Hymns of the 49th Parallel

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Hymns of the 49th Parallel
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  1. Audio CD: Release Date 2004-07-27
  2. Publisher: Nonesuch
  3. Artist: K.D. Lang
  4. Sales Rank in Music: #7703

Product Review

Hymns of the 49th Parallel fulfills k.d. lang’s longstanding desire to create a Canadian songbook. On the album, her first for Nonesuch Records, she pays homage to fellow Canadian artists including Joni Mitchell, Leonard Cohen, Neil Young, Jane Siberry, Ron Sexsmith, and Bruce Cockburn.

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Was it homesickness that compelled longtime Los Angeles resident k.d. lang to fashion her one-woman campaign for north-of-the-border nationalism, or just plain good sense? All Canadian content has long been a mainstay of the Canadian Broadcasting System, but few have selected their material with such a fine hand and a high aesthetic. The expatriate singer has taken great pains to create a sophisticated homage to her Canadian roots, elegantly reinterpreting 11 songs penned by some of her more illustrious countrymen (and women) such as Jane Siberry, Joni Mitchell, Neil Young, and Leonard Cohen. The idiosyncratic chanteuse turns Cohen's "Bird on a Wire" into an aching monochromatic lament, exploring new tributaries of pain that didn't exist in the original, while recasting Neil Young's "Helpless" into a haunting anthem of memory and comfort, all the while sounding anything but helpless. A gorgeous love letter to her brethren, complete with an intelligent and understated orchestration. --Jaan Uhelszki
Title Tracks for Hymns of the 49th Parallel

Customer Reviews

Average Customer Review
4.4 out of 5 stars (160 customer reviews)

285 of 291 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars A compelling voice paying quiet tribute to her culture, August 1, 2004
Texas Brian "texasbrian" (Austin, TX United States) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Hymns of the 49th Parallel (Audio CD)
The first rule of reviewing is, you have to let something be what it wants to be.

With that said, k.d. lang has released a career milestone with Hymns Of The 49th Parallel. After touring with Tony Bennett doing Louis Armstrong-based covers from an American songbook, k.d.'s idea was to get in touch with her Canadian roots by covering songs from Canadian songwirters.

The result is an intimate and warm record perfect for quiet reflection. Like the citizens of that country, the music is powerful but extremely understated, incisive and brilliant. From Neil Young to Leonard Cohen to Joni Mitchell to the vastly-underrated Jane Siberry, lang's voice provides a soothing glimpse into the stillness of the Great North.

There have been two major complaints: 1) "This CD is boring," and 2) "Why did she cover THIS song? She should have covered this one!"

This is a very mellow, muted disc, designed to be a gentle acoustic recording...Read more


49 of 51 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent work by Lang, September 15, 2004
R. D. Waters "rdwaters" (Newton, NC United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Hymns of the 49th Parallel (Audio CD)
Over the years I have found a certain special connection with particular k. d. Lang recordings. "Ingénue" and "Drag" in particular come to mind. They are works made up of carefully selected songs that make up a greater whole. For me "Hymns of the 49th Parallel" falls into the same category. It is a stunning work from beginning to end.

Jane Siberry's "The Valley" is probably my personal favorite. While Siberry's own recording is amazing, Lang's big-boned-gal voice gives "The Valley" an additional anthem-like boost. The chorus haunts me daily as I walk through the office halls or get into my car. It is moving and powerful.

Lang's take on Joni Mitchell's two classics, "A Case of You" and "Jericho", are also exceptional. The choice of "A Case of You" in particular was appropriate. Mitchell's song about her birthplace of Canada fits beautifully into Lang's collection of songs by Canadian artists. "Jericho", my personal favorite from "Don Juan's Reckless...Read more


26 of 26 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars ethereal and longing, February 7, 2005
kd fan "Tom" (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Hymns of the 49th Parallel (Audio CD)
The beauty of this album is it's sparseness. I can not convey enough how risky and brilliant this is. From obscure tracks like Fallen to the more familiar (Case of You, Hallelujah) she studies the song and plants her thumb firmly on the core. And not in a "studied" way, but in a literate, passionate, loving way. To say she takes Case of You to astral heights is not granting it full due. I have never heard a Joni Mitchell cover taken so gently in one's hands, yet experienced so fully. Her voice was made for songs such as these.

And I can not serve Love is Everything properly, you simply must hear it's melancholic words and her treatment to know what that heartbreak feels like.

This album touches me in ways, subtle, longing, and sweet that few albums have. And k.d. deserves much credit for challenging herself and her audience with such art.

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