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| ><> CMR Album Review <>< |
'Hymned Again'
[Release Date: August 19, 2008] (INO Records)
Track Listing
1. Stand Up, Stand Up For Jesus
2. What A Day That Will Be
3. I Saw The Light
4. What A Friend We Have In Jesus
5. I Stand Amazed
6. Jesus Cares For Me
7. Victory In Jesus
8. Brethren We Have Met To Worship
1. Stand Up, Stand Up For Jesus
2. What A Day That Will Be
3. I Saw The Light
4. What A Friend We Have In Jesus
5. I Stand Amazed
6. Jesus Cares For Me
7. Victory In Jesus
8. Brethren We Have Met To Worship
| ><> Review Written By: Jay Heilman (jay.heilman@christianmusicreview.org) <>< ><> Date Written: August 11, 2008 <>< |
| [ Main Review ] |
| [ Writer's Closing Thoughts ] |
| All in all, I was impressed with Millard’s effort on the second Hymned album. I was really hoping that he would come back with a second CD, considering the first solo record was aptly titled, Hymned No. 1. Although as I mentioned in the review that I love hymns, I wasn’t as impressed with this one as I was with the first, but I can pretty much guarantee anyone who enjoys not only the hymns, but Millard’s first record, will be sure to like this one. Musically it’s way different then his material with MercyMe, but that’s what I like about it the most. Doing a solo record outside your main group’s material gives an artist an opportunity to do the style he likes the most and that’s what you have with Hymned Again. Impressive work here! |
Back in August of 2005, MercyMe front-man Bart Millard released his first solo CD. I was
somewhat surprised at what content he would cover with the solo disc, considering it was
so different from the material he had done with MercyMe. But, when I first took a listen to
Hymned No. 1, I was blown away! I only wish it was not one of the reviews that I had written
that had been lost in our great site deletion last September (2008). I was particularly
proud of that one. The CD was amazing and in the review I had mentioned that I was ‘a
sucker for the hymns’. Hymns are an absolute favorite of mine. They come from a time
that wasn’t marred with radio charts and record sales. They were written with the intent
purpose of helping God’s people bring praise and worship to the Lord Himself, in the form
of music. If only the focus of music remained the same today.
Fast forward two years from Millard’s successful solo debut, Hymned No. 1 to his brand-
new solo disc, a sequel if you will, simply titled Hymned Again. Bart is back with an all new
array of hymns done in only a way that he can do them. There are some real good ones
on here too. The first song of note, in which I find myself singing not only in church, but
sometimes while I work during the day is, “What a Day That Will Be”. The song is constant
reminder that this world is not our home, and that a day is coming that we will just stand in
awe in. The hymn, originally written in 1955 by Jim Hill remains one of my favorites to this
day. The chorus speaks volumes, it is written, “What a day that will be when my Jesus I
shall see, / And I look upon His face, / The One who saved me by His grace; / When He
takes me by the hand / And leads me through the Promised Land, / What a day, glorious
day that will be.”
Another track on this record that caught my attention was the Hank Williams’ penned
revelation, “I Saw the Light”. I have to be honest; I had not heard this one too often. The
church that I had gone to for nearly 4 years had hymn books, but no hymn in the book was
newer then 1937, so I had not heard this one. But after hearing Bart’s version along with a
live version from David Crowder*Band’s Remedy Club Live (which also released August
19th), and a reference to the song on DecembeRadio’s new song from Satisfied,
“Gasoline”, I quickly grew to love this song and its dynamic message. While Williams
himself battled with alcohol addiction, he points out in the song, “Praise the Lord, I saw the
light”. I think we can all relate to that in some way or another, Amen?
For those of you who have listened to Hymned No. 1, you’ll notice that Amy Grant’s
husband and country superstar Vince Gill lends his signature voice to “Pass Me Not, O
Gentle Savior”. Well he’s back for round two, this time lending his voice to the record’s
sole Millard written song, “Jesus Cares for Me”. The duet between the two once again is
simply amazing and the song itself proves and solidifies Millard’s ability to write thought-
provoking and ministering music. Who knows, maybe someday, “Jesus Cares for Me” will
end up in a modern hymn-book. You never know!
Bart also covers one of my all-time favorites with “Victory in Jesus”, written in 1939 by
Eugene Bartlett. I especially like the musical arrangement for the track as well. It almost
sounds like something you would hear on a Broadway musical. It’s got a ‘big band’ sound
to it that makes it sound much different then the traditional arrangement. Nice stuff here.
Another hymn included on the record, “Down at the Cross”, a hymn that most are familiar
with and perhaps the oldest hymn covered on the album, written in 1878 by Elisha
Hoffman. Bart gives the song a revamped country bluesy-rock sound that shines
throughout this wonderfully written piece of music. The words of “Down at the Cross”,
could very well fit in with a lot of the praise and worship tunes found today in modern
churches.
