Description
Hymns & Sacred Songs is a solo album by the American singer Leigh Nash of Sixpence None the Richer fame, released on Integrity Music in November 2011.
The vocalist from Sixpence None The Richer returns with this collection of updated hymns with help on two tracks from Chris Eaton («Oh Heart Bereaved And Lonely» and «Praise The Lord Who Reigns Above»). Producer John Hartley (Phil and John, and the Apostles Creed album), now based in Nashville, adds his expertise on what to these ears was a pleasant surprise! It is an easy trap to fall into when faced with a track list mainly made up of lyrics largely written in the 18th and 19th centuries, to think that the album would not sound relevant to the 21st century listener! How wrong you would be. The opener «Saviour Like A Shepherd Lead Us» begins with banjo which would feel at home with Mumford And Sons, «Isaiah 55» equally sounds up to date with its guitar opening. Sometimes the arrangements do not work so well, the Victorian music box opening on «Come Thou Fount Of Every Blessing» becomes irritating after a few listens! Outstanding tracks include the more recent «Out Of My Bondage» with its great acoustic opening, and the atmospheric closing track «Be Still My Soul» with its heart stirring lyrics and call to faith. This album will get attention because of Leigh’s beautiful vocals and its EMI distribution, but it deserves it also for the wealth of majestic lyrics contained within. [Stephen Luff, Cross Rhythms, January 2012]
It’s hard to go wrong with this combination: Leigh Nash has the sort of vocals that could stop a troll from going on a rampage, while time-tested hymns so often convey so much so eloquently.
My initial reaction, however, was that there is too little light and shade – song after song with such a distinctive voice and no instrumental break was beginning to sound samey – but over many plays the tunes evolved and are truly strong enough in their own right to draw the listener in, right to the end. More than this, the album bears immediate repeat play.
The song choice works well and there are several contenders for best track, but front runner must be «Saviour, Like a Shepherd Lead Us». It kicks off the set and you would hardly know it is a hymn from this arrangement. From the jaunty banjo introduction that keeps the song charged all the way through to those accent harmonies, this is just about perfect.
«O Heart Bereaved and Lonely» has different strengths. It is unusual for Nash to take a melancholy song, but having experienced significant bereavement of late, she adds well to the song’s gravitas, built on a portentous drum line, resonant bass fills and plenty of space.
On tracks like «Isaiah 55», with Paul Mabury’s elevating drumming, Stu G’s sparkling guitar and all the textural stuff behind them, let’s admit it: this might just as well be Sixpence None the Richer – and that’s something to celebrate.
One particularly surprising selection is «Come, Ye Thankful People, Come», which I have probably not heard covered in my last 12 years of reviewing – at least not in a contemporary version. It is a harvest hymn, but like the best carols, its truths stand all year round.
These songs have all of life inside: praise for God’s wonder and salvation; thanks for his provision; comfort in distress; hope for the future; a declaration of peaceful stillness and celebration of freedom.
Nash still sounds beautiful. In the liner notes, she thanks Brett Manning “for helping my voice grow up a little more.” There are times when she sings beyond her trademark whimsical tone. She plays this simply, honestly and with feeling, eschewing anything overdone. However she sings, Nash could make a shopping list sound magical.
The title reveals that this is not just hymns, but also sacred songs. This fusing of material blends the project beautifully. As well as old hymns played straight, there are others with new tunes («Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing»); a Getty/Townsend new song («Power of the Cross») typically structured as something more classic; and a couple of newer songs that sound lighter.
Little is wrong here. The verses of «Give Myself to You» sound a little cheap, although it builds to a decent Nash chorus. One or two tracks are less arresting, but still decent. Overall, the album is exceedingly well put together.
John Hartley seems to have a way with producing female vocalists and this is another masterful job: atmospheric, lush, shiny and with a crisp percussive edge. It helps that Derri Daugherty and Shane Wilson have made a perfect mix. It is often true that the appeal of ‘growers’ lasts longer than instant collections and this is another case in point. Nice job. [Derek Walker, The Phantom Tollbooth, 31 May 2012]
> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/hymns-and-sacred-songs/1796966945)
CD tracklist:
01. Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us (Blessed Jesus) – 3:31
02. Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing – 2:58
03. Isaiah 55 – 4:02
04. Oh Heart Bereaved and Lonely – 3:43
05. Power of the Cross – 5:07
06. Give Myself To You – 3:07
07. Come Ye Thankful People Come – 2:51
08. Blessed Redeemer – 3:55
09. Out of My Bondage – 3:34
10. Song of Moses – 4:22
11. Praise the Lord Who reigns Above – 4:11
12. Be Still My Soul – 5:34
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.