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Vernon and Christina Neufeld, husband and wife singing partners, offer 12 representative traditional hymns in an appealing
folksy style. The verses in hymns like Take Thou my Hand O Father, Fairest Lord Jesus and Rifted Rock are sung as vocals
in a semi-popular folk style. Verses are alternately presented as solo lines,duets, trios and all SATB voices by the 2 singers.
All 12 hymns are also recorded in German on a separate CD recording.
This new CD is quite remarkable for
a) the free improvisatory vocal style which strongly appeals to younger people and many older folk who are not steeped
in "pure classics."
b) the innovative, even clever but always tasteful musical arrangements by Vernon and percussioinist Darrel Bueckert.
c) the rich variety of instrumental color provided by the availability of 8 different instruments ranging from guitar
to marimba. In Rifted Rock (Wehrlos und Verlassen) well known Paraguayan harpist, Eduard Klassen providesa fresh touch.
d) the musical and beautiful obligato flute lines which adorn the melody or provide the melodic lines for the instrumental
introductions and interludes, played by Michelle Gross.
For this reviewer the musical highlight is the creative arrangement and performance of the old psalm tune, Freu Dich
sehr with the words, Comfort, comfort ye my people. The quick, flowing plucked accompaniment ingeniously weaves in musical
ideas from the more slowly sung tune. The musical imagination and inventiveness featured leaves one to wish that a recording
of Psalm tunes could follow by these talented musicians, with a title like Swinging with the Pslams!
If I should choose a trademark for this fine musical gift to our community, it would have to be "heartfelt sincerity
and naturalness." There is nothing ostentatious in this recording - which was a long labor of love for all the participants.
Biographical:
Vernon Neufeld, senior Music graduate from CMU (B.mus. arts) is also music director and worship consultant at Springfield
Heights Mennonite Church.
Christina, mother and homemaker, singer and songwriter, has had several years of classical voice training in Paraguay
and Saskatoon
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