Arnold Wong - 'Solo Hymns'

Soulful and pristine, Arnold Wong wrings great heart out of the classic hymns on Solo Hymns.

Softly and soulfully, Arnold Wong and his mighty six stringed guitar pays homage to his God and the classic hymnists. Liner notes indicate he made "every effort to maintain the reverence and holiness ingrained in each song." Mission accomplished, Arnold, and then some.

There is a reverence that runs through each track of this lovely instrumental interpretation of Wong's favorite Christian hymns. The production is spotless, his playing is delicate and pristine, and a quiet passion simmers throughout. From "A Mighty Fortress is Our God" to "Crown Him with Many Crowns," and of course "Amazing Grace," all of the standard favorites are represented and performed spotlessly with the gentlest of strings. I'm not really a mellow girl, and for me, some spots were almost too gentle ("Fairest Lord Jesus"), but for everything there is a season, right? For a quiet devotional tool, I can't imagine a more helpful and perfect recording than Wong's. There's a quiet beauty here that is impossible to miss. Arnold Wong has served the tradition well.