It’s rare that a classical crossover album hits my stereo, but with Gifts of Grace, Australian teen Grace Bawden may have converted me.
This is an uplifting disc, one that’s accessible to modern audiences despite its classical undercurrent. It achieves this thanks to its excellent choice of songs. The traditional songs are represented of course. Her version of “Flower Duet” is particularly lovely, and “Amazing Grace” is stunning too. But by keeping those tracks to a minimum, the album breaks through to an audience who may have rejected something with a classical tag.
The same could be said of “Dear God.” Religious tunes are sometimes a bit difficult for secular listeners, but by giving this an album dance-pop treatment it becomes contemporary and youthful.
Grace has an angelic voice, but it’s the maturity she brings that really excites me. I was a little nervous about her tackling a song as profound as “Streets of Philadelphia,” but her treatment is surprisingly effective. Her cover of The Beatles “Long and Winding Road” is also stunning. She may not have lived the struggles of the songs she sings, but she makes us believe she has. Another highlight is “Cold Outside,” an incredible collaboration with South Africa’s Soweto Gospel Choir. To hear their soulful voices combine with Grace’s pure one is amazing.
That’s not to say that every song works. Her version of “People” pales in comparison to Barbra Streisand’s. Few people can ever measure up to this legend, but Grace lacks the conviction and gumption to come close. I was also a little disappointed by the album’s first single, her take on Icehouse’s “Man of Colours.” Perhaps it’s the falsetto, which while amazing seems to undermine the emotional grit of the tune.
But you can’t win them all, and there’s enough here to really impress me. If this is what Grace can produce at 16, I can’t wait to see what she creates in the coming years.
Gifts of Grace is in stores on September 18.
Image used with permission from AAA Entertainment
