Legacy Hymns & Faith

Amy Grant | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 29, 2005)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Word Entertainment
• ASIN: B0007CG13G
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (118 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #54,978 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

14 Song CD with Limited Edition DVD.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

42 of 43 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars More than music, June 5, 2002

By 

H. Rex Hammock (Nashville, TN USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Legacy Hymns & Faith (Audio CD)

If I had written this review when first listening to Legacy, my comments likely would have been limited the production: what I like and don't about the song selection, arrangements, and performance. Yet now, after a couple of weeks of listening to the CD several times, I've come to appreciate it on a much different and deeper level.

Some background. While I've no doubt heard some of Amy's earlier songs (who hasn't heard Baby, Baby on muzak?), my primary consumption of her music comes each year during the holidays when my family enjoys her two Christmas CDs. She is for my family what Perry Como or Bing Crosby must have been when I was little: the background music of the holidays. Despite their slick and sweet production, they possess a sincerity and conviction that have helped them rise far above the typically awful celebrity holiday compilation.

When I heard about Legacy, I was curious to discover for myself if it has the warmth and spirit of the holiday CDs. (I had sampled an earlier CD, Behind the Eyes, and found it, well, depressing.) I also was curious if Amy Grant could interpret the hymns I heard during my childhood as convincingly as she has done the carols I enjoyed.

I hope this CD touches others as it has me. Sure, I have little gripes about some of the songs. (For instance, I'm not typically a fan of "speaking" during a song.) But those complaints are minor when compared to the overall impact of the CD. At least for me, Legacy provides comfort during not so comfortable times. It does my soul well to turn off the radio news regarding war in the Middle East and hear her sing, "It is well with my soul."

As for the complaints I've read in some other reviews, specifically about the "country" influence: Bunk. One of the enjoyable things about this CD is to hear such a wide array of influences, from at least two Celtic traditions to bluegrass to old-time and black gospel. Fans of Vince Gill will no-doubt recognize his guitar virtuosity and remarkable harmonizings, but this CD is Twang-Free.

Indeed, after listening to it, my wish is that she would actually do a gospel album in collaboration with some of her contemporary bluegrass music neighbors in Nashville. I suggest she do a CD like Legacy (but all acoustic) and in the tradition of a "Let the Circle be Unbroken" by the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. Dolly Parton, Nickel Creek, Patty Lovelace, Vince Gill, Ricky Skaggs, etc. each doing a song with Amy Grant would make a great Legacy II.

One other suggestion. For me, one of the most moving 20 seconds of this CD come at the end of a new song "Imagine" (no, not THE Imagine), track nine, when Amy sings the first verse (no chorus) of "When We all Get to Heaven" (or at least that's what I call the song she titles Sing The Wondrous Love Of Jesus). On Legacy II, please, more.

One last comment on what has to be the longest review I've ever written. I go to one of those fancy in-town churches that doesn't sing the hymns I grew up with. While I love this church (and its music), I have regretted that my children will not know those hymns. Remarkably, this CD has appealed not only to my ears and heart, but to those of my 11 and 14-year-old. They now know what real hymns are.

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Old Country Churches, January 21, 2006

By 

Bobby Underwood "starlighthotel" (Manly NSW, Australia) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Legacy Hymns & Faith (Audio CD)

This is a wonderful collection of old time Christian songs of faith from Amy Grant. Magnificently produced by husband Vince Gill, it is at once artistically beautiful yet simply presented so that the words of faith are not overpowered by the productions. Grant made this album to commemorate her roots in Christian music and has lovingly rendered all those songs she sang as a child in church with her grandmother in a manner that would make her proud. It is gentle and soulful and the selections are perfect.

1) "This is My Father's World"-This song has a ferris wheel kind of rhythm that ponders on the happiness of living in God's world in all its beauty.

2) "My Jesus, I Love Thee"-There is a Scottish Highland kind of feeling to this selection as Amy sings of love for Jesus.

