Benediction

Description

Benediction is a – mostly – instrumental album by the American singer, songwriter, keyboardist and producer Jeff Johnson, with Brian Dunning, John Fitzpatrick & Jozef Lupták, independently released on Ark Records in September 2002. The album was produced, recorded, and mixed by Jeff Johnson at The Ark in Camano Island, Washington. An ancient-future journey of sacred music which takes the listener along a path of prayer and worship via an eclectic blend of original compositions, Taizé choruses and instrumental arrangements based on ancient Celtic melodies.

Introduction – There is much written and talked about concerning sacred music. Discussions about what’s appropriate music for worship are not new to the contemporary church. My observation is that the Spirit seems to move and inspire people to praise God through many kinds of music. This recording, in collaboration with Brian, John & Jozef, was born from a prayer service that I’ve been involved with for several years that’s called Selah. Our monthly service’s format is loosely based on a more familiar one which originated from the Christian community of Taizé, France. Choruses, instrumental passages and readings are combined with extended times of silent prayer and meditation. This production, much of which was performed live and then embellished later, features a few of our favorite Taizé choruses, original compositions, arrangements based on very old Irish melodies, and several improvised sections. My hope is that it will inspire you to see Christ in the midst of your own life. [Jeff Johnson]

I wasn’t quite sure what to expect when this dropped through my letterbox. ‘Song Of Albion Unplugged,’ perhaps? But this is nothing like as ambitious, and its declared scope of being “a journey of prayer and worship” just about sums itself up. There’s a pretty much equal mix of adapted traditional melodies, original compositions and choruses; a few vocals, but nothing too intrusive. My favourite track is «Trees Walking», an elegantly simple adaptation of a traditional Irish melody that features Jozef Lupták’s velvety cello weaving a graceful pattern with John Fitzpatrick’s violin and Brian Dunning’s flute. Awesome, haunting stuff. ‘Benediction’ would be worth buying for that track alone. [Sue Rann, Cross Rhythms, November 2003]

> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/benediction/6550867)

CD tracklist:

01. Benediction – 2:10
02. Silence in the Day – 4:21
03. O Father, Loyal & True – 6:27
04. In God Alone – 1:54
05. The Summer He Brings – 2:46
06. If Stones Spoke – 2:20
07. Bless the Lord – 3:47
08. Convergence – 2:46
09. Trees Walking – 2:29
10. Jesus, Remember Me – 2:32
11. Sacrament – 2:38
12. Jesus, Keep My Heart – 1:52
13. Benediction (Reprise) – 3:03

Note: Available at Bandcamp: https://jeffjohnsonarkmusic.bandcamp.com/album/benediction