Hymns from the Ryman

Gary Chapman | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 25, 1997)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Word -- Word --
• ASIN: B00000IQLV
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #23,768 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #6 in Music > Indie Music > Christian & Gospel > Rock

Track Listings

1. Sunday at the Ryman

2. Amazing Grace

3. Sweet Hour of Prayer

4. Jesu; Joy of Man's Desiring

5. Softly and Tenderly

6. This Is My Father's World

7. Fairest Lord Jesus

8. 'Tis So Sweet

9. Holy, Holy, Holy

10. The Lord Bless You and Keep You

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Peaceful, tranquil & reverential treatment of hymns, May 15, 2001

By 

Volkert Volkersz (Snohomish, WA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Hymns from the Ryman (Audio CD)

I received "Hymns from the Ryman" as a Christmas gift. Since Gary Chapman has been known to "rock," I was a bit hesitant to slip this disk into the CD player. I've had my fill of contemporary arrangements of hymns, so I was pleasantly surprised with the peace, tranquility and reverence that emanated from my speakers.

Chapman--probably best known for his many years as lead guitarist with Amy Grant--has assembled some of the most talented--but for the most part not well-known outside of Christian music circles--instrumentalists in the Nashville area.

Chet Atkins needs no introduction as one of the finest guitarists in the business for over 40 years. Here we get to listen in on some of his comical chatter--between songs--which has become a trademark on many of his recordings with others. He appropriately plays a gentle acoustic guitar solo on "Softly and Tenderly."

Michael W. Smith is the outstanding keyboardist/songwriter known for his fine work with Amy Grant before setting out on a successful solo career (with at least one crossover hit). Here Smith gives "Holy, Holy, Holy," a slow, sustained treatment, reminiscent of acoustic piano master George Winston.

To me, the surprise discovery on this recording is the superb, clean, clear fiddle work of Ruth McGinnis. I had noticed her name as a studio musician on other recordings, but here she shines, and she is deservedly featured on many tracks, including a solo Celtic interpretation of "Amazing Grace."

I've long been a fan of harmonica player, Buddy Greene, who is also a fine singer/songwriter/guitarist in his own right. Here he appears with Ruth McGinnis in a tasteful harmonica/fiddle duet on J.S. Bach's "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring." I would've enjoyed a bit more of Buddy's playing on this album, but he adds a nice touch on this piece, which he has also done on one of his own albums.

Chapman intersperses these fine instrumentals with some nice vocal renditions of hymns and gospel songs like "This is My Father's World," "'Tis So Sweet" and "The Lord Bless You and Keep You." This last one starts out sounding like a Gregorian chant, but breaks into choral harmony thanks to the magic of overdubbing.

This CD is one I play often. It works perfectly as background music in the school library where I work, but I love to listen to it at louder volumes and really pay attention to musicians, and to the One they're singing and playing about.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A beautiful recording, April 13, 2000

By 

Suzanne Amara (MA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Hymns from the Ryman (Audio CD)

I think this CD would have great appeal to many people. The hymns are sung in a way that's so very hard to find---simply and with respect for their meaning. Some numbers are instrumental, and are very well done. I especially liked "Softly and Tenderly", a hymn that before hearing it here had never been a real favorite of mine, but this great version here changed that! Very, very enjoyable CD.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Well Done - Gary, et al!, November 28, 1999

By 

Steven R. Norris "srnorris58" (Pasadena, CA USA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Hymns from the Ryman (Audio CD)

My wife and I found this CD in a cottage in Northern Ontario this summer, and fell in love with it. Guitar lovers will enjoy Chet Atkins on this album, and lovers of church standards will find great solace here in the treatment of several old hymns. Both vocally and instrumentally, this album is a treat. A gift of spiritual simplicity to an overly complex age. Lets see more of this, Gary! Christ is glorified here!