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A Journey of Hymns By Steven Kapp Perry "A Prayer Unto Thee" by Kenneth Cope, Embryo Records. Music review by Steven Kapp Perry Come with me. That's the quiet but insistent call I hear from Kenneth Cope's new album of hymns to our Savior called "A Prayer Unto Thee." Come wander the shimmering Italian landscape with St. Francis of Assisi and hear him sigh a gentle and joyful "Alleluia" as he takes it all in (Hymns, #62); squeeze into a wooden pew and hear the voice of Martin Luther preach "He overcometh all, he saveth from the fall (Hymns, #68);" or hold your breath and listen with Sarah Adams when her lips are the first ever to whisper, "E'en though it be a cross that lifteth me, still all my song shall be Nearer my God to Thee (Hymns, #100)." Rediscovery Unlike many hymn albums where the artist and the arrangements draw the focus, this is a collection where the hymns themselves and the voices of the original writers are clearly what's on display. In fact while listening I had the feeling I was standing side-by-side with the singer--gazing at a familiar painting together while he pointed out colors and shapes I might have missed, guiding me to rediscover it's loveliness for myself. Inventive But Timeless The 10 cuts on this latest release from Embryo records aren't just single hymns, but mini-medleys with a few well-chosen lines of "Lead, Kindly Light" introducing the main theme of "I Need Thee Every Hour," for instance, or a snippet of "Be Still My Soul" as a segue between "Master the Tempest is Raging," and "How Great Thou Art." "I Need Thee Every Hour" begins in 4/4 instead of the traditional 3/4 hymnbook version, and the unexpected change to minor on the phrase "They all shall sweetly obey Thy will" makes it achingly sweet indeed. This inventiveness, coupled with the restraint of the orchestrations (most by Tyler Castleton, three by Kenneth) which support the emotion of the hymns without calling attention to themselves, creates a very consistent and satisfying devotional album. The overall orchestral quality of the accompaniment is punctuated with solo violin and cello, string quartet, brass choir, and recorder--even the ethereal synth washes maintain the feeling of timelessness. About The Artist With a discography ranging from choral and orchestral to guitar-centered pop, this Pearl Award-winning artist can be difficult to pin down, unless you just peg him as committed. Kenneth Cope's passion for communicating the gospel has been evident since the 1989 release of his best-selling "Greater Than Us All." The careful research and thoughtful approach to subjects he obviously loves have continued through the releases of "My Servant Joseph," and last year's contemporary "Stories from Eden's Garden." "A Prayer Unto Thee" is a worthy successor. Approaching The Universal Through The Personal Throughout the album Kenneth has freely adapted the "we," "us," and "him" of the original hymn texts to "I," "me," and "thou." This works well in an album which is an extended musical personal prayer, with the exception of "Because I Have Been Given Much" in which he replaces part of the third verse with a new verse of his own. This is the only place I felt my otherwise trustworthy guide had stepped between me and the painting, supplanting instead of interpreting the author's voice. Whether this album is for you may depend on your preference of vocal style; Kenneth definitely comes from the world of pop and there are hints of his trademark stylings throughout these reverent and heartfelt performances. Still, the overall effect is one of honesty and simplicity without the barriers of self-conscious technique which sometimes make classical hymn interpretations distant and cold. It's been a while since a collection of hymns found a permanent place in my CD rack, but the distance between the opening and closing Alleluias on this new album is a thoughtful and gentle journey I want to repeat. And if you're like me, your most natural response after a once-through listening to "A Prayer Unto Thee," will simply be, "Amen."  Back to 'News' Back to 'A Prayer Unto Thee' |
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