Personnel: Beth Nielsen Chapman (vocals, acoustic guitar, electric slide dulcimer, slide whistle, keyboards); Michael McDonald (vocals); Bonnie Raitt (vocals, guitar, dobro); Steuart Smith, Dominic Miller, Pat Buchanan, Larry Chaney (guitar); Sam Bush, Jonathan Yudkin (mandolin); Jelly Roll Johnson (harmonica); Tim Lauer (accordion); Annie Roboff (bandoneon); Mike Haynes (trumpet); Barry Walsh, Matt Rollings, Kevin Savigar, Steve Nathan, Mike Utley (keyboards); Michael Rhodes, Dave Pomeroy (bass); Kirby Shelsted, Brian Barnett, Paul Leim, Jim Keltner (drums, percussion); Kim Fleming, Bill Lloyd (background vocals).
Producers: Rodney Crowell, Beth Nielsen Chapman.
Personnel: Beth Nielsen Chapman (vocals, guitar, acoustic guitar, dulcimer, organ, keyboards, background vocals); Bonnie Raitt (vocals, slide guitar, dobro); Michael McDonald (vocals); Pat Buchanan, Steuart Smith, Larry Chaney (electric guitar); Dominic Miller (gut-string guitar); Sam Bush, Jonathan Yudkin (mandolin); Kirk "Jelly Roll" Johnson (harmonica); Tim Lauer (accordion); Annie Roboff (bandoneon); Bobby G. Taylor (oboe); Mike Haynes (trumpet); Thomas McAninch (French horn); Kevin Savigar, Matt Rollings, Barry Walsh (piano); Paul Leim (drums, percussion); Jim Keltner, Brian Barnett (drums); Kirby Shelstad (percussion); Bill Lloyd (background vocals).
Singer-songwriter Beth Nielsen Chapman brings her distinctly thoughtful, intelligent lyrics and acoustic folk style to the subjects of grief, loss, and healing on SAND AND WATER. Chapman, whose husband died of cancer in 1994, manages an amazing feat on this album, exposing her most tender and raw emotions with complete candor and without a hint of self-pity or maudlin sentimentality. Despite its deeply felt sadness, SAND AND WATER is also full of joy and life. The slightly exotic, percussive "Beyond The Blue" addresses a lost loved one, depicting death as a wonderful journey rather than a dark or frightening one. SAND AND WATER is filled with heartbreaking glimpses of a very personal, aching loss, yet somehow Chapman transcends the grief and moves toward a new appreciation for what it means to be alive.
