 Described
on the CD as a "Christ-centered album featuring refreshing new arrangements
of twelve all-time favorite hymns", Our Savior's Love is comprised of primarily
instrumental arrangements, and certainly lives up to its description.Arranged
by Marshall McDonald, the hymns are indeed refreshing arrangements. Clearly, McDonald's
primary instrument is the piano, which is bright and crisp on the recordings,
though most songs carry the additional backing of a strong orchestral arrangement.
As mentioned
earlier, the album is primarily instrumental. The exception to that is McDonald's
arrangement to "How Great Thou Art" which features both a male and female
singer. Their voices sound delightful, however, after hearing a nice run of instrumental
music, a sudden vocal track seemed a little out of place. Another weaker part
of the album is Marshall's arrangement of "I Know That My Redeemer Lives!"
The orchestra seems to overpower the piano throughout the song which makes it
hard to follow. The melody of the hymn doesn't become apparent until the last
verse. Stronger
points of the CD include the arrangements of "Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing",
and "I Believe in Christ". The former shines through as a favorite track,
primarily because this is a solo piano piece that really showcases McDonald's
talent as a pianist and arranger. There is also more of an original feel to these
two tracks, due to McDonald's embellishments to the pieces. Our
Savior's Love is great Sunday music that would be a perfect addition to any of
the day's activities. The CD has a good variety of both soft and soothing music
with more energetic, orchestrated songs. 3
stars out of 5
------------------------
Cory
Reese | 
