The concept of the folk hymn may sound like an anachronism, but there were countless lay composers who gradually shaped the hymn books for different branches of the Christian faith, far beyond the work of the accepted giants of hymnody (from
Charles Wesley to Martin Luther). The
Mormon Tabernacle Choir salutes that great tradition with
Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing: American Folk Hymns & Spirituals, a collection of 17 performances, most of which date back to the first half of the 19th century and have either traditional lyrics or musical basis in folk tunes (or both). Accompanied by the Orchestra at Temple Square, the choir reprises spirituals ("I Want Jesus to Walk with Me," "The Battle of Jericho," "Down to the River to Pray") as well as Southern harmony classics ("His Voice as the Sound," "My God, My Portion and My Love") and standard folk hymns ("Amazing Grace," "We'll Shout and Give Him Glory"). The set is anchored by the title song, which the
Mormon Tabernacle Choir itself made increasingly popular ever since a mid-'90s arrangement by its musical director and conductor, Mack Wilberg, who's responsible for the majority of the arrangements here. ~ John Bush