Amy Grant - Legacy Hymns & Faith

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Free Music Notes for Legacy Hymns & Faith

Free Music Review: More than music
Hit: 5 Stars

Some background. While I've no doubt heard some of Amy's earlier songs (who hasn't heard Baby, Baby on muzak?), my primary consumption of her music comes each year during the holidays when my family enjoys her two Christmas CDs. She is for my family what Perry Como or Bing Crosby must have been when I was little: the background music of the holidays. Despite their slick and sweet production, they possess a sincerity and conviction that have helped them rise far above the typically awful celebrity holiday compilation.

When I heard about Legacy, I was curious to discover for myself if it has the warmth and spirit of the holiday CDs. (I had sampled an earlier CD, Behind the Eyes, and found it, well, depressing.) I also was curious if Amy Grant could interpret the hymns I heard during my childhood as convincingly as she has done the carols I enjoyed.

I hope this CD touches others as it has me. Sure, I have little gripes about some of the songs. (For instance, I'm not typically a fan of "speaking" during a song.) But those complaints are minor when compared to the overall impact of the CD. At least for me, Legacy provides comfort during not so comfortable times. It does my soul well to turn off the radio news regarding war in the Middle East and hear her sing, "It is well with my soul."

As for the complaints I've read in some other reviews, specifically about the "country" influence: Bunk. One of the enjoyable things about this CD is to hear such a wide array of influences, from at least two Celtic traditions to bluegrass to old-time and black gospel. Fans of Vince Gill will no-doubt recognize his guitar virtuosity and remarkable harmonizings, but this CD is Twang-Free.

Indeed, after listening to it, my wish is that she would actually do a gospel album in collaboration with some of her contemporary bluegrass music neighbors in Nashville. I suggest she do a CD like Legacy (but all acoustic) and in the tradition of a "Let the Circle be Unbroken" by the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. Dolly Parton, Nickel Creek, Patty Lovelace, Vince Gill, Ricky Skaggs, etc. each doing a song with Amy Grant would make a great Legacy II.

One other suggestion. For me, one of the most moving 20 seconds of this CD come at the end of a new song "Imagine" (no, not THE Imagine), track nine, when Amy sings the first verse (no chorus) of "When We all Get to Heaven" (or at least that's what I call the song she titles Sing The Wondrous Love Of Jesus). On Legacy II, please, more.

One last comment on what has to be the longest review I've ever written. I go to one of those fancy in-town churches that doesn't sing the hymns I grew up with. While I love this church (and its music), I have regretted that my children will not know those hymns. Remarkably, this CD has appealed not only to my ears and heart, but to those of my 11 and 14-year-old. They now know what real hymns are.

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