HYMNS - THE OLD MADE NEW
By Ginny McCabe
Scott Wesley Brown's latest effort The Old Hymns Made New is an outstanding
collection of hymns covered by one of Contemporary Christian music's finest
voices. Even though the songs on this 12-track project are considered
to be some of the best-loved hymns, what really brings them to life here
is Brown's powerful and dynamic vocals and the musical stylings that support
his voice. //The project's highlights include the opening and joyous "Praise
to the Lord Almighty," the soothing, yet powerful "For the Beauty
of the Earth," and the timeless "Jesus I Come." Produced
by Brown, Billy Smiley and Jeff Nelson, The Old Hymns Made New showcases
not only Brown's talent, but combines both musical ability and genius
with songs that were relished by the early church. The choir from Scottsdale
Bible Church also makes a guest appearance on the project and Joe Bubar
is responsible for the choir arrangements. //Most recently, my favorite
hymn collections have included Ashley Cleveland's Men and Angels Say and
Jars of Clay's Redemption Songs, but I am certainly adding this one to
my list. For anyone who appreciates a well-done project of hymns, this
one is a must-have!
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TOP 40/INSPO
Scott Wesley Brown/Devotion Music
CBN.com – Some people strive for success. Others find a greater value
in focusing on significance. //Scott Wesley Brown is one such person.
Artists whose careers span three decades have definitely proven their
relevancy to the changing times. Scott Wesley Brown is no exception. He
has shown through the years that he is a man of quality and virtue. A
man who has left an indelible mark on Christian music....a prolific songwriter,
dynamic vocalist, challenging author, international missionary, worship
leader and Christian music pioneer!
The past three decades have...
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OLD HYMNS MADE NEW
By Candice Walker
Part of the New Worship Hymn Series, this recording delivers a spirit
filled worship project. Scott's pure and smooth voice brings a quality
to each tune and gives freshness to all of the familiar standards. Opening
with "Praise to the Lord the Almighty" (He's Worthy of Honor)
Scott's voice highlights this tune richly. He sings with a quality of
humbleness and richness that is refreshing. His voice soars on the standard
"Come Christians Join to Sing" every Amen that he sings is filled
with passion and you are moved into full worship with ease. The beautiful
ballad "For the Beauty of the Earth" with its acoustic guitar
paints an awesome picture of God and his power in creating the beauty
of this earth. Other notable tracks are "All Hail the Power"
and "Thy God Reigned" both great updated tunes. Thank goodness
Scott decided to bring in the old and make it new for a new generation.
Simply put it works.
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OLD HYMNS NEW -Scott Wesley Brown/Devotion Music
...//Easily the best song on the entire album is "For the Beauty
of the Earth." Brown is joined on this number by classically trained
Kristina who has a world class voice and whose lighter ethereal vocals
do well to compliment Brown’s deeper baritone vocals. Kristina provides
the introductory vocals, Brown sings the bulk of the song and at one point
the...
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GOSPEL ZONE
Scott Wesley Brown
"Through the years, Scott Wesley Brown has left an indelible mark
on Christian music. The past three decades have seen his signature on
nine number one singles, and his songs have been recorded by such artists
as Petra, Sandi Patti, Amy Grant, Pat Boone, The Imperials and international
opera star Placido Domingo." ...
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SCOTT WESLEY BROWN Preserves Classic Hymns
-By Cindy Lee
..."I think reaching back into history is and has always been a good
thing," states Brown. "What we are trying to do with the Worship
Hymns is to elevate the powerful content of the lyrics and combine it
with the great music of today." ...
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Scott Wesley Brown Reaches Into The Past
To Preserve Classic Hymns For The Future
...But despite his accomplishments as a songwriter, Brown's new release
Old Hymns Made New relies on the works of others, reaching into the past
to preserve and revive classic hymns for the future. ...
