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  First
off I have to say I really appreciate the liner notes for this album.
Critiquing classical guitar can be a dicey business if one isn't
entirely familiar with all of the works. What's nice is the liner
notes explained the background of the songs and used the technical
terms for the techniques used by Green on the album. Good deal.
Green starts off with a Shaker hymn, "Simple Gifts," which
succeeded in driving my desire once again to acquire a Shaker hymnal.
I've heard a few of their hymns performed by a variety of artists,
and I can't escape the feeling that the Shakers contributed more
than simple furniture, they left behind an impressive body of hymns.
This one is no exception and receives a nice treatment by Green's
arrangement.
"E'en So Lord Jesus Quickly Come" is a choral anthem that
K. Newell Dayley arranges into the bare minimum, but yet still captures
the mood of the original.
"Kingsfold" is the recognizable "If You Could Hie
to Kolob" hymn. I love how Green makes the guitar sing. Very
beautiful.
"How Great Thou Art." The liner notes say that it was
Ezra Taft Benson who successfully persuaded colleagues to embrace
this hymn in the 1985 hymnal. Green gives it a brief but eloquent
treatment here.
"We Give Thee But Thine Own" is arranged by Dr. David
Sargent, and is done in a theme and variations format. Nicely done.
"Grace" is an original composition by Dr. Murray Boren
and is a soothing piece.
"Assembly (The Spirit of God)" is familiar and a little
peppy compared to the rest of the works featured on this album.
It's amazing what this man can do with a guitar. This is a real
treat.
Variations on "Nephite Lamentation" is unfamiliar to me,
but was an interesting listen all the same. The liner notes say
that this song has been passed down through four generations, with
the fourth generation being Thomas L. Durham. This is one of the
longer pieces, but intriguing.
"Medley" seamlessly moves back and forth between "Onward
Christian Soldiers" and "We Are All Enlisted." Very
fun piece.
"Greenhill" is another composition by Murray Boren and
was slightly misleading because I expected it to be a variation
of "There is a Green Hill."
"Love One Another" is a gorgeous and peaceful rendition
(written by Green) of the popular song.
"Amazing Grace" gets a graceful treatment in this arrangement
penned by Green.
I don't have a body of work to compare this album to. I don't know
if Green has released any other albums. But given what I've heard
on this album, his talent rates five stars. I hope to hear more
from this gifted guitarist.
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Dacia
A. Blodgett-Williams
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