Amy Grant, Vince Gill - Rock of Ages: Hymns & Faith
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Free Music Notes for Rock of Ages: Hymns & Faith
Free Music Review: GRANT HAS NEVER BEEN BETTER
Hit: 5 Stars
This collection of Hymns and some new material puts "O Brother Where Art Thou" to shame. The production is absolutely top-notch; the song choices and arrangements impeccable.
Amy Grant is such a celebrated artist--a mythic figure, almost, in the Contemporary Christian world--that we often forget to evaluate her as an evolving artist. I could go on and on about the warmth and uniqueness of her expressive alto...nobody comes close to out-Amying Amy, though many curly-headed brunettes have tried.
What is amazing about this album--and this woman--is the simple peace that she and the album exude. There are plenty of places to tap your feet and even dance...but there is not ONE SINGLE FALSE MOMENT.
Parents--if your children have grown up watching "American Idol" or its lesser precedents like "Star Search," you must buy "Rock of Ages" to teach your children how singing should be. Simple is best. Character, warmth and sincerity in a voice trumps vocal gymnastics anyday.
Ironically enough, Amy Grant, though she is often self-deprecating about her "limited range," has an impressive range and, as evidenced by moments in her early career, can pull off an Idol worthy diva moment in her singing...That she has the ability to do so and chooses not to is a further testament to her integrity as a singer/songwriter...and as an antidote to the screeching hyennas that our children are bombarded with.
If what I have said leaves you cold, consider this...My nephew, who is three, seems to love music. In the car, he is always asking to hear music...to turn it down...to turn it up...he even editorializes a bit. I have a large music collection, and he is generally content to hear whatever is in the CD Player. I'll put on an Amy Grant CD--and although he knows no artists by name--he'll say, "This is Amy. I like Amy."
The sign of a great artist--when you hear him or her, you know exactly who it is.
Free Music Review: Amy has done it again!!
Hit: 5 Stars
If your looking for something new and different from Amy Grant, then Rock of Ages is just what the doctor ordered. Her newest CD to hit shelves has something for everyone on it. Vince Gill, Brown Bannister, and Amy have put new music to some very old hymns (we're talking 1800's old!). If you grew up in the church, or even if you didn't, but you just love Jesus, this CD draws you closer to God in ways you never thought of. Amy uses blues, jazz, country/bluegrass, gospel, pop, and yes even rock to bring these old songs new life. This CD is not like Legacy, in that it uses more up to date sounds, but then it is like Legacy, in that it is the old hymns. She has also added a new version of "Carry You", "Jesus Loves Me/They Will Know We Are Christians/Helping Hand", and "El Shaddai". She even has her family: mom, dad, husband, and sisters singing on "Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus". And of course her husband, Vince sings on beautifully on "Rock of Ages". Among my favorites songs are "Joyful, Joyful", "Carry You", "Anywhere with Jesus", "Jesus Loves Me/They Will Know We Are Christians/Helping Hand", "I Surrender All", "Rock Of Ages", and "Abide With Me". Although, I have only listened to the CD twice, I'm sure I will fall in love with other songs as time goes by. Every Amy Grant CD seems to touch my heart and speak to my life, it's like she knew what I was going through with God and life and wrote about it. Overall, it's always nice to have new music from Amy!!Free Music Review: I'm Blown Away!
Hit: 5 Stars
Travel back a hundred years or so, step through the doors of a small-time, backwater, clapboard church, and you'll be caught up by the soulful sounds of Amy Grant's latest disc. From the opening track, Amy lays her heart on the line with nuanced vocals. Sinner, saint, martyr, or scapegoat...she has endured through the years, despite her flaws, by clinging to her faith. And this is nowhere more evident than in "Rock of Ages..."
Although I've never been a huge Grant fan (I bought this one for my wife), I could not help being touched by the raw truth and power in these songs. She imbues "I Surrender All" with a joyful willingness; she blends "Jesus Loves Me" and "They'll Know We are Christians" with lyrical and musical purpose; and she incorporates the straightforward simplicity of her father's voice in "Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus." The selection of hymns and lyrics drawn from the 1800s and early 1900s is outstanding. The newer tunes are wonderfully woven into the album's tapestry. When Amy sings "Tell me Thy secret, help me bear/The strain of toil, the fret of care...O Master let me walk with Thee," we know she means every word.
For those who have stood beside her, for those who have struggled with her decisions, it is time to see her heart through the lenses of this album. While her wounds are real, her healing is God's daily miracle. Indeed, He is the "Rock of Ages." We can all find comfort in that.
Free Music Review: Rock of Ages....Rocks!
Hit: 5 Stars
Rock of Ages completely exceeded my expectations and in my opinion, is a MUCH better album than Legacy....
To me Legacy was too countryfied...when Rock of Ages is much more subtle and Americana in it's sound...
Favorite tracks are:
Carry You - Love this new version. So worshipful.
Sweet Will of God - Amazing hymn. Beautiful harmonies. I love how they mixed the 1986 recording with the current one. This one will stand the test of time.
Joyful Joyful We Adore Thee - Very uplifting....makes your toes tap.
Jesus Loves Me/They'll Know We Are Christians/Helping Hand - Awesome arrangement. This has classic Christian song all over it!
O Master Let Me Walk With Thee - Unbelievably stunning.
God Moves In A Mysterious Way/ The Lord Is In His Holy Temple: Love how she blended these two songs together. Just stunning...brings tears to my eyes.
Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus - I love how her family is involved in this recording. You can just hear Amy smile throughout this song.
El Shaddai - Now there are THREE versions of this amazing song! Amazing! Love it!
I Surrender All - Makes me go down on my knees in worship!
Free Music Review: Just Excellent
Hit: 5 Stars
Amy Grant has released two albums of hymns. Legacy...Hymns & Faith was released in 2002 and it was followed earlier this year by Rock of Ages...Hymns & Faith. Both of these albums are excellent in song choice, musicianship and quality. Grant, because of her marriage to Vince Gill, has access to many of the finest musicians in Nashville, and she takes full advantage. I have not listened to the first album in quite some time so am unable to recall which are the best songs. Highlights of the second album include "Sweet Will of God," "Abide With Me," to which she adds a chorus, and "Anywhere with Jesus." "I Surrender All," while not a traditional hymn, is another great track. The songs are Nashville-influenced, which is to say that they have a Country and Western sound to them. Grant generally sticks quite closely to the original songs both in lyrics and tune. One notable exception is "Abide With Me." Usually I would not condone making any changes to this hymn (one of my favorites) but Grant does not take away from its beauty and power with the addition of a chorus and a slightly modified tune.