New `Inspirational' CDs Range Widely

Recently released CDs by LDS artists run the gamut from sacred to contemporary sounds.

by Laurie Williams Sowby

New releases by LDS musicians and recording artists show the wide range of music being created and performed across the church. Many were either nominated or selected as winners in the 2004 Pearl Awards, voted on by members of the Faith-Centered Music Association. Here's a sampling of the solo vocals, groups and instrumental albums available.

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-- The Tabernacle Choir, which won a Pearl Award for last year's wonderful Consider the Lilies as well as performing artist and group of the year for 2004, has a new sacred album out, titled Peace Like a River. Ranging from lush to lyrical, the cuts include Mack Wilberg's top-notch arrangements of such favorites as "Be Still My Soul" and "Deep River," along with Barlow Bradford's touching arrangement of Janice Kapp Perry's "A Child's Prayer" among the 17. John Rutter's "All Things Bright and Beautiful" and "A Gaelic Blessing" also appear on this soothing, beautiful album filled with "songs of hope and consolation." (Mormon Tabernacle Choir, $15.98)

-- Tammy Simister Robinson proves her ability as composer and arranger as well as vocalist in her delightful new CD, In His Hands. Along with her original arrangements of "Ten Thousand Flowers" and "Now Thank We All Our God," there are several new songs, including the title cut with its excellent vocal harmonies and a lovely cell-flute-piano instrumental, "Where Angels Dance." Arrangements employ various instruments to add interest. "In Thy Hands," "In a Sacred Garden," and "All My Heart" would certainly be appropriate for performance in sacrament meeting. (See tsrmusic.com to order print copies of the music.) (Sounds of Zion/TSR, $15.98)

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-- Tenor George Dyer, the Pearl Award winner for male recording artist, mixes traditional and contemporary but manages a classical feel throughout on his sacred album, A New Song. Listeners will discover several which are new to them, especially those sung in Italian. "One Note," a beautiful song written by Kurt Bestor and Brent Walker, features Igor Gruppmann on violin. There are also are John Williams' "Far and Away" with Bestor's words, Handel's "He Shall Feed His Flock," and a new arrangement of "The Lord's Prayer." "The Prayer," popularized by Josh Groban and Charlotte Church and featuring Jenny Jordan Frogley in a duet with Dyer here, seems a little out of vocal character with the rest of the album. (Shadow Mountain, $15.98)

-- Jessie Clark Funk was named female recording of the artist of the year, and her first album, Clay in His Hands, was named inspirational album. Its title cut was also named Inspirational recording. Not bad for a young newcomer. "Clay" is definitely in the contemporary vein, as Greg Hansen's arrangements add modern flair to covers of some other LDS songwriters' works, all with lyrics affirming God's love. Funk's bright vocal style is consistent, beginning with the upbeat, winning title song by Jenny Jordan Frogley, to the final cut, an EFY favorite, "Keeper of the Flame." There are mellower renditions of Michael McLean's "Hold On," plus "I Will Go and Do" and "Go in Peace." (Sounds of Zion, $15.98)

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-- Also quite contemporary, although not necessarily geared toward Latter-day Saints, is a group of four women who call themselves -- and their first album -- Providence. The 10 songs, exhibiting a more mainstream Christian bent as well as a stronger contemporary sound, speak to women with themes of hope and encouragement in such titles as "In the Meantime," "Keep Breathing" and "You'll Get Through This." Often, it's a sultry-voiced contralto singing lead while the others back her up. However, the four are at their best with tight, four-part harmonies; those don't seem to occur frequently enough, but when they do, it's a treat. Check out "I Need Thee Every Hour" and "His Love is a Circle." (Shadow Mountain, $15.98)

-- My Soul Hungered is a first for Barry Hansen, a graphic designer who's turning his singing hobby into a career. The versatile tenor sings a variety of tunes written by others, plus an original anthem, "The Title of Liberty," co-written with brother Greg Hansen. He does nicely on Hilary Weeks' "Still Believe," Kenneth Cope's classic "His Hands," and the title song by Kurt Bestor and Steven K. Jones, all with varied accompaniments. The tender rendition of Lex de Azevedo's "He Gave His Life for Me" is especially moving. There are 12 songs on this first CD, including a "bonus" track of him singing Josh Groban's "To Where You Are" -- a challenge which Hansen meets admirably. (Sounds of Zion, $15.98)

-- Violin and piano are the essential ingredients of My Redeemer Lives, Vol. II: Galilee, featuring the arranging and performing talents of Todd McCabe and April Moriarty on 15 tracks. While the piano accompaniments are often arpeggios and broken chords, they sometimes provide harmony to the violin's melody. Moriarty handles double stops deftly, notably on "The Lord is My Shepherd" and "Love One Another." McCabe has created an unusual minor-mode arrangement of "Master, the Tempest is Raging," taking liberties with the melodic line. His piano-only renditions of "Jesus, the Very Thought of Thee" and "More Holiness Give Me" are well done. (Sounds of Zion, $15.98)

-- Dustin Gledhill's second album, Always, takes the young pianist beyond piano solos to original compositions and arrangements and even vocal renditions. More daring than his first CD, "A Gentle Touch," this one is more creative than reverent, although the theme remains positive and uplifting. While retaining the words to "Each Life That Touches Ours for Good" and "Count Your Blessings," he's created new melodies, which he sings. The title cut features his original words as well as music, while "Abide with Me" and "Still, Still, Still" sound traditional. Some pieces have violin and cello enhancements, but Rachmaninoff's "Moment Musical" gets a solo performance by Gledhill's nimble fingers. (Covenant Communications, $15.95)

-- Vocalist Karen Larsen joins forces with pianist Marvin Goldstein for "Come Unto Him," an album of 15 sacred songs. Larsen's operatic voice ranges from alto to soprano with ease, and she teams with George Dyer for an interesting piece combining both versions of "O My Father." They also sing a duet, "The Still, Small Voice." "Feed My Sheep" is an original song by Larsen and Annette Dickman. Interesting medley-like combos include "Joseph Smith's First Prayer" with "Faith;" "Thy Spirit, Lord, has Stirred our Souls" with "Be Thou Humble;" and three hymns, "All Creatures of Our God and King," "Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing," and "Come, Follow Me." (Sounds of Zion, $15.98)