She needs no introduction. Widely known as pop megastar, gospel’s stunning-yet-relatable girl next door, selfless humanitarian, wife and mother-Amy Grant has been positively affecting culture with her love of song for nearly 30 years.
[Read More...]
Buy Rock of Ages…Hymns & Faith at Amazon
Quiz: Can you name one top ten song on the radio right now?
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Travel back a hundred years or so, step through the doors of a small-time, backwater, clapboard church, and you’ll be caught up by the soulful sounds of Amy Grant’s latest disc. From the opening track, Amy lays her heart on the line with nuanced vocals. Sinner, saint, martyr, or scapegoat…she has endured through the years, despite her flaws, by clinging to her faith. And this is nowhere more evident than in “Rock of Ages…”
Although I’ve never been a huge Grant fan (I bought this one for my wife), I could not help being touched by the raw truth and power in these songs. She imbues “I Surrender All” with a joyful willingness; she blends “Jesus Loves Me” and “They’ll Know We are Christians” with lyrical and musical purpose; and she incorporates the straightforward simplicity of her father’s voice in “Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus.” The selection of hymns and lyrics drawn from the 1800s and early 1900s is outstanding. The newer tunes are wonderfully woven into the album’s tapestry. When Amy sings “Tell me Thy secret, help me bear/The strain of toil, the fret of care…O Master let me walk with Thee,” we know she means every word.
For those who have stood beside her, for those who have struggled with her decisions, it is time to see her heart through the lenses of this album. While her wounds are real, her healing is God’s daily miracle. Indeed, He is the “Rock of Ages.” We can all find comfort in that.
This is an enjoyable CD which takes some old hymns and gives them a modern touch. For the most part, the update is a country sound.
Amy Grant has a voice that is superb. She gave a very good performance on several of these songs. In particular, I like her versions of ‘Rock of Ages’, and ‘Abide With Me’. She has a great sounding version of ‘El Shaddai’ on here, but of course this is not the only CD of hers where one could find that.
For those who enjoy a modern twist on old hymns, this is a worthwhile collection. I would also recommend the recent CDs by ‘Passion’ and ‘Jars of Clay’ which have also done that.