Amy Grant - Rock of Ages...Hymns & Faith

Rock of Ages...Hymns & Faith is the rare sequel that rivals the original. 2002's Legacy, Amy Grant's first collection of old-time hymns and religious material, both familiar and obscure, was a full-fledged return to inspirational material after many years of secular material, and it was an understated delight, thanks to the smart song selection and classy, subtly shaded production from her husband Vince Gill and Brown Bannister. Rock of Ages doesn't change their approach at all, primarily because if it worked so well the first time, why change? Some of the songs here aren't as well-known as the tunes on the first record, but when Grant sings a song that is universally known, such as the title track or "Jesus Loves Me," it becomes easier to appreciate what she, Gill, and Bannister have achieved here. They have updated these old hymns -- most are from the 1800s, some date to the 1600s and 1700s -- so thoroughly that when they slip in a couple of new songs in among them, the fit is comfortable, not awkward. It works because the music is never flashy; it is relaxed and assured, giving Grant plenty of breathing room and giving Gill plenty of place to play some wonderful guitar. It's the rare contemporary christian album that functions as terrific religious material and transcends its genre based on the richness of its music. It's truly a quiet, modest little gem. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide

Name Credits Andrea Zonn Vocals, Violin, Viola Andrew Southam Photography Bekka Bramlett Vocals Billy Thomas Vocals Brown Bannister Producer, Arranger Burton Brooks A&R Burton Grant Vocals, Recitation Chad Cromwell Drums Charles Rose Horn David Kaufman Wardrobe Dean Parks Guitar (Electric), Slide Guitar Eric Darken Tambourine, Percussion, Conga Harvey Thompson Horn Isaac Freeman Vocals Jamie C. Taylor Make-Up Jenny Gill Vocals Jim Horn Sax (Tenor), Horn Arrangements, Horn John Catchings Cello John Hobbs Synthesizer, Piano, Piano (Electric), Fender Rhodes, Organ (Hammond), Arranger, Keyboards John Jarvis Piano, Keyboards, Wurlitzer Katherine Petillo Art Direction Kim Keyes Vocals Mark Prentice Director Michael McDonald Vocals Quintin Ware Horn Rob Talty Hair Stylist Robert Hamlett Vocals Sally Carns Gulde Design Sam Levine Penny Whistle Steve Bishir Mixing, Engineer Steve Hall Mastering Stuart Duncan Banjo, Fiddle The Fairfield Four Vocals Traci Sterling Bishir Production Coordination Vince Gill Vocals, Mandolin, Producer, Guitar (Acoustic), Arranger, Archguitar, Guitar (Electric) William Owsley III Guitar (Electric) Willie Weeks Bass, Bass (Upright) Wilson Waters Vocals