STYLE: Ambient/Meditational RATING OUR PRODUCT CODE: 167526-26160 LABEL: Independent FORMAT: Digital Only Album
Reviewed by Lins Honeyman
Utah-based acoustic guitarist, violinist and piano player Camille Nelson's debut offering sees the talented all-rounder tackle mostly instrumental versions of a number of familiar hymns. The result is pleasing enough on the ear in a background music sort of way. Nelson plays it very safe by offering up her easy going take on old and much-covered chestnuts like "Amazing Grace", "How Great Thou Art" and "Nearer My God To Thee" whilst an otherwise perfunctory version of "Be Thou My Vision" benefits from a Gaelic vocal from Alex Sharpe of Celtic Woman and Mormon Tabernacle Choir fame. Nelson's Mormon roots are referenced in her upbeat version of the Latter Day Saint hymn "Israel Israel God Is Calling" (to the tune of "What A Friend We Have In Jesus") whilst the LDS stalwart "Come Come Ye Saints" features a cameo from the singer's brother and Piano Guys 'cello player Steven Sharp Nelson. The lack of risk-taking here in terms of arrangements and song choice means that Nelson's competent enough first offering doesn't rise above musical wallpaper status despite her quietly accomplished playing.
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