The Hymns Sessions Vol.1 | Posted September 10, 2013
Album Title: The Hymns Sessions Vol.1
Album Artist: Jimmy Needham
Best Tracks: Christos Anesti, Rock of Ages, Come Thou Fount, Great is thy Faithfulness, How Great Thou Art, It is Well, It is Finished
Rating: 4.8/5
The most awaited self-produced album from Jimmy Needham, The Hymns Sessions Vol.1 is coming out September 10. It will be available in CD and Digital Formats. The album features 10 songs (eight traditional hymns and two original tunes from Needham). The album showcases his unique voice and musical style. Surely, you'll enjoy the entirety of the album from the start going down to the last track. The richness -- vocally and instrumentally will amuse and move your spirit.
Now, let's get started!
Christos Anesti (Christ is Risen) is an engaging song that marks the start of the album. I am telling you this will give you chills! This is short in composition yet one of the most powerful song in the album. It resembles with some of the soundtracks used in Mel Gibson's Passion of the Christ and well blended with Jimmy's phenomenal voice. Atmospheric and capturing!
The Gospel comes after Christos Anesti which starts with drum beats and strums of guitar, this song was first released in his 2006 album Speak and was rewritten for this album. The acoustic guitar compliments Needham's voice very well. The rich tone of his voice puts real feeling into the lyrics.
Then, there's Rock of Ages--one of the best tracks in the album, outstanding! The hand-claps and percussion beats gave the edge. The song intro is clever and don't forget to commend the repetitions of a piano key. The creative instrumental accompaniment made it very memorable.
Following the remarkable song Rock of Ages, Come Thou Fount is the most creative and dynamic. The finger snaps and bass strums at the beginning is very nice, it emphasized Jimmy's appealing voice. While the sax and piano made it very relaxing. The drum beat is great, although I think it was overplayed in some parts. The performance quality is high throughout, both vocally and instrumentally.
Great is Thy Faithfulness follows Come Thou Fount with an awesome rendition, very strong and passionate. Jimmy's vocal tone is soulful, I can feel his heart as he sings. Kevin Jones' voice blends perfectly to Jimmy's which makes it vocally distinctive. The acoustic guitar suits to the mood of the song. There's nothing else to say than awesome!
At this point, we're on the sixth track which is my favorite track in the album, How Great Thou Art. I love how Jimmy and Trip Lee built this certain atmosphere that is special to this song. This hip-hop rendition is instrumentally rich and has a strong engaging rhythm that will carry you along. Trip Lee's voice is warm, and the lyrics he has written for the first and second verse are meaningful and thought-provoking.
Following Jimmy & trip Lee's incredible piece comes Holy, Holy, Holy, featuring Shane & Shane. A very passionate, heart-warming and solemn anthem. Needham's voice stands out very well with consistency. The acoustic guitar is so ethereal, so heavenly which is the perfect expression of the lyrical content. Surely, you'll gonna love Shane & Shane's extraordinary duo, it will carry you to the climax!
Here comes again the bass strums and the upbeat drum hits with Joyful, Joyful. It is full of excitement and appeal. Jimmy's stylish voice and the way he plays with it is fantastic-- so driving. I don't know, but I can feel the Christmas atmosphere in this song. Maybe the lyrical content is one thing, another is the way Jimmy delivers it.
By the time you hear someone saying: "Alright here we go," then that's the start of the the very soulful It is Well, the 9th track. You'll end up with soul stirred. This is perfect for devotionals/ quiet time and for communal singing. The consistency is high, the second voice is to be commended. The flow is in upward slope -- it has an increasing intensity.
It is Finished marks the end of the album. A piano-laced song with a beautiful violin instrumental part which adds a twist to the song. Surely, you'll be amazed by the blending of various voices in the chorus: ''It is done, He's alive...Tetelesti.'' The song ends with a line from the powerful anthem Solid Rock. This is a perfect piece for the Easter that declares the finished work of Christ Jesus -- written by Jimmy Needham and Kevin Jones.
The Hymns Session Vol. 1 is phenomenal, an ultimate resource to the Christian community. You'll surely love the musicality of the entire album. The message is our need of Jesus Christ, our Saviour, we need Him! Now if you can't wait for the release date to come, log on to www.JimmyNeedham.com and pre-order your copy today!
 ABOUT JIMMY NEEDHAM
Jimmy Needham (born August 22, 1985 in Denver, Colorado) is an American contemporary Christian musician signed to Inpop Records. His second Inpop studio album, Not Without Love, was released on August 19, 2008.Earlier in 2008, he was a guest on the Relentless tour with Natalie Grant, and has previously toured with NewSong, Echoing Angels and Nate Sallie in late 2007.
He is a graduate of Texas A&M University, where he studied history and philosophy, and also a graduate of Tomball High School. He is married to his wife Kelly, for whom he has written two songs.
Follow him on social media sites:
Facebook: Jimmy Needham
Twitter: @jimmyneedham
Instagram: jimmyneedham
Comments (0) | Add Comment | Is This Review Helpful? Yes | No |
to add lyrics if not listed.
