Jimmy Needham - The Hymns Sessions: Vol. 1
Artist:
Title:
The Hymns Sessions: Vol. 1
Type:
Album
Released:
10 Sep 2013
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Review
Last year singer songwriter Jimmy Needham wrote and recorded his greatest album to date, 'Clear The Stage', and now he is back with the wonderful 'Hymns Sessions: Vol. 1'. The album has some new takes on the classics and a couple of newer songs that were written by Jimmy and performed in his unique style.
I didn't know what to expect from this new release. My fears were soon put to the side as once the atmospheric and even haunting Christos Anesti finished we were into the brilliant upbeat tracks of The Gospel and Rock of Ages. These versions are performed...
Read More Last year singer songwriter Jimmy Needham wrote and recorded his greatest album to date, 'Clear The Stage', and now he is back with the wonderful 'Hymns Sessions: Vol. 1'. The album has some new takes on the classics and a couple of newer songs that were written by Jimmy and performed in his unique style.
I didn't know what to expect from this new release. My fears were soon put to the side as once the atmospheric and even haunting Christos Anesti finished we were into the brilliant upbeat tracks of The Gospel and Rock of Ages. These versions are performed in a very modern style and have really moved on from their original versions.
Come Thou Fount has a very jazzy feel, think Jamie Cullum plonking on the piano and some finger clicking beats and this will give you an idea of what it sounds like. It was so easy to forget it was an amazing worship hymn, and this style really works for the song. The traditionalists among you might not like it, but it works in my opinion.
The next two tracks are probably the most well known hymns ever, Great Is Thy Faithfulness and How Great Thou Art. Both have been sung time and time again. Great Is Thy Faithfulness is the closest song on this album to the original version, and it's the vocals of Jimmy, and Kevin Jones, that makes it different with some wonderful harmonies. If you want to hear something really different then Jimmy's version of How Great Thou Art is worth checking out. Trip Lee puts a brilliant rap in the middle of the track, but the song doesn't lose it's power at all.
Joyful Joyful is also given a jazz makeover. Jimmy really does know how to sing the jazz vocals and this song is just wonderful to listen to. Another stunning song on the album is the track It Is Well. It sounds like it was recorded in a small room with just one mic and one guitar because the way this is captured is just so raw and honest. I had to close my eyes and sing along with the words. "Praise the Lord, praise the Lord ohhh my soul". Powerful stuff.
It's not easy to release a covers version of classic hymns. Do you keep to the original, do you flip the song on its side, do you find a middle ground? Hard questions to answer and no real right answer as everyone wants something different. What Jimmy has done with this release is be honest to himself. He has produced these songs how he would have recorded them if he had written them today. This must be complimented. For me, I love Jimmy and his style, the way he sings these amazing hymns of worship makes it hard not to join in and worship God along with the CD. A wonderful collection of hymns recorded by a wonderful vocalist.
Review by Jono Davies
LTTM Rating 4 Out of 5 Stars
Standout Tracks
It Is Well
Joyful Joyful
Great is Thy Faithfulness
