Canticles for the Heart [Import]

Of all the instrumental hymn recordings I've heard, I like this one the best; but you don't have to like hymns, or even instrumental music, to appreciate this. Some of my favorite moments are the inspiring interludes of original music that are interspersed with the traditional melodies.

Anyone familiar with "Just As I Am" the song that has closed so many Billy Graham crusades, will no doubt be moved by the ethereal sounding keyboards and gentle flute that open the version found here. The title song, A Quiet Knowing, is a beautiful, almost mournful keyboard composition. It has a welcome quieting affect on me. I had never heard the hymn Love Divine before but the music found here sounds heavenly.

Even though the music is mellow, there's lots of variety. The songs do not all sound the same. There's a good mix of arrangements with varying tempo. Great Is Thy Faithfulness is a violin solo, and Jesus Loves Me is a short cello solo. Most of the songs have a strong Celtic and Appalachian influence.

Producer and keyboard player, Jeff Johnson, is joined by Brian Dunning on flutes and accordion, John Fitzpatrick on violin, Tim Ellis on guitar, Gregg Williams on percussion, Phil Baker on bass and Jami Sieber on cello.

Even though I consider this to be the best instrumental hymn recording I have heard, you don't have to like hymns to enjoy this. Some of my favorite moments are the inspiring interludes of original music that are interspersed with the familiar hymn melodies.

Anyone familiar with "Just As I Am" the song that has closed so many Billy Graham crusades, will no doubt be moved by the ethereal sounding keyboards and gentle flute that open the version found here. The title song, A Quiet Knowing, is a beautiful, almost mournful keyboard composition. In my mind, the song invokes both longing and rest. I had never heard the hymn Love Divine before but the music found here is heavenly sounding.

Even though the music is mellow, there's lots of variety. The songs do not all sound the same. There's a good mix of arrangements, some slow and others faster. Great Is Thy Faithfulness is a violin solo, and Jesus Loves Me is a short cello solo. Most of the songs have a strong Celtic and Appalachian influence.

Producer and keyboard player, Jeff Johnson, is joined by Brian Dunning on flutes and accordion, John Fitzpatrick on violin, Tim Ellis on guitar, Gregg Williams on percussion, Phil Baker on bass and Jami Sieber on cello.