SPOTLIGHT CD REVIEW: HYMNAL- DAVID PHELPS

SOUTHERN GOSPEL SPOTLIGHT PRESENTS:

CD REVIEW:

HYMNAL

DAVID PHELPS

LABEL: GAITHER MUSIC GROUP

PRODUCER: DAVID PHELPS (also arranger and composer)

RELEASE DATE: AVAILABLE NOW (MARCH 24, 2017)

REVIEW COPY PROVIDED COURTESY OF GAITHER MUSIC GROUP

SONG LIST:

Prelude: Come Worship Brethren, We Have Met To Worship In The Garden He Lives How Great Thou Art Only Trust Him Suite: Surrender Interlude: Wrestling With God I Surrender All It Is Well With My Soul Something Beautiful Goodbye World Goodbye Battle Hymn Of The Republic As The Deer Victory In Jesus Suite: Grace Invention: The Crown I Wear Matchless Grace Amazing Grace Until Then

THOUGHTS:

There are artists that come along who make an impact on the music field that will never be forgotten. One such artist is the incomparable David Phelps. Phelps is back again with another incredible musical experience in the form of Hymnal: A Journey Of Faith Through Praise.” The award winning vocalist’s talent is on full display on this record not only in terms of his voice but his musical arranging and composing. I was blown away by the creative and intricate ways Phelps reinvented timeless classics such as: adding a waltz tempo to “In The Garden,” the slowing down “Goodbye World Goodbye,” and the up-tempo of “He Lives,” and many others. Another example of this is his groovy version of “Victory In Jesus,” featuring his eldest daughter Callie. The way the CD is structured is reminiscent of a Church program with a prelude (complete with church bells), interlude, invention which is unique and suited for worship. The orchestration and musical accompaniment on this record is epic and brilliant. I must commend the many musicians for their work as well. Rather than analyze each song, I will focus on my personal favorite tracks. The first of these is a rousing rendition of “How Great Thou Art.” Phelps is in top form on this up-tempo version complete with incredible high notes. Another highlight is the emotional “I Surrender All.” Phelps’s voice combined with the epic orchestration makes this for me one of the best tracks on this record. Phelps delivers another powerful performance on a beautiful version of “It Is Well With My Soul,” featuring guitar accompaniment serving as the second “voice” in the duet. There have been many versions of “Amazing Grace” but Phelps’s version is quite possibly the best I have ever heard. It gave me chills!! The a cappella arrangement is simply brilliant as is the vocals by Phelps and the background vocals. Last but certainly not least is Phelps’s take on the classic hymn “Until Then,” which simply blew me away. The closing high note was incredible.

FINAL THOUGHTS:

THIS RECORD IS DAVID PHELPS’S BEST WORK IN MY HUMBLE OPINION. HIS VOCALS ARE TOP NOTCH AND HIS CREATIVE ARRANGEMENTS BROUGHT NEW LIFE ONCE AGAIN TO THESE TIMELESS CLASSICS. SIMPLY BRILLIANT!!

GO OUT AND GET THIS CD NOW!!

5 OUT 5 STARS

FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT: www.gaither.com and www.davidphelps.com