Description
At the Foot of the Cross, Volume Two: Seven Last Words of Christ, is a multi-artist project released on Myrrh Records in 1995, a division of Word. It features alternative worship songs mostly written or co-written by Steve Hindalong and Derald Daugherty of The Choir fame, Greg Flesch of Daniel Amos fame, as well as Tom Howard. The album was produced by Hindalong and Daugherty with most tracks recorded at Neverland, their own studio located in Nashville, Tennessee. The first installment of this two-part series was released in 1992, entitled At the Foot of the Cross, Volume One: Clouds, Rain, Fire .
The odds are never good for a sequel; whether it’s a film, a book, or in this case, an album. Energies are usually fully exerted on the original, and fresh ideas tend to be at a premium for the follow-up. But Steve Hindalong, Derri Daugherty and their extremely talented guests manage to meet and exceed the high standards set with the acclaimed ‘Clouds, Rain, Fire‘.
‘Seven Last Words’ is based around the events which happened literally “at the foot of the cross” during the last hours of Jesus’ life. Hindalong, the primary composer of the lyrics, uses the Gospel accounts as the basis for his text, as well as a commentary by Matthew Henry and various classical music works written about those final moments. Setting the mood for the “mini-opera” is the «Prelude», featuring an ethereal string arrangement by Tom Howard, ethnic percussion by Hindalong and electric guitar shadings by Daugherty. That segues into the somber «Forgive Us», with appropriately wounded vocals by Julie Miller, David Mullen and Gene Eugene. «Paradise» features perhaps the most expressive vocals ever by Bryan Duncan, as he recounts the Lord’s promise to the “criminal,” “penitent soul” and “sinner” that they will join Him in heaven. «Beloved Ones» again takes a darker turn, as the Lord laments leaving His mother and the diciple John. Charlie Peacock (echoed by Hoi Polloi‘s Jenny Gullen) gives the song the appropriate gravity, while the Celtic colorings of Scott Miller’s hammer dulcimer, Hindalong’s percussion and Brian Dunning‘s pennywhistle lift the melancholy a bit. «Why Have Your Forsaken Me» sees the Lord coming to grips with the finality of His mission, even as He cries “Holy One, don’t turn away from me.” Marty McCall lends the sorrowful lyric the requisite emotion and drama with Daugherty’s guitar acting as a chorus.
«I Thirst» moves us closer to Jesus’ death, as a choir solemnly intones the title over and over, to the tune of Howard’s piano. «Come to the River» breaks from the scriptural flow, so that we may identify with the Lord’s thirst and drink from “the river of healing water;” Babbie Mason and Anointed place us right at the banks of that river with their spectacular vocals. The grim orchestral interlude «It Is Finished» takes us to the ultimate moment of history from where Daugherty picks up the story with «The Winds». Even as the finality of His death sinks in, we’re reminded that “I know so much was finished/ When you died on that tree/ But I don’t believe you’re through with me” (The song’s fade pays a touching tribute to Mark Heard, as a portion of his «My Redeemer Lives» is reprised from ‘Clouds, Rain, Fire’). Finally, Amy Morriss and Brent Bourgeois recount the Lord’s final act with «Into Your Hands», a reminder that we too must daily commit our spirits into God’s hands. The album ends with «Lord, We Remember», a plea from the chorus for the Lord to “Save us where we are.” There isn’t the space to acknowledge the host of talented singers and musicians which make this such a special album. You’ll just have to buy it and read them for yourself, but it will be money well spent. [Bruce A. Brown, CCM, March 1995]
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CD tracklist:
01. Tom Howard – Prelude – 0:46
02. Julie Miller, David Mullen, and Gene Eugene – Forgive Us – 4:08
03. Bryan Duncan – Paradise – 4:44
04. Charlie Peacock – Beloved Ones – 5:12
05. Tom Howard – Reprise – 0:28
06. Marty McCall – Why Have You Forsaken Me – 5:42
07. Tom Howard – I Thirst – 1:09
08. Babbie Mason and Anointed – Come To The River – 4:11
09. Tom Howard – It Is Finished – 2:02
10. Choral feat. Katie Howard – Bread Of Heaven – 2:18
11. Derald Daugherty – The Winds – 4:03
12. Brent Bourgeois and Amy Morriss – Into Your Hands – 4:56
13. Choral – Lord, We Remember – 1:54
Note: Simultaneously released on cassette and CD by Myrrh Records. Re-issued by Imaginary Music in 1997 as a double disc featuring both Volume One and Volume Two as well as new cover artwork.
A full-page advertisement for the multi-artist album At the Foot of the Cross, Volume 2 was featured in Syndicate Magazine #44.
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