Album Notes

Hymns of the Faith

For many of us, there is nothing so familiar and wonderful as a favorite hymn or melody that we may have learned years ago, perhaps even when we were a child. So many times, the songs we first learn become our favorites.

Hymns of the Faith, a new recording by John Gravel, reflects on these melodies in an intimate and honest journey through some of the great hymns of the Christian Faith.

Now, you might wonder why anyone would want to call a recording of hymns ‘new.’ John explains “These tunes are the ‘standards’ of Christian music today. I hear them and I think of Jazz music and how timeless melodies are constantly reinterpreted by so many different artists. So many of the hymns we know and love are deeply melodic and harmonic goldmines with a broad cultural heritage. It’s easy to get lost in them for hours on end.”

That isn’t to say that Hymns is a jazz album. Stylistically it’s a bit of a potpourri. Two parts George Winston, a generous helping of gospel, and a perhaps a hint of Schroeder starts the recipe off. “People ask me what style I play and I always pause a bit because it’s such a mix. And if you wait too long to answer you get pegged as ‘New Age,’ which may not be exactly on the mark for this recording.”

Hymns does have its moments of quietude…but also has moments of much greater emotion that even players will enjoy. “I think the variety in the tracks and their arrangements is a tribute to the tunes themselves. These songs have hung on through many generations.”

But that’s what makes them great for today. Have a listen to some of the tracks from Hymns and see what you think. "I hope you both enjoy it and are reminded of God’s great love for us in each and every song."

In Him,

John


Biography

John began developing his gift of music from a young age. He has been playing piano since age five and quickly developed a love for it soon after.

John currently plays piano Friday nights at Café la Fontana in Hatboro, PA.

He also publicly performs Hymns and Song of the Faith with his friend and tenor, Gregg Black.