Renowned for their signature arrangements of hymns and inspirational classics, multi Dove Award-winning Curb recording artist Selah returns to their roots with Greatest Hymns, Vol. 2. The long-awaited follow-up to one of the group's biggest releases to date, 2005's Greatest Hymns, bows Friday.
Highlighted by brand new recordings of fan favorites "Holy, Holy, Holy," "Wayfaring Stranger," "Wonderful, Merciful Savior" and "Amazing Grace," the 18-track Greatest Hymns, Vol. 2 also includes a special radio version of "O The Blood" (produced by Ed Cash), from the trio's acclaimed 2014 release, You Amaze Us.
Together for the first time, the project features an additional 13 hymns from Selah's storied discography. Selections including "Just As I Am"; "How Deep The Father's Love For Us"; "'Tis So Sweet To Trust in Jesus"; and "In The Garden," are among the group's most popular hymn arrangements of the past decade.
"Over the years, many people have shared how the hymns we've recorded bring them back to their childhood," says Selah's Todd Smith. "Usually it's a song that a parent or grandparent sang to them. As a kid, I loved singing 'In the Garden' with my family. I hope our version of this song, which we recorded on our most recent album, You Amaze Us, will remind listeners of beautiful memories of their loved ones."
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Old Hymns, New Renditions| Posted September 19, 2016
Once again, Selah brings their own touches to 18 popular church hymns. As it goes in most churches on Sunday mornings, they didn't sing every verse to every song, but they did the selected verses amazingly well. They also changed up a few hymns to make them flow better, without changing them so much that people who know them can't sing along with them.
Most of the hymns I was able to find in at least one of my hymnals. The only ones I couldn't find were "God Be With You," "Wayfaring Stranger" and "O The Blood," but they're easy enough to look up online if you want to sing along and don't know the words.
Going back to the missionary kid roots of member Todd Smith, Selah sings part of "'Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus" in Kituba, one of the languages of Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of Congo). It's always fun when they bring a new dimension to a song, and it shows that hymns can even cross language barriers. Another great rendition is "Revive Us Again," with the jazzed up organ playing and the verse combinations before going to the chorus. It starts out with some tame piano and then breaks into a jazzy Southern Gospel sing.
Greatest Hymns, Vol. 2 is a great collection of amazing hymns that stand the test of time. It's a volume that young and old alike can appreciate and sing along with.
The Bottom Line: Selah brings to life some of the most beloved hymns in church history with their signature flair, Kituba and seamless vocals.
Song to Download Now:
"Holy, Holy, Holy" (Get it on iTunes here.)
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