Often a greatest hits album is just a nostalgic journey through an artists former glory. This is not true of Beth Nielsen Chapman's Greatest Hits. All but one of these songs may be found on her "Sand and Water" album or her 1990 self-titled album. Only one, "When I Feel This Way," is from the "You Hold The Key Album". Beth Nielsen Chapman is more than an artist with a stunningly bell-like voice; more than a country-singer with a mournful twang occasionally echoing out of the backup band. She is a singer/songwriter who delivers her lyrics with poignancy and honest clarity.

There isn't a throwaway on the entire CD. Each and every track is a treasure. Even when sung in Hindi, "Beyond The Blue", the lyrics carry forth. This singer/songwriter is a rare combination of talent, intelligence and presence. Not since Carol King's Tapestry has there been a collection of work sung by the writer so uplifting and warming. "Beyond the Blue" lulls you into a good mood, without your even being aware of it. Just when you think it could not get any better, Chapman's enthusiasm springs forth like a comet with "Happy Girl".

While you're catching your breath Chapman comes back with "Walk My Way" opening her heart and declaring her vulnerability. "All I Have", an emotive and uplifting reaffirmation of love and devotion, builds to crescendo that feeling we all share when declaring our love; of wanting to shout from the rooftops. Chapman does this with such pure beauty in her voice that we are all swept up right along with her.

Another track of energy carries us forward in "Life Holds On". Her message of hope and strength issues forth from some of the most precarious of images. The sheer faith Chapman invests in the power of life infects the listener. The magic of her awe filters down to us through the crystalline sprinkling of mandolin which answers her voice. A personal favorite of mine, I could begin each day with this track.

Carrying her faith in life and the human spirit onward, Chapman gives voice to all the finest facets of her own humanity in "The Color Of Roses." Moving on into a ballad devoted to a friend long absent, "Emily" pulls the heart strings and reminds us of the fragility of life and friendship. Chapman's delivery reaches into the heart, leaving us open to the next cut, "When I Feel This Way". She perfectly describes that feeling of complete openness and trust we share with the one we love. Even the tempo has the unhurried caress of a lover's patience in it.

Chapman is unafraid of exposing her heart and life, in ballad after ballad. "I Keep Coming Back To You" touches on the struggles of long time relationships, and the simple reason for working to keep them going. Chapman grieves for her late husband and then reaffirms the progression of life and her participation in it. "Sand and Water" brings tears to the eyes and an ache to the soul, while holding close to the precious remembrance of the partner taken too soon.

"Years" travels back to a time we all recall. Those lazy long childhood summers when time seemed to stand still. It's a gentle recollection; a sweet journey; a tender thought which weaves through right into the last cut on the album, "Say Goodnight." A lullaby, and a cuddle; a moment held in mother's arms; a safe warm place from which to drift off to dreamland.