Hymn Improvisation Album

No Turning Back

This is my first attempt at a piano hymn improv for an upcoming piano album... It's based on "I Have Decided to Follow Jesus" but with my own peculiar twists. Let me know what you think!!!

Holy, Holy, Holy

Here we have the second in a series of piano improvisations on hymn tunes. It is based on the great old song, "Holy, Holy, Holy". I think the sound is a bit improved! And, Brent was amazed that it sounded "happy". Let me know what you think. Enjoy!

There Is a Balm in Gilead

This is the third recording in Randy's emerging piano improv album. This lovely old tune may be somewhat different than you remember it. However, it's how it sounds in my heart and how my hands made it work.

It Is Well

"It Is Well With My Soul" is one of those songs that is often left far too mournful. I was pleased to give it a bit of mischief as I played it. And, it was tougher to get this one to come out of my hands. Go figure..!

Come Thou Fount (Ebenezer Dreaming)

I really enjoyed working out the harmonization of this improv. It was a challenge to find the balance between the mystic trust of God and the raw fear of actually facing the Creator. And, there's a bit of playfulness in the whole "ebenezer" lyric. I've never understood it and it's always amused me!! I hope you enjoy!

In the Garden

This was one of my grandmother's favorite songs. I think she would probably like it this way. Feel free to tell me what you think! Perhaps even better, my mother likes it!

Count Your Blessings

This old chestnut of a tune just walks along with me so easily. I had the image of an old western saloon in mind while I was playing... sort of a "don't shoot me - I'm only the piano player" mentality. It's very tongue in cheek but there seems to be no escaping the blessings of God and I'm glad!

Call Medley

This little medley of "Children of the Heavenly Father", "Softly & Tenderly", and "Be Thou My Vision", came together quickly and intuitively. It is fun to play and seems to resonate with many of the memories I have of the more "old-school", traditional worship of my childhood. I'm glad to post it here for your listening pleasure!!

A Mighty Fortress

"A Mighty Fortress Is Our God" is one of the staples of my historic experience of hymnody. I like the idea that Luther and others of the reformation often took popular drinking songs and re-set the melodies with so-called "Christian" lyrics. So, I played this one in a similar fashion to how I might sing it if it were set in a "bloozy" context. It breathes like I would breathe... I hope you like it.

Will the Circle Be Unbroken

After dreaming about "The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band" I had to do a simple improv on "Will the Circle Be Unbroken". It felt good to just lay this track down with some quiet passion while not really worrying about the ultimate ends the song implies. Life is good! Perhaps we're best off when we let it continue to be good without worry about issues of denouement.

Photo-Nicole Kuhlman ... Artwork-Steve Alcantara

another possible album cover - 1st draft