Sunday, September 4, 2011

Cindy Morgan CD Review: "Some Glad Morning"

This has been re-released, exclusively at Target stores, with new material. Check out the music section at Target. 

Cindy Morgan continues to get better and better with time and each new set of songs she releases. She has always been known for thoughtful, well-crafted lyrics, her gift of songwriting, and for an emotional vulnerability in her voice that connects listeners to her songs.

Always creative and innovative, it is timely that she has chosen for her latest project, "Some Glad Morning," to sing a gathering of old church hymns that were mostly written by other people. Songs that have been around for many years.
With "Some Glad Morning," she has, once again, crafted a unique collection of songs, all pointing to the hopefulness and rest that comes from the Lord. She sings as a believable believer, faithful in what is to come, and blessed to praise Him in the meantime, whatever does come.

The track listing does indeed read like an old church hymnal:
I'll Fly Away, Just As I Am, I Come, My Ransom, The Lord's Prayer, Sweet Hour of Prayer, It Is Well, Working On a Building, and Well Done. There is also a remake of "Praise the King" from Cindy's own, "The Loving Kind" album, which has an instrumental verse of "Amazing Grace" attached to it, that gracefully ends the CD, and a new song, "Worry" that Cindy co-wrote.

As a listener, I am coming from the perspective of unfamiliarity with many of these hymns. But in listening, it feels like a return to your home church, or a visit with an old friend, cherished and intimate, and the songs offer a soothing familiarity, whether you know them by heart or not. These are timeless, yet oftentimes modern, interpretations of the old canticles.

"Some Glad Morning" is aptly titled. It is a hopeful, encouraging set of songs that will lift and inspire, as hymns are meant to. A beautiful mixture of old and new, well suited for singing along to, as Cindy mainly uses her lower voice range.
"Some Glad Morning" is a hearty offering to a world that needs to be spiritually fed, and the world should be lined up, one soul at a time, for this wonderful feast that will provide you spiritual fuel for your journey.

Here are the ten songs on "Some Glad Morning,", which releases March 9th. For more information or to purchase, go to Cindy's official site.

1) I'll Fly Away (written by Albert E. Brumley in 1929)
Some Glad morning when this life is o'er
I'll fly away
To a home on God's celestial shore
I'll fly away

When the shadows of this life have gone
I'll fly away
Like a bird from prison bars have flown
I'll fly away

I'll fly away, Oh Glory
I'll fly away in the morning
When I die hallelujah
by and by
I'll Fly away

Just a few more weary days and then
I'll fly away
To a land where joy shall never end
I'll fly away

I'll fly away, Oh Glory
I'll fly away in the morning
When I die hallelujah
by and by
I'll Fly away

Oh how glad and happy when we meet
I'll fly away
No more cold and shackles on my feet
I'll fly away...

A very organic presentation of this hymn. I picture a band of pickers and players strumming along as Cindy sings.

2) Worry (written by Cindy Morgan and J Bose)
Here I go on down the road of twists and turns and bends
You'd of thought I'd learned by now but here I go again
You won't add a day to your life
It don't help you sleep at night
Lord, I sure am tired of this fight

Worry, why do I worry?
What do I do it for?
I'm gonna trust you and this time mean it
I'm gonna leave it at your door

All this fear it binds me up and ties me to the floor
I wish I wouldn't answer when it's knocking on the door
There's not a sparrow falls to the ground
You don't turn your head to the sound
Pick it up so sweetly in your hand

Worry, why do I worry?
What do I do it for?
I'm gonna trust you and this time mean it
I'm gonna leave it at your door

These words best be sinking in more than just a phrase
Matthew wrote what Jesus spoke and thats a worn out page

Worry, why do I worry?
What do I do it for?
I'm gonna trust you and this time mean it
I'm gonna leave it at your door

Has an old church feel. I especially love the lyrics to this song, they remind me of Cindy's book, "Barefoot On Barbed Wire," that tells about her struggles with fear. I like what Cindy has done with the song, a standout for me.

3) Just As I Am, I Come (written by Charlotte Elliott in 1835)
Just as I am, without one plea
But that His blood was shed for me
And that Thou bidst me come to Thee
O Lamb of God, I come, I come

Sweet and low and softly calling
Is He nearer than you know
Something feels like new snow falling
Like the sound of angels singing low

He will whisper in the stillness
In the storm He shouts your name
Come to Me with all your burdens
Come to Me with everything, come

So sweet to trust, to trust in Jesus
So sweet, so sweet to trust

So walk across the barren desert
And meet Him at the water's edge
Hidden by the Rock of Ages
No more fear and no more tears to cry

Beautiful and soothing harmonies/vocals, and Cindy sings some parts in her beautiful falsetto. A simple guitar accompaniment, and echoing background music. The lyrics I found online were different, apart from the first verse, to what is here. I am wondering if Cindy wrote the rest of the song or maybe there is another version. Either way - beautiful lyrics.