3) "Softly and Tenderly"-Amy perfectly captures this haunting call for the weary to "come home" to God.

4) "I Need Thee Every Hour/Nothing But the Blood"-The heartfelt "I Need Thee Every Hour" blends effortlessly into the rollicking tent revival duet of Amy and Vince on "Nothing but the Blood" that will have you feeling as though you should be up on your feet and clapping your hands together.

5) "What You Already Own"-I am not sure if it was intentional or coincidence, but I could not help thinking of how Amy was abandoned by some in the Christian community for not being perfect. This gentle lament of sometimes being unfaithful and doing wrong and looking to God for strength shows his spirit remains with those with faith, which is played out by our lives.

6) "It is Well With My Soul/The River's Gonna Keep on Rolling"-This beautful blending of songs has a flow like a river itself as Amy sings of God's love being like a river that keeps forgiving and makes us realize it is not possesions that are our legacy, but ourselves.

7) "Do You Remember the Time"-This song is a longing for the innocence we all once had and an encouragement to hold on to how we once felt, when we were kids, and heaven seemed real.

8) "Fields of Plenty/Be Still My Soul"-A melancholy guitar solo turns into a haunting admonition to leave things in God's hands, culminating with a voice over by Amy that is heartrending.

9) "Imagine/Sing the Wondrous Love of Jesus"-Amy's imagining what it will be like to see and be in His Glory ends in the brief ode to her love of Jesus.

10) "Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing"-This great church hymn with it's terrific background vocals and country flavor makes you feel like you driving by an old country church during a different era.

11) "Fairest Lord Jesus"-This is a guitar driven song of uplifting praise, and once again, makes you think of being in church.

12) "Holy, Holy, Holy"-This is a beautiful song of love for God that is like looking out over a glorious vista of His creation.

13) "What a Friend We Have in Jesus/Old Rugged Cross/How Great Thou Art"-Traditional church songs are beautifully melded together and offer a nostalgic longing for the faith of simpler times.

14) "Marching to Zion"-The ending of a church service and that Scottish Highland feel return as Amy ends this wonderful album with an uplifting church hymn, choir and all.

This is a truly wonderful collection of songs born of faith that has a special feeling of old churches in the country and gatherings in small towns to sing praises. It is a very special CD that crosses boundaries and can be enjoyed by anyone who loves music.

It is a reminder to those of us who are jaded and world weary, who have stood next to the darkness and in it, who have seen a little too much, that good still does exist, as does hope.

19 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Inspired! Best yet!, July 28, 2002

By 

Glenn Trueman (Alton, IL) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Legacy Hymns & Faith (Audio CD)

From inception to final mastering this album took just 29 days...but it wasn't rushed, it was inspired. And while her husband co-produced and played on the tracks, this is not a Vince Gill record, and it's not "country" music. It's Amy Grant through and through. These are songs and hymns of faith and love with beautiful, thoughtful arrangements and instrumentation. This music is the natural, wonderful unfoldment of Amy's life. Of her love of God, of church, of Jesus. Of her dedication to her Christian faith.

Amy doesn't need to prove anything to anyone. She doesn't need fan approval or adoration. She doesn't need to write "pop" songs or to appease the Christian music world. We should be grateful that this wonderful person-this woman, mother, sister, singer-continues to write and record great music, and to share it with us through records and concert tours. And this album demonstrates Amy's commitment to her music and her faith in solid fashion. Her vocals are sweet and sincere. I can feel her hope, her wonder, her trust.

My favorite tracks: This Is My Father's World, Softly And Tenderly, The River's Gonna Keep On Rolling, Do You Remember The Time, and Imagine (not the John Lennon song).

This is the work of a mature woman who has really come into her own. Strictly Christian music is behind her. Mere pop tunes are a thing of the past. With her previous album (Behind the Eyes) Amy has proven that she is her own person, sharing her journey with us through her music. And I'm so glad to be along for the ride. It may take more than a few listens to get into this album, but the reward is great for those who make the effort. Have faith!