Description
New Irish Hymns is a collaboration project featuring the three vocalists, American singer/songwriter Margaret Becker and the British singers/songwriters Máire “Moya” Brennan (of Clannad fame) and Joanne Hogg (of Iona fame), released in the UK on Kingsway Music in April 2001. Also released in the US as In Christ Alone: New Hymns of Prayer & Worship April 2002, manufactured and marketed by Worship Together, a division of Sparrow Label Group. The album’s rhythm section was recorded at ICC Studios in Eastbourne, England. Composed, arranged, and produced by the Northern Irish singer, songwriter, arranger, and producer Keith Getty, with Nigel Palmer co-producing. Additional arrangements by Pete Kipley and Tim Oliver. Strings provided by The Prague Symphony Orchestra.
The album is the first release in the four-part New Irish Hymns Series, followed by New Irish Hymns #2: Father, Son & Holy Spirit (2003), New Irish Hymns #3: Incarnation (2004), and a final album entitled New Irish Hymns #4: Hymns for the Life of the Church (2005).
Kingsway Music Promo, US edition
Dove Award winner Margaret Becker, Grammy Award winner Máire Brennan (Clannad), and internationally acclaimed Joanne Hogg (Iona) team their distinct voices on the truly eventful worship project, In Christ Alone: New Hymns of Prayer & Worship. Produced by Irish composer Keith Getty, these ten new peaceful and uplifting songs are marked by authentic Irish instrumentation, all coming together for one outstanding musical celebration of Christ’s life.
From the very first note, Celtic charm naturally permeates In Christ Alone as the rhythm section (also from Iona) bonds with pipes, whistles, and a dynamic orchestra. While «Your Hand O God Has Guided» waltzes to a patriotic homeland beat, «With the Early Morning» charges ahead at a full-tilt Riverdance pace, with flailing acoustic guitars and a sing along chorus that worshipers will embrace. The enchanting jig-pop and clattering percussion of «Hear All Creation» marks a modern praise classic that is irresistible and hit-worthy.
In Christ Alone’s reverent Christ centered lyrics, written mainly by this vocal trio and producer Keith Getty, are strikingly poetic and prayerful, best experienced on meditative piano and string tracks like «This Fragile Vessel (Communion)» and «Jesus Draw Me Ever Nearer».
A landmark union of top contemporary voices creating timeless musical praise to God, In Christ Alone is poised for wide consumer acceptance.
With so much seeming cynicism surrounding Nashville marketing of Celtic music, it is particularly pleasing to report that this album bears none of the marks of hasty Irish music bandwagon-jumping. Instead, three superlative singing talents, American veteran Catholic songstress Margaret Becker, Clannad’s etherial voiced colleen Maire Brennan and the stunning voice of Iona‘s Joanne Hogg have been gathered together by 26 year old composer, producer and conducter Keith Getty. What Keith manages to do is fit wistful, haunting melodies to words sometimes penned by the singers themselves and sometimes like with William Cowper’s classic hymn «O For A Closer Walk», from an earlier era of music. The arrangements are magnificent with lush string writing perfectly integrated with pipes and whistles from Troy Donockley, lilting guitar lines from players like Phil Keaggy and Jason Carter and truly tumultuous percussion from Terl Bryant. All three sisters revel in the warmly evocative arrangements and deliver some of their best ever vocal performances. New Irish hymns indeed. [Tony Cummings, Cross Rhythms, November 2001]
I need to start off by saying that I was extremely prejudiced about this album even before I heard it. Even though she now calls Nash Vegas home, Maggie B. is originally from Long Island, NY. I can remember when she was the chick singer at one of the local wine and cheese hangouts, so there is some hometown pride there. As far as Maire and Joanne are concerned, they are my two favorite female vocalists, so I came to this project with high expectations. Were they met? Absolutely without a doubt!
All of the music on the album was written by a 26 year old wunderkid named Keith Getty and it falls into the Celtic circle of things as is obvious from the album title. The majority of the lyrical content was contributed by the girls individually. There is no collaboration between them as far as lyrical content goes. The only drawback that I can see on the album is a lack of vocal interplay between the singers ala Lost Dogs. Margaret sings her tunes with Maire and Jo singing background vocals and the same is true when Maire and Jo take over the lead vocal chores. It is at best a minor gripe and is a matter of my own personal taste. That said, this is one fantastic album. Although it will be classified as a worship and praise project, it is more than that. It is a contemplative study on the awesomeness of our Creator and Lord.
The players on this album are also some of the finest around. Teryl Bryant, Tim Harries, Phil Keaggy, Tim Oliver, Troy Donockley and The Prague Symphony Orchestra Strings, among others lend their considerable talents. Although I said this is a Celtic album, it not a jump up and dance around the house project. This needs to be savored and appreciated like a glass of fine wine that has been aged to perfection. Sit back in a nice quiet room, turn the lights down and feel the presence of God moving through this wonderful music. [Chris MacIntosh aka Grandfather Rock, The Phantom Tollbooth, 2/28/2002]
> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/new-irish-hymns/561688229)
CD tracklist:
01. Your Hand O God Has Guided (One Church, One Faith) – 3:09
02. With the Early Morning (Song of the Kingdom) – 3:49
03. Jesus Draw Me Ever Nearer (May This Journey) – 4:09
04. Hear All Creation – 3:36
05. My Hope – 4:17
06. In Christ Alone – 6:46
07. Like the Starlight (Your Song To Me) – 4:00
08. O For a Closer Walk – 3:24
09. This Fragile Vessel (Communion) – 6:12
10. Over Fields of Green (My Song Shall Rise To You) – 2:21
Note: Simultaneously released on cassette and CD by Kingsway Music. A Songbook was also made available.
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