Grace (CD - 2005)

Personnel: Jim Brickman (keyboards); Ginny Owens, Mario Frangoulis, Michael Bolton, Selah (vocals); Chris Korblein, Bruce Watson (guitar); Ludvig Girdland, Charlie Bisharat (violin); David Grow (keyboards, percussion, programming); Howard Pfeifer (keyboards); Jorgen Carlsson (bass instrument); Erik Eldenious (drums); Windy Wagner (background vocals).

Like the majority of his oeuvre, Jim Brickman lays down an instantaneously successful combination that assures airplay on adult contemporary stations and feel-good new age programs for years to come. Like his works on his Ballads, Vol. 1 and holiday records, Brickman selects a few of his favorite traditional religious hymns and invites a few guest vocalists to perform on several compositions which helps to break up an otherwise instrumental-heavy record. Contributions from vocalists Ginny Owens, Mario Frangoulis, Selah and Chris Korblein all provide pleasant counterpoints to Brickman's airy piano arrangements. But it's the inclusion of soft rock staple Michael Bolton and his powerful performance on "Hear Me (Tears Into Wine)" that is the icing on the proverbial cake as far as vocal contributions go. While all of the vocalists add a pleasant touch to Grace's overall feel, Brickman's instrumental arrangements are the true stars of the show here, especially with his gorgeous revision of "Ode to Joy" (here called "Joyful") and the stirring "Holy Holy Holy." It's not Brickman's finest album, but it most definitely is an enjoyable addition to his already impressive body of work. ~ Rob Theakston

Given that Jim Brickman has recorded with Contemporary Christian artists Michael W. Smith and Susan Ashton in the past, it's not surprising that the virtuoso pianist would make the contents of GRACE resonate with faith and praise. The fluidity of Brickman's flawless playing gives added impetus to many of the instrumentals sprinkled throughout this spiritually themed collection.

Brickman's renditions of traditional numbers move from the expansive, sprightly arrangement of "Jesu" to the thoughtful, Vince Guaraldi-like nuances of "Crown Him With Many Crowns." As with his prior releases, Brickman involves his share of special guests. Christian singer/songwriter Ginny Owens lends her talents to a rich rendition of "Amazing Grace," and classical-crossover vocalist Mario Frangoulis induces goosebumps on an uplifting "Ave Maria." And while the Dove Award-winning trio Selah impresses mightily on "Be Thou Near to Me," Brickman's longtime friend Michael Bolton steals the spotlight with his typically exuberant phrasing, giving the already-inspirational Brickman original "Hear Me (Tears Into Wine)" that much more spiritual heft. minimize