This wonderfully
succeeds in helping a new generation discover the majesty of hymns.
Simple Hymns: Songs
of Redemption (www.simplehymns.com)
Artist: Pat Barrett
(Housefires), Chris McClarney (Jesus Culture), Leigh Nash (Sixpence
None the Richer) and others
Label: Venture3Media
(V3M)
Length: 10 tracks/39
minutes
“Amazing Grace (My
Chains are Gone)” sung here by Pat Barrett is like a pattern for
the rest of Simple Hymns. Chris Tomlin and Louie Giglio added
additional lyrics to John Newton’s well-known text. These hymns
have similar additions: new words and melodies that enhance rather
than diminish. Purists may object but this succeeds in making ancient
lines more accessible to listeners today.
The sound might be
likened to roots music. Acoustic sounds are the foundation. Guitar
strumming and piano playing are like anchors for more electrified
accents. Some songs use a limited number of instruments. Piano and
cello make for a fitting pensiveness to “Psalm 62.” This is
immediately followed by the joyfulness heard in guitar, banjo and
other stringed instruments on “Oh, How I love Jesus.” No
overproduction here!
Even though
traditional interpretations bring back memories and can be a comfort,
subtle changes can reinvigorate. “I Surrender All” has a soft
programmed clap track and atmospheric guitar that fits the theme.
It’s not a style I expected but it works.
“Like a Wideness
of the Sea” is written and performed by Anthony Skinner. It draws
inspiration from Frederick Faber’s “There’s a Wideness in God’s
Mercy,” a hymn which I was introduced to by Rich Mullins. This more
fully develops the theme in marvelous ways. The sound, aided by an
organ, is relaxed, the tempo calming, yet the message can be pointed:
“Oh, we make His love so narrow by the limits of our own/And we
magnify His strictness with a zeal He will not own.” It’s easy to
mistake this for the ancient hymn but remarkable to discover that
this is a new creation.
“This I Know
(There is a Fountain)” marries the sublime words of William
Cowper’s “There is a Fountain” with a new cheerful melody
driven by acoustic guitar and mandolin. Chris Weninegar’s male
harmony on the chorus blends with Katie Gustafson's lead vocals. What
a comfort to hear the good news delivered so tenderly.
“Psalm 62”
written by Aaron Keyes and Stuart Townend, and performed by Keyes, is
another new song done in a hymn-like style. Throughout this release a
listener may wonder if they are hearing something new or old, when in
reality you get both, often on the same song. Whether it be a classic
text, lines that mirror that style, or something more contemporary,
it seems every effort was made to make it the best possible song. The
shackles are off. This reverently breathes new life into timeless
words. Some may object to the changes but these songs have the
potential to reach a broader audience than if they were limited to
traditional melodies and familiar lyrics. That’s not to say that
the old hymns are now totally unrecognizable and will soon become
dated.
On the other hand,
listeners who don’t like the “My Chains are Gone” version of
“Amazing Grace” may want to steer clear of this.
I think this first
project in the series succeeds wonderfully in helping a new
generation discover the majesty of hymns.
Apple/iTunes offers
a deluxe version that features videos of every song. Though I have
not seen them, they no doubt will add to the experience.
