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Producer: Roy Webb/Gordon Mote
Label: Independent Release
Website: http://www.erniesigsound.com

This review was rather frustrating for me, but not in the way one might think. Just when I get to the point of really getting into the musical artistry of Roy Webb, he leaves the group that he was, at the very least, partially responsible for their immense success and popularity. His presence in the group will be sorely missed, if by no one else, I will miss his presence. Not knowing in what capacity Roy will come back to this industry (if that is even an option down the road), he left the industry with quite a work of art with this recording. This is truly an artist's masterpiece. With it's stunning and non-traditional arrangements, I can see this being the recording whereby all other instrumental recordings are measured by in the future, as this is definitely WAY above par for instrumental recordings within the SG genre.

You've probably never heard "WHAT A FRIEND WE HAVE IN JESUS" quite like this, but it works, and this jazz rendition of a timeless hymn is definitely one of the highlights of the recording, as is Roy's dramatic arrangement of "WAYFARING STRANGER" which has a distinct R&B flavor and is probably my favorite cut on the entire recording.

I love the unique arrangements for "TELL ME THE STORY OF JESUS", "YOU RAISE ME UP", "JUST A LITTLE TALK WITH JESUS" as well as "SWING LOW MEDLEY", which starts out pretty simple, but moves through Big Band and Black Gospel stylings before it's all said and done. These unique arrangements don't sound forced at all, but rather sound quite fluid to me.

If your taste is more along simpler lines, you'll really enjoy Roy's warm renditions of "SOFTLY & TENDERLY", "PEOPLE NEED THE LORD" (which is absolutely mesmerizing) and the concluding prayer in song, "I SURRENDER ALL."

One thing that impressed me were the liner notes; Roy took us from song to song and explained why the song was recorded and what each song meant to him. It really helps you see this recording in the intended light. Only on very rare occasions do artists get to make recordings that come across as very musical satisfying to self, as well as edifying to Christ. And by the same token, not only will this recording satisfy ones musical palate; it also will satisfy the innate instinct to worship Christ. If you only buy one instrumental recording in your entire life, be sure it's this one.

Song titles:
1 - What a Friend We Have in Jesus
2 - Wayfaring Stranger
3 - Above All
4 - Tell me the Story of Jesus
5 - You Raise me Up
6 - Swing Low Medley
7 - Softly & Tenderly
8 - Just a Little Talk with Jesus
9 - People Need the Lord
10-I Surrender AlProducer: Roy Webb/Gordon Mote
Label: Independent Release
Website: http://www.erniesigsound.com
Rating: 5 stars

This review was rather frustrating for me, but not in the way one might think. Just when I get to the point of really getting into the musical artistry of Roy Webb, he leaves the group that he was, at the very least, partially responsible for their immense success and popularity. His presence in the group will be sorely missed, if by no one else, I will miss his presence. Not knowing in what capacity Roy will come back to this industry (if that is even an option down the road), he left the industry with quite a work of art with this recording. This is truly an artist's masterpiece. With it's stunning and non-traditional arrangements, I can see this being the recording whereby all other instrumental recordings are measured by in the future, as this is definitely WAY above par for instrumental recordings within the SG genre.
You've probably never heard "WHAT A FRIEND WE HAVE IN JESUS" quite like this, but it works, and this jazz rendition of a timeless hymn is definitely one of the highlights of the recording, as is Roy's dramatic arrangement of "WAYFARING STRANGER" which has a distinct R&B flavor and is probably my favorite cut on the entire recording.
I love the unique arrangements for "TELL ME THE STORY OF JESUS", "YOU RAISE ME UP", "JUST A LITTLE TALK WITH JESUS" as well as "SWING LOW MEDLEY", which starts out pretty simple, but moves through Big Band and Black Gospel stylings before it's all said and done. These unique arrangements don't sound forced at all, but rather sound quite fluid to me.
If your taste is more along simpler lines, you'll really enjoy Roy's warm renditions of "SOFTLY & TENDERLY", "PEOPLE NEED THE LORD" (which is absolutely mesmerizing) and the concluding prayer in song, "I SURRENDER ALL."
One thing that impressed me were the liner notes; Roy took us from song to song and explained why the song was recorded and what each song meant to him. It really helps you see this recording in the intended light. Only on very rare occasions do artists get to make recordings that come across as very musical satisfying to self, as well as edifying to Christ. And by the same token, not only will this recording satisfy ones musical palate; it also will satisfy the innate instinct to worship Christ. If you only buy one instrumental recording in your entire life, be sure it's this one.

Song titles:
1 - What a Friend We Have in Jesus
2 - Wayfaring Stranger
3 - Above All
4 - Tell me the Story of Jesus
5 - You Raise me Up
6 - Swing Low Medley
7 - Softly & Tenderly
8 - Just a Little Talk with Jesus
9 - People Need the Lord
10-I Surrender Al

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