I was not familiar with Jeff's music, and was introduced to it on Mike's Funnies. I love the new praise music, but really love the old hymns. His way of playing them, brought back so many memories connected with so many of them, and they seemed to come to life. One in particular was very special. Last December we lost my mother in law in her battle with Alzheimer's. One of the songs I always associated with her and remember her singing was Day by Day. When I heard Jeff play it, it brought tears to my eyes as I thought of mom and how that was her favorite Swedish hymn, (my in-laws are all Swedish) and the example she was of God's love. Thank you Jeff for your music, for sharing your gift and for bringing back some special memories of a woman who loved her God, and knew who she was. May God Bless your gift as you share with others. I know it is a CD that will be played often. Thank you. JEK

I found out about this CD in one of the recording forums on the web. I'd never heard of Jeff but feel fortunate to have happened upon his music. After listening to several soundbytes of this disc that were posted on the gearslutz forum, I knew immediately it was something I wanted to add to my collection. The songs on the disc are billed as a collection of hymns, though many won't be recognized as such due to Jeff's creative interpretations. The production, engineering and recording of this CD will blow you away...it's as if you're sitting in the room with Jeff as he plays. The only thing that overshadows what producer Bill Pearson did in the studio with the knobs is what Jeff Bjorck did in the studio on the piano. This is just a great collection of soothing solo piano music played by a very talented musician and captured by a top notch producer. And it keeps my blood pressure down while sitting in traffic in Atlanta! Truly the best $15 bucks I've spent in awhile.

I've listened to Jeff Bjorck's latest instrumental piano album, "This I Know: Ancient Hymns of Faith," several times over the last month or so. While this veteran artist's lovely renditions of classics such as "Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing" and "When I Survey the Wondrous Cross" haven't yet failed to set a mellow, meditative mood, this collection of 15 tracks (nearly 75 minutes total) somehow turned even more poignant and alive during a recent Sunday afternoon car trip through central Connecticut. Passing through the snow-covered New England landscape as the sun shined upon huddled neighborhoods, gray smoke exiting chimneys and tall church steeples casting long shadows across bare trees, Bjorck's music was akin to a time machine. I found the emotion of his playing (and even more crucially, the very rustic, timeless quality of his tone and composition) filled my mind with images of the countless people who've worshiped to these hymns over the centuries. Passing by Thomaston I wondered what it might have sounded like inside the town's Covenant Church during its first Sunday service in 1890 as the founding congregants heard the opening strains of "Softly and Tenderly Jesus Is Calling"---then only a decade old. Bjorck's melodies come about as close as you can to answering such questions. Given this album's considerable evocative qualities, the highlights are unsurprisingly numerous: There's the incredibly gentle interpretation of "Fairest Lord Jesus" in which Bjorck easily drifts in and out of the familiar melody, offering pleasant flourishes and a beautiful high-to-low cascading coda; Bjorck deftly captures the hard emotions of "It Is Well with My Soul" (the lyrics of which were penned by Horatio Spafford in 1873 after he lost his four daughters in a shipwreck), beginning the tune quietly with single, reverberating notes before the melody builds and Bjorck plays the Yamaha C7 grand with greater and greater strength, and then returning to a thoughtful, meditative place as it closes---a well-done musical reflection of the wavelike feelings that so often follow tragedy; perhaps my favorite track is "'Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus," as Bjorck finds a wonderful dissonant note in his introductory phrasing that immediately invites me into the sweetness of the hymn; the fitting end to "This I Know" is a lullaby-like, upper-note version of "Jesus Loves Me"---and while not an ancient hymn, it smartly sums up the music and deep theology of the hymns Bjorck interprets here (and don't forget its memorable lyric takes its place in the title of this album). Other pluses that must be mentioned include the artwork---especially the graphics on the disc itself (created originally by Bjorck's late father) and the very apropos stained-glass window depiction on the cover---and the detailed liner notes that not only introduce listeners to the history of these hymns, but also help us get to know the composer and his faith that gave wings to this project in the first place. "This I Know: Ancient Hymns of Faith" is indeed timeless---but don't let that fact dissuade you from immediately letting it enrich your present reality.

“This I Know: Ageless Hymns of Faith” is the fourth in Jeff Bjorck’s “Pure Piano” solo piano series. The first three albums begin and end with favorite hymns, and this one does, too, but on this one, all fifteen tracks are Bjorck’s arrangements of hymns that have been and are important in his life. A clinical psychologist, researcher, and professor at Fuller Seminary’s Graduate School of Psychology (Pasadena, CA), in addition to being a composer/arranger/pianist and avid humanitarian and hang-glider, Dr. Bjorck brings a wealth of experience and emotional depth to these timeless classics, making them his own and presenting them as deeply personal expressions of his faith. The excellent liner notes put into words what each of these hymns means to Bjorck and why he chose them for this collection, giving insight into the origins of the music and revealing much about Bjorck himself. The fifteen hymns include the six from Bjorck’s previous releases, three that were recorded between 1995 and 2005, and six new recordings that were done in 2007. There are a lot of collections of favorite hymns out there, but very few reach this level of personal expression, artistry, and passion. It is very obvious that Bjorck has lived with this music for most of his life and that his interpretations of the songs come from his soul as well as his heart. All of the selections on “This I Know” are an inspiration, but I’ll mention a few of my favorites. “’Tis So Sweet To Trust in Jesus” is a beautiful arrangement that clearly expresses the peace of “letting go” and trusting completely. The simple melody is accompanied by a flowing left hand that is occasionally punctuated by deep bass notes. “Fairest Lord Jesus” was one of the first hymns Bjorck learned as a young child, and his arrangement reflects a childlike innocence and unwavering faith. “Holy, Holy, Holy” was the hymn Bjorck and his wife chose for their wedding processional - obviously a very important song for them. This arrangement has a quiet peacefulness that is intended to be meditative and calming. “Jerusalem” appeared on Bjorck’s first album, and was a favorite of mine then. I had the privilege and pleasure of proofreading Bjorck’s sheet music of this piece recently, and just love this arrangement. “O, The Deep, Deep Love of Jesus” is my favorite track. The haunting melody and rolling left hand accompaniment are both passionate and compelling. I also really like “Be Still My Soul.” Beginning very simply in the treble with the melody only, the emotional depth of this piece is amazing. The piece fills out as it progresses, but Bjorck keeps it uncluttered and direct, a song from the heart. Bjorck concludes this collection with a sweet and gentle version of “Jesus Loves Me,” a perfect ending. “This I Know” is a wonderful recording for anyone who loves the classic hymns, but will also be a joy for anyone who loves deeply-felt piano solos. A rich and satisfying experience awaits the listener. Sure to be a favorite for 2007! Very highly recommended!