“A Musical Companion,” “True to the Faith,” “Let Us Go Forth” and “Called to Serve Him” are suitable for Sunday listening and sure to inspire missionary zeal.
By Laurie Williams Sowby
Most LDS missionaries face restrictions on the kind of music they can listen to. The Tabernacle Choir albums are generally acceptable, but here are somerecordings which may pass the muster with mission presidents looking to encourage, build faith, and motivate their missionaries. All are available from LDS book/music outlets or may be ordered from individual web sites.
Let Us Go Forth
“Let Us Go Forth,” the newest, from Sounds of Zion, features some less-familiar and original songs along with familiar favorites such as “The Spirit of God,” “Praise to the Man,” “I’ll Go Where You Want Me to Go,” and “Called to Serve” on its 14 tracks.
But even the old ones receive new treatments with Greg Hansen’s deft arrangements and orchestrations, while able vocalists — both men and women — bring out the best of the new songs. Dave Tinney’s voice is perfect for the haunting rendition of “A Poor Wayfaring Man,” and Tammy Simister Robinson’s is equal to the task on “When Spirit Speaks to Spirit.”
Barry Hansen wrote and also performs the title song. Other nice cuts are “And We Go,” “May I Serve Thee,” “Our Mothers Knew It” and “Here am I, Send Me.” All contribute to the spirit of missionary work. The CD is available at $15.98 and may be previewed and ordered through soundsofzion.com.
Called to Serve Him
Covenant Communications, Inc. has drawn on its stable of recording artists for “Called to Serve Him,” an inspirational instrumental album ($15.95 on CD, $9.95 on cassette).
Naturally, it includes “I’ll Go Where You Want me to Go,” “Called to Serve” and “We’ll Bring the World His Truth.” They’re combined in a medley with David Glen Hatch at the piano; he also performs five other favorites, including a convincing arrangement of “I Believe in Christ” and “How Great Thou Art,” embellished with arpeggios and chime-like chords.
Pianist Marshall McDonald is featured in a lush and ethereal orchestration of “If You Could Hie to Kolob” and a tender “Come, Follow Me.” Contrasting with those orchestral arrangements are the relative simplicity of Mark Geslison and Jeff Groberg’s folk-style renditions of “I Need Thee Every Hour,” “Beautiful Savior” and “O My Father.” In a similar simpler vein is the Lightwood Duo’s clarinet-guitar arrangement of “Abide With Me” and “The Lord is My Light.”
The 16 tracks on “Called to Serve Him” offer an array of sound suited to Sabbath listening and sure to inspire any missionary.
Marvin Goldstein
From Marvin Goldstein comes “A Musical Companion,” featuring the pianist in 20 hymns that are, for the most part, exuberant expressions of missionary zeal.
A convert from Judaism, Goldstein himself surveyed around 200 missionaries in the Florida Tallahassee Mission where he lives, seeking a list of hymns most meaningful and motivational to them.
This instrumental album has 20 hymns, beginning with “High on the Mountain Top” and ending with “Ye Elders of Israel,” their familiar melodies reinterpreted with different chords, new rhythms and fresh ideas. From the bouncy “Called to Serve” to the lush, lyrical setting of “I Know that My Redeemer Lives” and quieter pieces such as “Our Savior’s Love” and “Abide With Me,” listeners seeking uplift will find it in “A Musical Companion” ($15.98 on CD, $9.98 on cassette).
True to the Faith
“True to the Faith” is Sounds of Zion’s earlier contribution to missionary spirit with a generous 16 selections, book-ended by Marvin Goldstein’s piano renditions of the title cut. Greg Hansen’s professional arrangements add variety and a touch of class.
Notable are “His Hands,” with Barry Hansen on vocal against a cello accompaniment; young Aaron Karr’s innocent voice on “Jesus was No Ordinary Man;” and Cody Hale’s lead vocal on the powerful “I Never Stand Alone,” performed with full choir and orchestra.
Other inspirational tracks include “He is Real,” “Never a Better Hero,” “Reach Out with Love,” “To Be Like Him,” “I Will Go and Do,” “Face to Face” and “How Do You Move a Mountain?”
“True to the Faith” retails at $15.98 on CD and $9.98 on cassette.
