Customer Reviews

I Love to Tell the Story

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I find myself turning to this CD more and more when I feel like hearing a good hymn sing! I love the way Griffith sings. He will remind you of your favorite male member of your church choir---not overly polished, but sining in such a heartfelt yet not falsely emotional way. You can certainly tell he grew up singing these hymns in a little country church! It's hard to find traditional hymns sung this way. I love a few of the selections especially---Will the Circle be Unbroken, which my 2 year old loves to hear and sing along to, Softly and Tenderly, which he sings so well, and How Great Thou Art, a wonderful hymn however it's sung, but his version is one of my favorite ever---especially the way he speaks the powerful last verse over the music! If you are looking for slick pop versions and highly polished singing, look elsewhere, but if you like to hear hymns sung the way you remember from your childhood, look here!

I am a chaplain at a Long Term Care Facility in Texas. For the past year I have used this tape twice a week on the Alzheimer's Unit. If these residents can do nothing else, they can still sing the hymns of their childhood. It is both amazing and inspirational to see the joy on their faces when they can recognize something from the past. I have worn out the tape and am replacing it.

In this wonderful CD, acting legend and singer Andy Griffith (b.1926) sings a selection of the hymns that have inspired him throughout his life. Few know that Mr. Griffith's first career choice had been to be an opera singer, and that he graduated from the University of North Carolina with a degree in music. Deeply religious, he had originally enrolled as a pre-divinity student, and though he switched over to drama, he never completely lost that first love.

This CD contains twenty-five classic Christian hymns, sung in Mr. Griffith's distinctive voice. Shall We Gather at the River flows into Will the Circle Be Unbroken, as he takes us along down memory lane to the great hymns of yesterday. I found this to be a great CD, one that gets better with each listening. (My favorite song is Wayfaring Stranger, which Mr. Griffith makes a very moving song to listen to.) It is a great CD to relax to, and just be carried off. I can't recommend it enough!

In his golden years, Andy Griffith has bestowed a tremendous gift upon us in his "I Love To Tell The Story" collection. I've heard critics complain that he does not offer the slick polish of a young man's voice, but I wouldn't trade the sincere feeling and heart-touching depth Andy Griffith can put across for anything. There's a lifetime of warmth that resonates through his voice in these beautiful old songs. Creating such meaning with voice comes from time spent living. Listening makes me wish I'd grown up in his part of the south. This is my second of Andy's CD's, the first was The Christmas Guest (truly superb - a must have). I Love To Tell The Story arrived only a few days ago but has already logged many hours playing. If I had to choose favorites on this cd, (two of them tied for absolute favorite) they would be (1A) Precious Memories: gentle sweet and peaceful (1B) Sweet Prospect: both tenderly reverent and compelling; makes an excellent showcase for the gentle power of Andy's classical trained voice. (2) Softly and Tenderly: lovely, heartfelt and moving (3) How Great Thou Art: like listening to his sincere private conversation with his maker (4) Amazing Grace: stirring rendition. All together it is a beautiful collection, well executed, classically. This is not flash, this is substance. This will be in my collection always, played often.

As a member of a musical family (even my detective in TDA sings) that still gathers at the piano to sing many favorite songs, including the good ol' hymns of yesteryear, I love Andy's CDs. When I need a lift, I pop one into the CD player...car or home...and sing away. They're great to use for family get-togethers when there's no piano handy. Andy's background musicians are also superb. I cherish Andy's CDs that I own. Keep singin' and recordin', Andy! We can feel your sincerity in each number.

This collection of hymns and hymn medleys is a powerful, very moving experience. Griffith's articulate, resonant voice is a superb vehicle for these golden, cherished hymns, and he shows us that the mouth can only sing what the heart has first caressed. Anything less is mere noise.

Among others, one of the most moving, inspirational selections of this CD is his rendition of "How Great Thou Art". It is sung meditatively, yet with a power that infuses the soul with reverence. Then, when the melody softens and Griffith begins to pronounce the lines of the hymn in a powerful voice, it seems that the veil of time has been lifted away, and we are witnessing the focus of all Christianity on one single theme in one powerful and reverent moment. For a few brief moments, the voice we hear is the chorus of the patriarchs, the apostles, the martyrs, and the saved at all times and everywhere resounding down through the ages - for the message it brings is timeless in its reverence and exaltation of the greatness of God.

Also of note is Griffith's excellent balance between the old and the new. Portions of a few of the medleys do come across as being infused with bluegrass/western-like guitar runs, but - on a scope uncommon for most recordings of older hymns - Griffith is consistently very faithful to the old melodies. The harmony and backup vocals are centered around the melody of the songs, not around the lead singer.

All in all, this is a CD very well worth listening to. Although it is certain to bring on fond memories, its value lies in its being conducive to reflection, introspection, and prayer. Griffith's own testimony and expressive talent further enhance its natural, ageless luster.

- Benjamin Gene Gardner

I just love the good old songs i grew up with, that is the true roots of gospel. To hear them and enjoy them is truly a blessing.

As a long standing fan of Andy Griffith I really enjoy his music I always sang these songs to my children when they were little and now I am singing them to my great grand child I am hoping to get this album for xmas from my daughter Amber who I love very much Thank you Andy for the beautiful music God Bless

I rate this 5 stars for overall listening (and singing) pleasure. If you don't know these songs, they are wonderful, uplifting and meaningful. You will enjoy the messages of the songs and you will enjoy them musically. Andy Griffith sings in a relaxed, unaffected manner and the gospel harmony and instrumental accompaniment makes this CD a joy to listen to. If you do know the songs, the CD is even more enjoyable, because you will be singing along. This is a great CD and I feel great every time I listen/sing to it.

All of the hymns Andy sings are older hymns which my mother enjoys. He has a great voice, and he sings selections suited to his voice.