Well-weathered hymns rekindled

By D.S. Martin and ChristianWeek | February 15, 2009

Rest

On Glen Soderholm's 2003 CD Rest, he gives us authentic songs of praise that acknowledge the need of rest in our hectic lives--using a gentle folk style dominated by his acoustic guitar.

This album takes a step backwards, but in a way many will appreciate. Soderholm returns us to the roots of his song-writing by interspersing his original songs with hymns from across the centuries; all six come from the current Presbyterian hymnal.

The most familiar of these is "Praise to the Lord the Almighty." This version is updated, not by altering the rhythm as is common in many contemporary praise services, but by reworking the lyrics to eliminate antiquated phrases that may prove inaccessible to a new generation.

Soderholm sings: "Have you not seen how your heart's wishes have been / Granted through God's kind ordaining?" The words flow more smoothly and meaningfully from his tongue. I believe that contemporary worship songs are generally better for celebration, but can be less reverent and reflective.

Glen doesn't sacrifice these qualities in his versions, even though the traditional organ has been replaced by guitar, bass, drums, violin and David White's exquisite mandolin.

Some of Signpost Music's best musicians perform as guests on various tracks: Steve Bell, Jacob Moon and Carolyn Arends (Soderholm returns the favour on her CD). Producer Roy Salmond has again helped to create a smooth soundscape that suits the material.

Soderholm's own compositions work well with the traditional hymns since he often writes from Scripture, as he does in "Think on these Things" from Philippians 4.

Unfortunately, the lyrics of well-known hymns sometimes lose some impact simply because the words have become so familiar to us. In such circumstances, Glen's own honest writing shows its strength:

"That which God has placed within my hands
Has slipped through my fingers like sand.
Did I hold it well?
The whistle wind won't tell."

Although I enjoy this CD, it really is more churchy; because of the large number of hymns we also don't get to experience the songwriter as much. If you don't have any Glen Soderholm in your collection, I think Rest is the better choice, but for those who do, World Without End is a pleasant addition.

Pollyanna's Attic

In the liner notes to Carolyn Arends' newest and ninth album, Pollyanna's Attic, she writes, "Mark Heard's music and legacy inspired much of what is contained herein."

This can be detected in her cover of Heard's song "To See Your Face" as well as in "I've Got a Hope" from Pierce Pettis, a close friend of the late Heard. That inspiration is also evident in the strongest of Carolyn's own compositions.

"Just Pretending," the opening song, for example, delivers a strong acoustic rock groove worthy of the liner tribute: "Sunday the whole congregation / Doesn't seem to need salvation / Everybody's just terrific / All the time."

The chorus continues: "Why do we try so hard? / Life's not some greeting card / ...They're just pretending"

Lyrically, several other songs also grab truth in insightful ways. "More Is Less" shows the irony in so many of our pursuits, and "No Trespassing" takes a shot at how we mind our own business to the detriment of those who need our help.

Some of Arends' subtler lyrics could slide past you unnoticed because their musical arrangements are just too sweet. "Free" seems to celebrate our liberty, but is really about how we misuse our freedom and take it for granted. Her agreeable tone doesn't seem to be pointing out a problem. The form and content need to go together.

A harder edge to the music running through the CD would also help the flow. The catchy rocker "Everybody Wants Everything," where Spencer Capier can finally let loose on guitar, seems to ricochet out of nowhere. It should be the CD's centrepiece instead of being an anomaly.

What would make this good album great is a producer who makes the tough calls and draws from Arends the delivery her good writing deserves.