4) My Ransom (author is unknown to me)
What fear can overtake my vision
What doubt can overcome my faith
What strife can silence all my singing
Lord, your wounds have paid my ransom

What thief can steal my hearts possession
What power can overwhelm my soul
What shame can silence my confession
Lord, Your wounds have paid my ransom

And what unspeakable mercy
Has emptied heaven's reserve
And what Redeemer so worthy
Has covered sin with such love
And what unsearchable riches
Far beyond You, my words
Lord, Your wounds

What lie can sever what is certain
What storm can wash away my hope
What threat of death can take my freedom
Lord, Your wounds have paid my ransom

And what unspeakable mercy
Has emptied heaven's reserve
And what Redeemer so worthy
Has covered sin with such love
And what unsearchable riches
Far beyond You, my words
Lord, Your wounds

A soft arrangement with a choir singing in background, very prayer-like. It's like listening to the choir on Sunday, in an old church.
5) Our Father (The Lord's Prayer, Matthew 6)
Our Father which art in heaven
Hallowed be Thy name
Thy kingdom come
Thy will be done
On earth as it is in heaven

Hallelujah...
Let Your kingdom come
Let Your will be done

Give us this day
Our daily bread
And forgive us our debts
As we forgive our debtors

Hallelujah...
Let Your kingdom come
Let Your will be done

Lead us not into temptation
But deliver us from evil
Deliver us from evil
Deliver us from evil
Amen

For Thine is the kingdom
And Thine is the power
Forever and ever, amen

The traditional words of "The Lord's Prayer" presented in a gentle manner. I almost didn't recognize it as "The Lord's Prayer" because the cadence of the song flows a little different than the traditional way of saying it, which makes for a nice effect.

6) Jesus Joy/Sweet Hour of Prayer (written by William Walford in 1845)
Sweet hour of prayer
Sweet hour of prayer
That calls me from a world of care
And bids me at my Father’s throne
Make all my wants and wishes known

This robe of flesh I’ll drop, and rise
To seize the everlasting prize
And shout, while passing through the air
Farewell, farewell, sweet hour of prayer

One hymn I am quite familiar with - gentle, lilting piano melodies, supported by soft, breathy vocals. A really nice version of the song.

7) It Is well (written by Horatio Spafford in 1873)
When peace, like a river, attendeth my way
When sorrows like sea billows roll
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say
It is well, it is well, with my soul

It is well, with my soul
It is well, with my soul

Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate
And hath shed His own blood for my soul

It is well, with my soul
It is well, with my soul

And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll
The trumpet shall sound, and the Lord shall descend
Even so, it is well with my soul

It is well, with my soul
It is well, with my soul

Another hymn I am familiar with, but the arrangement makes it seem like a completely different song - in a good way. Timeless words uniquely offered up in modern sounds.

8) Working on a Building (Author unknown)
I'm working on a building
I'm working on a building
A Holy Ghost building
For my Lord, for my Lord

I'm working on a building
I'm working on a building
A Holy Ghost building
For my Lord, for my Lord

If I were a liar, I'll tell ya what I would do
I'd stop all of my lying
And start working on a building with You

I'm working on a building
I'm working on a building
A Holy Ghost building
For my Lord, for my Lord

If I were a drunkard, I'll tell ya what I would do
I'd stop all of my drinking
And start working on a building with You

I'm working on a building
I'm working on a building
A Holy Ghost building
For my Lord, for my Lord

If I were a lover, I'll tell ya what I would do
I'd keep right on loving
And start working on a building with You

If I were singer, I'll tell ya what I would do
I'd keep right on singing
And start working on a building with You

I'm working on a building
I'm working on a building
A Holy Ghost building
For my Lord, for my Lord

I'm working on a building
I'm working on a building
A Holy Ghost building
For my Lord, for my Lord

Very rhythmic beat, like a carpenter hammering away at a house, and you can almost see the frame going up as each verse plays out. Love this song!


9) Well Done (author is unknown to me)
One step then two, then a million more
Sunday morning you walked the old wood floor
To lift a song to heaven
And let the praises ring
Let him use your life, so the choir sang

Well done, well done
Dear faithful one
Though the mountains were steep
Oh, the race is run
See the Father smile
The Father and the son
Well done, well done
Dear faithful one

When pain is deep and grief is great
And its hard to make it through the day
Walk onward, soldier
To the gospel truth
For the crown & glory is waiting there for you

Well done, well done
Dear faithful one
Though the mountains were steep
Oh the race is run
See the Father smile
The Father and the son
Well done, well done
Dear faithful one

And one fine day when your time is through
And you journey on to a land brand new
And shout hallelujah
When you step through the gates
You'll feel the Savior's arms, the angel choir sings

Well done, well done
Dear faithful one
Though the mountains were steep
Oh the race is run
See the Father smile
The Father and the son
Well done, well done
Dear faithful one

A haunting, piano driven song about being welcomed back to heaven after a life of faith. The simple piano accompaniment compliments the contemplative lyric.
10) Praise the King/Amazing Grace (written by Cindy Morgan/written by John Newton in 1779)
Praise Him in the morning
For tall and lofty trees
And praise Him in the evening
For children on their knees
Oh and praise Him in the noon day
For gentle birds that sing
Oh praise Him all ye people
Praise the King

And praise Him for a peaceful porch
And rocking chairs that sway
Praise Him for the rolling hills
Where children laugh and play
Oh and praise Him for the wandering soul
That never lost their way
Oh praise Him all ye people
Praise the King

Praise the King
Let it ring

And praise Him for the blood that fell
And bloomed a rose that day
And praise Him that He suffered through
The guilt, the grief, the shame
Oh and praise Him that His tender
Love will still forgive today
Oh praise Him all ye people
Praise the King

A remake of Cindy's "Praise the King" from "The Loving Kind." Very soft, prayerful version, with a choir singing the chorus. The ending flows into a beautiful, hopeful rendition of an instrumental "Amazing Grace" to end the CD.

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