Natalie Chapman: Between the Lines
South African singer-songwriter Natalie Chapman is impressive. An independent artist, she self-released her debut album, Between the Lines (2006).
Three years of fund-raising and work paid off. Between the Lines is a pleasing CD with 10 original songs, mainly acoustic folk and rock ballads. Her single, “Are You Coming Home?”, reached the second spot on OFM’s Top 20 and was played on several stations
The single is an acoustic guitar-backed track reminiscent of Shania Twain, right down to Chapman’s voice, particularly on the chorus. It’s a song about splitting up: “And are you coming home? / Will I see you in the morning? / Can we make a new start? / And will you heal my breaking heart?”
Chapman has an exquisite voice. At times, like on “Nobody’s Fault But Mine”, her vocals are perfect jazz, while “For a Moment”, showcases the suitability of her voice for moving ballads.
When I was writing for a magazine, Chapman told me that her writing had been heavily influenced by “the soul that is Tracy Chapman”.
“I was brought up on everything from The Doors and Pink Floyd to Kenny Rogers, Stevie Wonder, Depeche Mode, Guns and Roses, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Prince and many more,” she says. “I love to dance, but find that when I write my own songs, ballads just flow out of me.”
And beautiful ballads
they are. “I Dreamed of You Last Night” is delivered with a melancholy feeling
that is almost tangible. “I love to sing this song,” said Chapman. “It is very
dramatic and I love the Spanish guitar. It soars for me and the climax moves
me. It is also a great song to listen to when you are angry with your man.”
Great tracks: Are You Coming Home?; Nobody’s Fault But Mine; Living and Loving; I Dreamed of You Last Night; With You and Me
OK tracks: Between the Lines; For a Moment; The Other Side; A New Life
Weak tracks: Eshwin’s Song
