Dana Jorgensen – Christmas and Hymns EP
Nov 25, 2011 CD Reviews
Posted by
wiegmake
Christmas and Hymns EP
Dana Jorgensen
Mosaic Artistry Group
Jorgensen does not take the easy route on his latest EP titled “Christmas and Hymns.” The song selection is quite meaningful and musically challenging. While he picks the classic hymns he’s recorded them in a more contemporary sound.
The lead track “O Holy Night” has a lively and invigorating soundtrack that matches the intensity of the lyrics. On “O Come All Ye Faithful” Jorgensen applies a slight bit of funk to the soundtrack and soul to the vocals. “Come Thou Fount” however is more traditional piano-led hymn and lastly, “O Come O Come Emmanuel” really focuses on Jorgensen’s vocals with a light string soundtrack backing him up.
The sole original track, “When Love First Cried,” is a contemporary pop song that reflects on the birth of Jesus. I think he best explains it himself in the press release.
Dana explains, “I wanted to write ‘When Love First Cried’ because it takes a different approach to the telling of the Christmas Story. This song brings insight into the difference of what Christmas was when Jesus was born and what it has turned into now. Jesus was born into humble surroundings in a stable where there were likely no sounds but the nearby animals. There were no carols being sung families giving gifts or a huge meal, just the beauty of His birth.”
I am very fond of the classic seasonal hymns, and Jorgensen has shown his own respect for them by maintaining their beautiful simplicity and meaningfulness. Jorgensen also adds to that meaningfulness with the insightful “When Love First Cried” making the album a praiseworthy offering for the season.
- Ken W.
