Description
Faith & Heartache is the sophomore album by the American singer and songwriter Jeremy Casella, independently released on 2037 Music in 2002. The album was recorded by BJ Aberle and Josh Davis with Jeremy Casella and BJ Aberle producing. Mixed by BJ Aberle.
With a title worthy of a Johnny Cash album, Jeremy Casella debuts with ‘Faith and Heartache’. Fans of last year’s Christmas album Your King Has Come may recognize his name – he contributed the song «Joyful Fire». A lot of the same crowd that performed on that CD is here as well, including Will Sayles, Andrew Osenga (The Normals), Derek Webb and Sandra McCracken (Caedmon’s Call). Also present on mando-guitar and pedal steel is the acclaimed Kenny Hutson, sometime member of VoL.
With friends like these, you would think Casella’s work would have a lot to live up to. He does not disappoint. With vocals somewhere between Chris Rice, Jars of Clay, and Bill Mallonee. ‘Faith & Heartache’ blends Americana, adult alternative, newgrass, and rearranged hymns into a mix that is very, very good.
There are three hymns here: «Speak and All My Soul is Peace», «Guide Me O Thou Great Jehovah», and «Hills of Light». All have disappeared from our churches of late, with updated hymnals and the trend toward modern worship. Casella illustrates (much like Rich Mullins) that these songs should be embraced, and not discarded, as they point the listener toward God.
Of the original tunes, «Best Intentions» is the standout, with «Lazarus» a close second. The themes of the CD are summed up in the title – the songs here demonstrate what life is truly like – we hold to our faith as best we can during the trying times, and the low point of life, while (hopefully) realizing and relying on our need for God. The lyrics are insightful, and require repeated listens – not because they are hard to understand, but because you hear a new truth every time you play them.
‘Faith and Heartache’, simply put, is one of the best CDs I’ve had the pleasure of reviewing this year. My only complaint is that at 33 minutes, it is almost an EP rather than a full length record. [Brian A. Smith, The Phantom Tollbooth, 3/17/2003]
> iTunes (https://music.apple.com/us/album/faith-heartache/1034148260)
CD tracklist:
01. Speak and All My Soul Is Peace
02. Walking on Water
03. Best Intentions
04. Lazarus
05. Hills of Light
06. Place Your Bets
07. Psalm 62
08. Not Forgotten
09. The Purchase
10. Guide Me O Thou Great Jehovah
Note: Available at Bandcamp: https://jeremycasella.bandcamp.com/album/faith-heartache
[youtube_sc url=”” playlist=”BI0CyhRm_qA,lw972cCq5fI,X5G9ets9PVk,78I5lr5HBTU,-ImnyOAJvVM,oXSnXYTknzk,94Dx36BIdhM,oVFwb7quli8,Ek4I3NEuxNU,tKXp5SXAKgk” title=”Jeremy Casella, Faith and Heartache – Speak and All My Soul Is Peace + Walking on Water + Best Intentions + Lazarus + Hills of Light + Place Your Bets + Psalm 62 + Not Forgotten + The Purchase + Guide Me O Thou Great Jehovah” autohide=”1″ rel=”0″]
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.