Search - Various Artists :: Before Their Time, Volume I

Sweet Surprise!

mark a. hetts | San Francisco | 04/14/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"While I liked the idea of this CD, and certainly respected and supported its intent, I was a bit skeptical that it would actually feel "soothing or healing" for me personally. I have lost literally hundreds of friends to AIDS since about 1981, my older brother and one of my closest friends to suicide in 1978, and lost other family members and close friends "before their time" from cancer, murder, and sudden accidents. At any given moment, I carry a serious weight of sadness and loss, accumulated over the last 20 years, but have found my own ways of bearing it and remaining functional and didn't think some nice, well-intended songs were going to have much of an emotional impact on a "grief-hardened veteran" like myself. I was wrong. There is nothing maudlin or morose about "Before Their Time," and the songs are hopeful, loving, and just a real delight to hear. The songs on the CD are not ones I had ever heard before, and I was not personally familiar with most of the songwriters and performers, but found myself instantly drawn to the words, and very happy that the CD included a printed insert with the words to all the songs. Read simply as poetry, these are poignant, loving, inspiring words. Combined with the wonderfully diverse voices and music, it is just exactly what I need when I am being sad about the loss of a loved one and helps me to come up out of a spell of serious grief and regain my emotional footing a bit and re-focus on the living, the present, and my hopes for the future. It's a good reminder for people like me who sometimes forget the true power of music to influence the heart and mind. I would recommend this CD to people regardless of their personal and emotional stake in the loss of loved ones prematurely or otherwise, as the songs are upbeat, and in many different musical styles so that there is almost certainly a song or two that would appeal to nearly every musical taste. But to also know that the proceeds from the CD will go to support the work of Hospice In Vermont and New Hampshire and the NH Youth Suicide Prevention Association makes this a complete win-win deal. I treasure this CD unlike any other in my collection.Mark A. Hetts, aka Mr. HandyPerson, Universal Press Syndicate San Francisco, CA"

Very helpful in the grieving process

Sandy Ogle | Maryville, TN USA | 04/25/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I bought the cd after I lost my son to suicide. It was recommended to me by my grief counselor. It has been a huge source of comfort to me, and I would highly recommend it for anyone who is grieving the loss of a loved one especially at a young age."