Search - Fiddlesticks :: Return to Nauvoo-Traditional & Old Time Hymns

Beautiful and inspiring

F. Desse | UK | 07/21/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This work is very specific as it is folk music revisiting old Mormon hyms. Not everybody's cup of tea, I suppose, but this work deserves to be heard by many. These old tunes have all been reworked, and while they remain faithful, they don't feel the need to stick to the historical melodies. The band add some rythns and melodies, making this CD their own creation.



Listening to this CD will make you feel like you are in the midst of the Saints in Nauvoo and at the same time feel like a brand new band original songs.



Some tracks are just so edifying and uplifting: I am thinking of the excellent rendition of "Nearer to Thee my God" (as an mp3 extra track), which is so originally performed that you think it's a new creation altogether. I love the joyous "Thou Font of Every Blessing", which is not typically Mormon, but also Christian.



LDS Mormons, FLDS Mormons, and Reform Mormons like myself, will feel a special connection with "Come Come You Saints/All Is Well". This hymn illustrates the strengtht of Mormon pioneers making their way towards the rocky mountains. Leaving persecutions behind and the USA, they lived a modern Exodus and Mormons of all denominations today know that motto "All is well", signifying that no matter the trials we go through in life, God is there for us and all works for our own eternal progression.



"Praise to the Man" is about the martyrdom of the Prophet Joseph Smith and is done in a slow reverent manner, the "Nauvoo verison", different from its modern tune of "Scotland the Brave", which is beautifully rendered as an independent track, with no lyrics.



The only negative point I will make is that the band have changed a well-loved all-Mormon hymn: "If You Could Hie to Kolob". This one is about deep doctrine and explores the plurality of Gods, as taught as doctrine by the Prophet Joseph Smith. A line goes: "When gods began to be" and the singer changed it to: "When God began to be", in order to appear more Christian. Other important lines have also been omitted, probably in order not to offend Christians. I just think that if Christians are open minded enough to buy this CD, they won't mind Mormon themes.



Overall, an highly recommended CD that I love listening..."

Love this album!

Me, myself and I | Ames, Iowa | 02/20/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is a great album. I especially love the alternate versions of "Come, Come Ye Saints" and "Praise to the Man."



"Be Thou My Vision," "Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing," and "How Can I Keep from Singing" were also lovely."



One of the vocalists has a somewhat breathy voice -- which I'm not fond of -- but the other vocalist has a rich voice, and she also enunciates very well, which -- as a singer myself-- I appreciate.



The arrangements are interesting, and the instrumental selections are lively. I don't think you will be disappointed."