Prime Cuts: Do Not Pass Me By, Say Amen, Be Still My Soul
Despite being blind since she was a child, Owens could see the truth of God with greater perspicuity than most Christians. Over the last 9 CDs, she has had been inundated with such a passion to communicate these truths through music. However, lately Owens has been ennuied by the current slant of contemporary Christian music towards secular love songs. So, for this her 10th recording, she has decided to return back to the older hymns of the church to help her express the deep truths of God in a fresh way. Nevertheless, don't expect this outing to be your tried and true old fashioned grandma's hymnbook. Rather, Owens has joined forces with co-producer Kerry Kernan to re-conceptualize these treasured gems often with newly written melodies and innovative arrangements. Aficionados of Owens' own scribal pen can be at rest as there are 2 newly composed tracks (the title cut "Say Amen" and "Home to Me") Owens has written for this project.
As far as the two newly composed Owens' original are concerned, the lodestar is the title cut "Say Amen." Opening with just a piano, Owens on "Say Amen" gives thanks for the trials and sufferings in life. This because the end of our strength is the beginning of God's grace; this truth dressed in such a gorgeous melody is easily the best song Owens has had ever written in the last 10 years. "Home to Me," again co-written by Owens, has a more r & b feel to this ballad as Owens reveals that Jesus is what gives her the power to face the fears of life. Though not written by Owens, "Do Not Pass Me By" is a first person narrative of the Biblical story of blind Bartimaeus waiting on the roadside for Jesus to heal him. The desperate pleas met with Jesus' tender compassionate touch are so effectively conveyed by Owens that this truly is hear affecting masterpiece. Starting off acapella, "If I Can Help Somebody" calls to mind one of those old spirituals, sung with so much understated passion accentuated by some haunting organ touches.
When it comes to the more familiar territory, creativity is the patent here. The album opens with a Celtic-styled reading of "How Can I Keep from Singing" calling to mind Sheila Walsh at her best. Finger snaps, stomps and claps are the only accompaniments on "Don't Ya Let Nobody Turn You Round" bringing out Owens' Gospel edge. The ancient hymn "Be Still My Soul" gets a complete makeover as Owens serves this mediative devotion on a newly composed tune. Likewise "O Sacred Head Now Wounded" gets sung to an "American Tune" giving it a new face lift. Her multi-vocal layered reading of "Beautiful Savior" without any instruments feels like she was singing in a cathedral.
Lest one thinks Owens has little respect for tradition. She does deliver a reverent rendition of "Be Thou My Vision" and she strikes the right balance between the traditional and contemporary sounds on "Just as I Am." Indeed Owens is right: these ancient paeans mine so much theology often missing in contemporary songs. And Owens is to be congratulated for introducing many younger fans to such rich treasures of the faith. But most importantly, she does not just sing them; she re-reads them, re-applies them, and re-defines them in ways that still speak to today's culture and time--to such lofty aims, we can say amen.
For Ginny Owens official website and to buy your own copy, go to http://ginnyowens.com