The last song that stuck out, with it’s beautifully simplicity is “Grace That Is Greater”. The
song simply features Millard on vocals with a female vocalist providing the harmonizing
BGV’s and a ukulele playing was simple, but effective in its delivery. First thing I thought of
when I heard the music was Tiny Tim. Not the singing, but the ukulele. I don’t know why,
but hey, things pop in your head sometimes and you wonder, ‘Where the heck did that
come from?” lol.
Lending BGV’s on the album once again is the talented Anthony Evans. I much enjoyed
his contributions on Hymned No. 1 and his work on this is just as stellar. Passion and
Watermark’s Christy Nockels lends her voice on “I Stand Amazed” as well.
somewhat surprised at what content he would cover with the solo disc, considering it was
so different from the material he had done with MercyMe. But, when I first took a listen to
Hymned No. 1, I was blown away! I only wish it was not one of the reviews that I had written
that had been lost in our great site deletion last September (2008). I was particularly
proud of that one. The CD was amazing and in the review I had mentioned that I was ‘a
sucker for the hymns’. Hymns are an absolute favorite of mine. They come from a time
that wasn’t marred with radio charts and record sales. They were written with the intent
purpose of helping God’s people bring praise and worship to the Lord Himself, in the form
of music. If only the focus of music remained the same today.
Fast forward two years from Millard’s successful solo debut, Hymned No. 1 to his brand-
new solo disc, a sequel if you will, simply titled Hymned Again. Bart is back with an all new
array of hymns done in only a way that he can do them. There are some real good ones
on here too. The first song of note, in which I find myself singing not only in church, but
sometimes while I work during the day is, “What a Day That Will Be”. The song is constant
reminder that this world is not our home, and that a day is coming that we will just stand in
awe in. The hymn, originally written in 1955 by Jim Hill remains one of my favorites to this
day. The chorus speaks volumes, it is written, “What a day that will be when my Jesus I
shall see, / And I look upon His face, / The One who saved me by His grace; / When He
takes me by the hand / And leads me through the Promised Land, / What a day, glorious
day that will be.”
Another track on this record that caught my attention was the Hank Williams’ penned
revelation, “I Saw the Light”. I have to be honest; I had not heard this one too often. The
church that I had gone to for nearly 4 years had hymn books, but no hymn in the book was
newer then 1937, so I had not heard this one. But after hearing Bart’s version along with a
live version from David Crowder*Band’s Remedy Club Live (which also released August
19th), and a reference to the song on DecembeRadio’s new song from Satisfied,
“Gasoline”, I quickly grew to love this song and its dynamic message. While Williams
himself battled with alcohol addiction, he points out in the song, “Praise the Lord, I saw the
light”. I think we can all relate to that in some way or another, Amen?
For those of you who have listened to Hymned No. 1, you’ll notice that Amy Grant’s
husband and country superstar Vince Gill lends his signature voice to “Pass Me Not, O
Gentle Savior”. Well he’s back for round two, this time lending his voice to the record’s
sole Millard written song, “Jesus Cares for Me”. The duet between the two once again is
simply amazing and the song itself proves and solidifies Millard’s ability to write thought-
provoking and ministering music. Who knows, maybe someday, “Jesus Cares for Me” will
end up in a modern hymn-book. You never know!
Bart also covers one of my all-time favorites with “Victory in Jesus”, written in 1939 by
Eugene Bartlett. I especially like the musical arrangement for the track as well. It almost
sounds like something you would hear on a Broadway musical. It’s got a ‘big band’ sound
to it that makes it sound much different then the traditional arrangement. Nice stuff here.
Another hymn included on the record, “Down at the Cross”, a hymn that most are familiar
with and perhaps the oldest hymn covered on the album, written in 1878 by Elisha
Hoffman. Bart gives the song a revamped country bluesy-rock sound that shines
throughout this wonderfully written piece of music. The words of “Down at the Cross”,
could very well fit in with a lot of the praise and worship tunes found today in modern
churches.
The last song that stuck out, with it’s beautifully simplicity is “Grace That Is Greater”. The
song simply features Millard on vocals with a female vocalist providing the harmonizing
BGV’s and a ukulele playing was simple, but effective in its delivery. First thing I thought of
when I heard the music was Tiny Tim. Not the singing, but the ukulele. I don’t know why,
but hey, things pop in your head sometimes and you wonder, ‘Where the heck did that
come from?” lol.
Lending BGV’s on the album once again is the talented Anthony Evans. I much enjoyed
his contributions on Hymned No. 1 and his work on this is just as stellar. Passion and
Watermark’s Christy Nockels lends her voice on “I Stand Amazed” as well.
9. Leaning On The Everlasting Arms
10. Down At The Cross
11. Grace That Is Greater
| 4.0 |
| 2.2 |
| 2.0 |
| 0.5 |
| 8.7 |
| 87% B |
