Wow! I haven't heard anything quite like this!
Gospel Jazz Fan | Dallas, TX USA | 05/27/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I consider myself to be quite the gospel jazz lover, however, I must admit that I have not heard anything quite like this before. This project is genuinely "jazz" in every sense of the word, but then, too, truly "inspired." That is, in my humble opinion, Kevin Turner has found a way to take some of the most popular hymns of the church and breathe new life into them.
Now, I have some really great albums in my gospel jazz collection, and while I don't know much about this artist, from listening to this project, Kevin's arrangements and guitar playing move me in a way that few other projects do. It is something about the soothing sounds of his guitar voice performing my favorite hymns that helps me start my mornings daily in a blessed way. My favorites? That's difficult to say. So many of them I like for different reasons-- "Great Is Thy Faithfulness," & "I Surrender All"- awesome for meditation; "His Eye Is On The Sparrow," "How Great Thou Art," & "Amazing Grace"- great for bible study; "Blessed Assurance," "At The Cross," "O, How I Love Jesus," "No, Not One", & "Bass Praise"-- just wonderful in-your-house, in-your-car-listening; and "O, Come Little Children" (which I believe includes his young sons singing and playing the violin) is simply a gem. I must admit, though, that I am hooked on his duets with another jazz artist favorite of mine, saxophonist Kirk Whalum, on "I Surrender All" and "His Eye is On The Sparrow."
So, as you can see, I believe that all who loves gospel and/or jazz ought to check this project out. From the amazing arrangements and tasteful melodic interpretations to the touching liner notes, it becomes clear that this project reflects the heart of a jazz artist who loves Jesus."
Track Listings (11) - Disc #1