented and too "adult contemporary" for such a wonderful, young singer-songwriter. I can't listen to Waking Up without thinking, "Play something acoustic! Lose the electric guitar lead! Gimme more Beth and less PRODUCER!" Enter So Far: Acoustic Sessions. Cue my sigh of relief.

This is not new material. The songs haven't even been changed that much from their original versions, but the EP communicates the essential Bethany Dillon - a girl and her guitar. It's these two elements so many people have fallen in love with in Beth's live performances. It's these elements that lost their prominence in her latest full-length.

The EP opens with "Dreamer," with a sweet, rambling piano track to augment Bethany's characteristic rhythmic acoustic guitar. "The Kingdom" follows, almost entirely just voice and guitar. "All I Need," a personal favorite is next. If I close my eyes I can imagine she's singing this in my living room. Yet another example of the charm of this EP: the songs retain a very "live" feel, complete with the occasional teeny vocal mess up and kind of a dive-coffee-bar performance vibe.

Fourth is Bethany's signature "Beautiful." This is a much more pensive and ballad-y version than previous recordings. It's nice, although I prefer the version on the 2004 Beautiful Sessions EP. Waking Up's "Top of the World" follows. Why is it in a lower key on the EP than on the full album? I don't know, but I like it. If you're familiar with Waking Up, chances are you won't notice a difference in the acoustic version of "Let Your Light Shine" and the original version on the full-length album - at least until the chorus. No guitar here, but a lovely piano and minimal string accompaniment.

Overall, it's a satisfying mini-album for us Bethany Dillon purists. If you dig the adult contemporary angle, chances are you'll like it too. Maybe the positive response this EP is bound to receive will inspire our favorite guitar-wielding 19-year-old newly engaged Ohioan to give us more acoustic songs on future full-length albums. So whaddaya say, Beth?

- Review date: 10/5/07, written by Miriam DiBiase



(JFH Sponsor Spot)

Check out JFH's Lloyd in his first-ever childrens book!

 


. Record Label: Sparrow Records / iTunes
. Album length: 6 tracks: 23 minutes, 40 seconds
. Street Date: October 2, 2007
. Buy It: iTunes

  1. Dreamer (Acoustic)
  2. The Kingdom (Acoustic)
  3. All I Need (Acoustic)
  4. Beautiful (Acoustic)
  5. Top of the World (Acoustic)
  6. Let Your Light Shine (Acoustic)
spacer Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics

 

 

go to main Album review page
go to Album review archive

 


(JFH Sponsor Spot)

 

 

                 
Check out JFH's Lloyd in his first-ever childrens book!

Search JFH




This Tuesday, November 19, 2024
SINGLES
Mat Kearney Certainty - Single (independent)

This Wednesday, November 20, 2024
ALBUMS
1K Phew Let Go Let God: The EP [Reach]

SINGLES
Drew & Ellie Holcomb High Seas - Single [Magnolia]
Sleeping At Last Let It Snow - Single (independent)

This Thursday, November 21, 2024
ALBUMS
The Choir Translucent (independent)

SINGLES
Wilder Woods Curioso [Dualtone]

This Friday, November 22, 2024
ALBUMS
Coqui I'll Still Have Christmas Day - EP [DREAM]
for KING & COUNTRY A Drummer Boy Christmas (LIVE) [Curb]
The Kingsmen Decades: Vol. 3 & 4 [Horizon]
Jonathan McReynolds Red & Green - EP [Capitol CMG/Motown]
NEEDTOBREATHE Acoustic Live Vol. 1 (CD Reissue) [Omnivore]
NEEDTOBREATHE Live From The Woods (CD Reissue) [Omnivore]
R.kitect Vicious Circles - EP (independent)
Run51 Let's Celebrate - EP [DREAM]
Van Zant Always Look Up [Frontiers Music]

SINGLES
7eventh Time Down I Speak Jesus - Single [BEC]
99 APEX Find A Way Freestyle - Single [Syntax]
Cory Asbury You're Still The One - Single [BEC]
Ashes Remain Lost Light - Single [BEC]
Paul Baloche Angels We Have Heard On High/Glorious (feat. Sarah Kroger) - Single [Integrity]
Elan Brio Sun Rays - Single (independent)
Amy Jay And So It Goes - Single (independent)
Jericko Holy Ground - Single [Syntax]
Reece Lache' Energy - Single (independent)
Vic Lucas Presha - Single [Syntax]
Cliff & Antoinette Murray O Emanuel - Single [DREAM]
Procyse, Dave A. You’re Not Free - Single [Polished Arrow]
River Valley Worship This is Our Jesus (feat. Moriah Christian) - Single [BEC]
Vineyard Worship Royal Son - Single [Integrity]

VINYL
NEEDTOBREATHE Acoustic Live Vol. 1 (Vinyl Reissue) [Omnivore]
NEEDTOBREATHE Live From The Woods (Vinyl Reissue) [Omnivore]

Next Thursday, November 28, 2024
VINYL
Van Zant Always Look Up Vinyl [Girder]

Next Friday, November 29, 2024
ALBUMS
Sixpence None the Richer Dawn of Grace (Deluxe) [Flatiron]
Thrive Worship Christmas, Vol. 2 - EP [Integrity]

SINGLES
ICF Worship Light of the World - Single [Integrity]
Selah Glory Hallelujah (feat. Mike Weaver) - Single [Integrity]
Slow Salvation The Ghost of Christmas Past - Single [Velvet Blue]
Uche Agu, Revival Today Worship Medley of Hymns - Single [DREAM]

VINYL
Sixpence None the Richer Dawn of Grace (Deluxe) Vinyl (Record Store Day Exclusive!) [Flatiron]



For all release dates, click here!
 



Check out the new album from Taylor Holland Armstrong!



Listen to the new Single from Second Adam and the New Creations!

Check out depositphotos for royalty free images