Album Notes

Christmas hymns from The Hymnal: A Worship Book and some selected songs.

To follow my first CD, Hymns and Songs of the Brethren, I focused on songs emphasizing the birth (and life) of Jesus. Many songs are from The Hymnal: A Worship Book (the Brethren/Mennonite hymnal) plus several songs from the Hymnal Supplement are included. “Three Kings” by Robbie O’Connell, “Bread and Fishes” by Andy Bell, and “O Sing a Song of Bethlehem” from The Presbyterian Hymnal also found their way into this collection from other sources.

When I play these songs, I often only hint at the harmonies and focus largely on the tunes. I’ll play the melody and sometimes a counterpoint harmony. When I do play chords, they always include several drone strings that never change pitch. This constant, peaceful foundation of tone adds to the spiritual, meditative quality of the songs.

I hope this recording will generate interest in hymns and songs of the church and keep the sense of discovery alive as we seek to worship together to encourage our spiritual growth.

Special Guests on the recording include:

Jessie Trainum - violin (Tracks 1 & 8) vocals (Tracks 9 & 12)
Jessica Holl Kennedy - vocals (Tracks 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, & 9)
Steve Kennedy - classical guitar (Tracks 4, 10, & 12)
Bart Reardon - bass (Track 9)