In the 00s, there was a string of fine albums by some of the biggest Christian music stars, covering classic hymns. Many interpreted these songs by bringing them forward with modern arrangements, nodding to the hip-hop beats and synthesized arrangements that then dominated contemporary Gospel.
So it was all the more surprising in 2005 to hear Neville Peter’s Simply Hymn, Volume One, a disc of well known hymns that consisted of only a piano and a voice. And what a voice. Peter, who sounded a bit like BeBe Winans on lower notes but was a ringer for Carl Anderson in the upper ranges, was best known as a songwriter, but with Simply Hymn, he showed himself to be a vocalist with a clear, beautiful tone and crisp phrasing. The album didn’t make major waves, but it sure won us over.
As we enter the holiest of weekends for Christians around the world, we feature the album’s opening number, “Great Is Thy Faithfulness,” a chillingly sparse take on the Thomas O. Chisholm/William Runyan classic. Peter gives the song perhaps its most intimate version, beautifully emphasizing lyrics of surrender and praise on top of his acoustic piano performance. It is the first of many great moments on a disc that has no weak spots. It is also our latest SoulTracks Lost Gem. Check it out.
By Chris Rizik
