Sara Groves “Joy of Every Longing Heart” Album Review

Prime Cuts: Winter Wonderland, God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, Just Like They Said
Overall Grade: 4.5/5
The birth of Jesus can bring great upheavals. Luke 2:3 tells us that when King Herod first heard about the news of the birth of the Messiah, he together with the whole city of Jerusalem were disturbed. Sara Groves' sophomore Christmas record "Joy of Every Longing Heart," tries to take snapshots of how the news of Jesus' birth has impacted the people of the town of Bethlehem. In each of these 9 songs, she brings us into the narratives of the wise men, shepherds and even the angels as they wrestle with what the birth of Jesus means for them. She jostles our jadedness with the many surprising melodic twists in her renditions of her traditional carols. And she expands our imaginations with her newly crafted narratives in her original compositions.
"Joy of Every Longing Heart" is Groves' second Christmas recording, the follow-up to 2008's "O Holy Night." While the first effort centers upon the story of the Holy family, the nexus of this sophomore effort is on the stories surrounding the townsfolk of Bethlehem. These stories are teased out through 5 traditional carols, 3 original tracks and 1 instrumental. Don't expect Groves to sing the evergreen carols like she is in a karaoke bar. Rather, she re-interprets all 5 of them and weaves her own melodic nuances into each of them. "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen," for instance, still retains the original's hook and melodic development. But Groves infuses her big piano cum strings balladry touch making it sound more retrospective and reflective. While many a lesser artist will treat "O Come O Come Emmanuel" in a dirge-like fashion, Groves gives it a bright reading quipped with a tinge of metallic-sounding percussion.
Best among her trio of originals is "Just Like They Said." Here the narrative lens is seen through the eyes of the shepherd as they first heard about the birth of the Messiah. Groves' attention paid to the detailing of their emotions and how such revelations are palatable to us are staggering. The jaunty "We Wait" finds us in the shoes of the townsfolk of Bethlehem as they await for the dawning of the Messianic age. The echo-y chorus of the backing vocals is particularly effective as it reminds us that our waiting and longing are never in isolation. The Celtic-sounding "Let Our Gladness Have No End" is an apt album closer as it is a gorgeous worship piece in celebration of how the Christ-child can transform our lives for the better.
All in all, the message of the record is sum up in its album cover. Featuring the town of Bethlehem shaded in nocturnal greyness, the town is being greeted by the dawning rays of the sun painted with orange and red hues Likewise, these songs still tell the story of how these rays of hope still change our lives from darkness to light.
Tags : Sara Groves “Joy of Every Longing Heart” Album Review Sara Groves christmas albums 2019 sara groves joy of every longing heart Sara Groves christmas album
Hot Trends
-
7 Intriguing Facts About Pope Leo XIV
-
Squire Parsons, Southern Gospel Singer, Dies
-
Here Are Lyrics to Citipointe Worship's "Risen King"
-
Sanctus Real Shares "The Difference" Message Of Hope With Prison Inmates
-
Phil Wickham Releases 6 Versions of "What An Awesome God"
-
New Film "Finding Faith" Tells a Powerful Story of Loss, Hope and Healing
-
Exclusive Interview with the Talleys About their Brand New Album "The Test of Time"
-
Lee Greenwood's "God Bless the USA" Bible is Available Now
-
Joy Williams Reveals the Real Reason Behind Civil War's Breakup
-
Adam Lambert Cast as Judas in "Jesus Christ Superstar"
-
Jimmy Fortune, Ben Isaacs, Bradley Walker, and Mike Rogers Forms Brothers Of The Heart With New Album Coming
-
Kutless Returns to their Rock Roots with "Midnight"
-
Seventh Day Slumber Collaborates with 12 Stones and Starringo on "Garden of Shadows"
-
7 Interesting Facts About Pope Francis' Funeral
-
FREE MUSIC: Philippa Hanna's "You're Still God"
Most Popular
-
7 Intriguing Facts About Pope Leo XIV
-
Squire Parsons, Southern Gospel Singer, Dies
-
Here Are Lyrics to Citipointe Worship's "Risen King"
-
Sanctus Real Shares "The Difference" Message Of Hope With Prison Inmates
-
Phil Wickham Releases 6 Versions of "What An Awesome God"
-
New Film "Finding Faith" Tells a Powerful Story of Loss, Hope and Healing
-
Exclusive Interview with the Talleys About their Brand New Album "The Test of Time"
-
Lee Greenwood's "God Bless the USA" Bible is Available Now
-
Joy Williams Reveals the Real Reason Behind Civil War's Breakup
-
Adam Lambert Cast as Judas in "Jesus Christ Superstar"
-
Jimmy Fortune, Ben Isaacs, Bradley Walker, and Mike Rogers Forms Brothers Of The Heart With New Album Coming
-
Kutless Returns to their Rock Roots with "Midnight"
-
Seventh Day Slumber Collaborates with 12 Stones and Starringo on "Garden of Shadows"
-
7 Interesting Facts About Pope Francis' Funeral
-
FREE MUSIC: Philippa Hanna's "You're Still God"