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Passion: Hymns Ancient and Modern
This album is a compilation of various artists from the Passion Worship Band. They have classic hymns of the Christian faith and have rearranged them. The result is an energetic worship album with much zeal behind the music.
The lead song sets the tone for this album with 'O Worship the King'. This anthem of the faith proclaims that gospel loud and clear. The matchless King Jesus is acclaimed during this hymn. He is hailed as the rightful and reigning king. The chorus enters with power and 'You alone are the matchless King' is sung loud. His attributes and character are sung in the verses.
The album continues with the Doxology which is set to a slower and more traditional tune but then breaks into joyful praise with drums entering. After the doxology we hear the first song by Charlie Hall, Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee. It enters in a different type of rhythmic chant but then the melody kicks in only momentarily and them the 'Joyful, Joyful, we adore thee' chorus resumes a rhythmic driven section again. Overall this song gets off to a very different start and the sections of melody and few and far between. I did not enjoy this particular arrangement.
Christy Nockels begins the next song and lends some balance with a slower and more polished rendition of Praise to the Lord, The Almighty. I enjoyed her voice and the slower pace of this tunes. Her annunciation is particularly clear and her voice is very clear.
Matt Redman joins in next with Father Let me Dedicate. I was not impressed. The opening is too slow and the singing sounds particularly depressed. I have heard much better anthems of "Be Glorified in Me" which is what is used for the chorus of this song. Enough said.
Charlie Hall sings the great hymn of the faith How Great Thou Art next. He is constantly singing "How Great You Are" instead of "How Great Thou Art". I was not pleased with this change and some of the lines that are sung towards the end. I prefer so many of the other reditions that I have heard throughout the years.
A strong rendition of All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name is next and is much more traditional in its arrangement. They break into a "Raise up the crown" in the middle which is transitioned smoothly. All creatures of our God and King comes up next and it one of my favorite songs on the album. It has a strong drum beat throughout and is sung is a pleasantly deep voice. Perhaps that is why I enjoy it so much. I particular like the slight pause after the "Ohhhh Praise Him. Halleujah.... (pause) Praise, Praise the Father, Praise the Son." It nicely emphasizes the praise given to Jesus. This song has some live crowd noise piped in. I am not sure if it was recorded live or not.
The Solid Rock is up next by Charlie Hall and just like Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee, this song is sung in a highly rhythmic fashion. I am begining to wonder whether Hall can sing anything but this style.
The next song is not so much a song as it is a poem recited from the early church called Phos Hilaron or Hail Gladening Light. This poem is recited by a group and most appropriately hails Jesus as the light. It introduced the next song which is the same poem put to music. Needless to say, this beautiful poem from the early church is a welcome addition to this album.
Matt Redman sings Here is love in a fairly traditional sense. He begins with very light instrumentals and builds. The words are often sung not more that a drum and electric guitar. It builds to a crescendo in the middle of the song and continues strong until the end when it fades and ends in the same way that it entered.
Christy Nockels has a beautiful and most fair rendition of Fairest Jord Jesus. It is sung in the same spirit as the earlier Praise the Lord, The Almighty. Her voice is by far the most polished on the album.
Lastly, the album finishes with Take my Life which is an appropriate song for the end of the album. It is beautifully arranged and is sung in a heart of dedication to God.
Overall, I enjoyed this album and find myself skipping the songs done by Charlie Hall. All other songs on the album has nicely arranged some classic hymns. If you enjoy hymns and new arrangements you will likely enjoy most of the songs on this album.