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OLD HYMNS MADE NEW
Devotion Music Press Release
NASHVILLE, TENN. -- Veteran artist Billy Smiley
has joined forces with Dave Ellefson (formerly of
the band Megadeth), Bryan Oleson (Newsboys) and new worship artist
Aaron Shust to form the worship-oriented band Symphony
in Red. Their debut CD The Old Made New is part of Smiley's new
Worship Hymn series, which includes recent hymn projects from Kristina
and Scott Wesley Brown. //Billy Smiley, founder and creator of Symphony
In Red, is a veteran Christian artist whose career spans over two decades
as a songwriter, producer and co-founder of band White
Heart. As a worship leader himself, Smiley has been developing
a new series called 'Worship Hymn', aimed to reach a new generation with
the beauty and history of the Hymns in a musical language they understand.
// "The whole concept started 3 years ago," says Smiley. "The
need in our church for Hymns made me start re-writing and re-arranging
some of these incredible old songs. The response was so incredible,
that I started inviting other worship leaders out to Arizona to help me
build the 'Worship Hymn' catalog. It is now over 150 songs and growing!"
// These 15 worship leaders (called the "Hymn
Boys") come together every 4 months to a relaxing cabin retreat
in the mountains of Arizona to record, rewrite and rearrange the Hymns.
"We have been writing these songs for the past
3 years, and it is so great to see the new demand for Hymns - and artists
this year are starting to record them," says Smiley. "We hope
to create a new hymnal for a new generation, and we want our songs to
reach the church in a new and exciting way." //The Old Made
New is Smiley's personal 'take' as to how he hears the Hymns of today
from a White Heart/Symphony in Red perspective. For this unique project,
he has assembled some of the industry's finest musicians - including Ryan
Dubes (keyboards/vocals), Dave Ellefson (F5 Bassist and former Megadeth
bassist), Jeff Ochletree (drums/vocals), Brennan Smiley (guitars) and
Greg Hagan (guitars/vocals, formerly with the Katinas). Worship
leader Carson Joyner from Chandler, Arizona
joins Smiley and Ochletree on Lead Vocals. The album also features vocals
from Aaron Shust (courtesy of Brash Music) and
Bryan Oleson (guitarist for the Newsboys).
//"Symphony In Red was a natural by-product of creating the Worship
Hymn series," states Smiley. "As an Artist and a Worship leader,
I hope to perform with these incredible musicians at worship conferences,
our own 'Worship Hymn' conferences, and concerts throughout the coming
years promoting the Hymns and the power of the worship within these great
songs." //Billy Smiley started his career with the Bill
Gaither organization, producing the first four Gaither Vocal Band
albums, which sold more than 1 million units. Shortly after, Smiley stepped
out from behind the soundboard and in 1982 formed the Grammy-nominated
rock group White Heart with Mark Gersmehl
and Dann Huff (producer for Faith Hill, Lonestar
and more). White Heart recorded and toured worldwide through 1998,
selling over 2.5 million records, while collecting 17
#1 singles, 2 Grammy Award nominations, and 23 Dove Award nominations.
//And as an independent producer, Smiley has produced
more than 40 albums, and 27 #1 songs. He has 5 Grammy Award nominations,
and has co-written 22 #1 songs, and over 50 Top 10 songs. Throughout
his career, Smiley has helped discover, develop, produce, A&R, and
write for such artists as The Newsboys, The
Insyderz, White Heart, Susan Ashton, Petra,
Steven Curtis Chapman, Margaret Becker, BeBe & CeCe Winans, Gaither
Vocal Band, and many more. In recent years, his songs have been
recorded by everyone from Amy Grant to multi-platinum
American Idol alumni Clay Aiken. //In addition
to independent production and artist development, Smiley owns and operates
the successful Christian music labels Cul De Sac
Records and Devotion Music. The eclectic roster of artists include
Symphony In Red, Kristina, Scott Wesley Brown, Marshall
McLuhan, Ross Wright Band, and the Worship Hymn series. //The 'Worship
Hymn' series is receiving extensive marketing to churches and worship
leaders throughout the next year, with multiple television appearances
and 'Worship Hymn' conferences planned nationwide. Song DISCovery's May/June
disc featured Symphony in Red's inspirational/worship single "Jesus
I Come," and the first AC/CHR single "Spirit of the Living God"
is now impacting at radio. //The Old Made New was released August 23 and
is in stores now. The Worship Hymn series and Devotion Music are distributed
worldwide by New Day, Spring Arbor, Central South,
and MPI International Distribution.
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