3:1 CD Review: Be Still (Nathan Prisk)

Posted by Daniel J. Mount + on October 5, 2012 in 3+1 | 9 comments

3:1 Reviews offer three highlights of an album and one area that could have been improved.

1: or :1? Piano-only tracks: This solo hymns project from Daybreak Quartet bass singer Nathan Prisk is as sparse as it gets—Prisk’s resonant, classically trained solo bass vocal and Tracey Phillips’ incomparable piano stylings. You will either love it or hate it. There aren’t huge orchestrations or background vocalists to cover imperfections—but they aren’t needed. Prisk’s voice is utter perfection.

2: “Be Still and Know”: One might think that dropping a Steven Curtis Chapman song directly between “I Sing the Mighty Power of God” and “Crown Him with Many Crowns” would be a disaster of stylistic dissonance. It’s not. Prisk interprets it so well that the average listener will assume it’s another hymn, albeit one they haven’t heard yet.

3: “In the Presence of the Lord”: Many bass singers avoid the upper portions of their range. Prisk’s classical training comes through; his upper range shines on this track and is as resonant as the lower register he is primarily known for.

Traditional or Progressive: Traditional.

Song Selection Creativity Meter: 50%. In place of radio single picks and an album rating, table projects featured in a 3:1 review are measured by a different metric—what percent of the songs on the album are pulled from outside of the 200 Most Frequently Recorded Southern Gospel songs.

Credits: Produced by Nathan Prisk and Jason Prisk. Piano accompaniment by Tracey Phillips. Tracks recorded at Playground Studios, Nashville, TN. Engineered by Max Moon. Mixed and mastered by Jason Prisk.

Song List: I Sing the Mighty Power of God; Be Still and Know; Crown Him with Many Crowns; In the Presence of the Lord; Pass Me Not; Blessed Assurance; Declare His Glory; ‘Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus; Stand By Me; I’d Rather Have Jesus.

About Daniel J. Mount

Daniel Mount has written 2917 posts in this blog.

Daniel J. Mount is the founder and editor of SouthernGospelBlog.com.

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9 Comments

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Diana October 5, 2012 at 9:36 am

I’m so glad to see your review of Nathan’s solo project!! I love big orchestration but I am very pleased with the minimum accompaniment on this CD because the focus remains on the vocals and lyrics. The song choices are just wonderful, too.

Kay deVries October 5, 2012 at 10:10 am

How can I get a copy of this CD? Sounds fabulous! Is there an online site where I could purchase it?

Daniel J. Mount October 5, 2012 at 10:10 am

I’m not sure. Diana, who commented above, may know.

Reply
- Diana October 5, 2012 at 11:16 am
  
  Nathan has a blog site – http://www.nathanprisk.com where you can hear a sample and a page where you can order the CD – http://www.shop.nathanprisk.com
  
  If you’d like to see a video, Nathan allowed me to post these on youtube:
  
  Be Still and Know – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OcKCG9LpGs4 –
  
  I’d Rather Have Jesus – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h9dy8k9aOY4
- Daniel J. Mount October 5, 2012 at 11:17 am
  
  Thanks! I knew you would know!
- Kay deVries October 5, 2012 at 8:31 pm
  
  Thank you both, Daniel and Diana!

Gladys October 5, 2012 at 9:08 pm

I’m happy to learn about his new CD and that he is still singing. We had the Daybreak Quartet at our church many times & I sure do miss this group. Nathan is a great singer.

Daniel Ball October 5, 2012 at 10:33 pm

Thanks for the review, Daniel. We met Nathan a few years ago and he has become a great friend. He has an awesome voice and this project is a “must purchase”!