Hymns

Description

Hymns is the third album by the American singer and songwriter Craig Smith (with Chamber Orchestra, Men’s Chorus and Boy’s Choir), released on StarSong Records in 1983, manufactured and distributed by Word. The album was produced, recorded and mixed by Paul Mills at Rivendell Sound Recorders in Pasadena, Texas. Strings recorded by Brian Tankersley at Pinebrook Studio in Alexandria, Indiana.

In the early 1980’s Craig was given a 100-year-old hymnal as a gift from a respected and well known international minister. He was deeply moved by the beauty and spiritual depth of the hymns with some individual songs containing more than 20 verses, not the norm of our day. Though then a contemporary Christian music artist, he asked his record label, if he could depart from the style of his first two recordings. Typically, this would not be allowed because of confusing the audience, but they agreed and the album Hymns was then released.

Remember Larry Norman’s «Why Should the Devil Have All the Good Music?» The sentiment of that song rode high on the crest of a musical wave that rolled through rock (loud and mellow), took a detour through the country, eased on down past jazz, and settled onto the sands of the most palatable pop this side of Top 40. Only in the last few years have we seen artists flirting with the more classical side of Christian music again, with a few even “rediscovering” some of the traditional hymns of the church. Perhaps we’ve come full circle, then, with Craig Smith’s unashamed celebration of our musical heritage, ‘Hymns’ (Star Song SSR 0044).

The album has everything it should: stirring arrangements for chamber orchestra, men’s chorus, and boys’ choir (written by Paul Mills), classical guitar, and a mighty organ. Mercifully, ‘Hymns’ leaves out that which would have detracted from the concept: electric guitars, drums, and synthesizers. Aside from all this gorgeous music though, there is Craig Smith. He and his enthusiastic (and very competent) lead vocals imbue each hymn with fresh life, as if he had penned each hymn the night before.

It is indeed curious that ‘Hymns’ should be such a welcome blessing in this era of new wave-techno-rock. It serves to remind us that the best music does not take up permanent residency in any one era. Rather, fine music possesses a timeless quality and lives on in the hearts of those who make it their song. [Thom Granger, CCM, April 1983]

LP tracklist:

Side One
A1. “Call To Worship”
A2. “Holy, Holy, Holy”
A3. “When I Survey The Wondrous Cross”
A4. “Jesus Suite”
A5. “We Do Worship Thee”

Side Two
B1. “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God”
B2. “Providence Suite”
B3. “Now Thank We All Our God”
B4. “Passion Suite”

Note: Simultaneously released on cassette and 12-inch vinyl LP by StarSong Records.

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