Rex Paul Schnelle - Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs
Rex Paul Schnelle - Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs
Rex Paul Schnelle has accomplished something wonderful – a worshipful experience you can dig into for its musical chops.
Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs
Rex Paul Schnelle
12 tracks / 49:01
Rex Paul Schnelle’s Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs has a pretty self-defining title. On this wonderful collection of twelve songs you will hear examples of all of the above. Sitting comfortably between progressive and classic rock, Schnelle’s intention here would be pleasing to the well-known Apostle who inspired the title, since the lyrical aim of the album is in praise to God first, and to inspire fellow believers to share in worship second. Saint Paul is also the one who made the “noisy gong or clanging cymbal” remark, which implies that maybe he valued music that was well-performed (he might not have had good eyes but evidently, he could hear well). At any rate, I can attest – this is some good sounding music! Not only does RPS (can I call you that, Rex?) know how to write hooky, interesting melodies, but he also has a very listenable and expressive vocal style and plays drums, bass, keys, and some mighty impressive guitar throughout the album.
About the aforementioned guitar work... Schnelle’s playing is good enough to stand toe to toe with the likes of Phil Keaggy, who shares the fretwork with RPS on no less than five of the tracks. In fact, Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs is a real treat for anyone that enjoys good guitar solos, because there’s plenty of world-class playing! Phil and Rex are astounding guitarists and seem to effortlessly compliment each other’s soloing. All of the instrumental work is impressive, fitting well in the prog genre. In fact, it’s hard not to think of the Neal Morse Band or Cosmic Cathedral when “Cathedral of the Heart” takes off with anthemic, clean vocal harmonies and propels through the next five minutes or so with soaring, intricate guitar lines, including a neat twin harmony-run at the end. Aside from Keaggy and Eric Johnson on guitars, guests include Joseph Shackelford on violin (“Psalm 139”), Mark Douthit on sax (“Mercy”), and David Burch and Robert Wright on drums and bass, respectively (“Anthem”). When Schnelle is doing most of the instrumental work, though, he manages a very convincing musical dynamic and an energetic full band sound – a good example is the freewheeling, wild end jam on “Search Me Lord.” With all of the wonderful playing here, one doesn’t get the impression it’s being done to impress or showboat, but that it’s an honest musical expression of a passionate love of God
The original songs are full of the power of rock at its more complex strength and the lyrics are respectful and full of awe and worship but never sappy or maudlin. “We Worship You Now,” for example, is what a ‘praise and worship’ song could be when freed from the limitations of that genre. While the commercial elements of so much of that ‘modern Sunday morning’ style render the songs un-singable by a congregation but also not interesting enough to want to simply listen and enter into the spirit, this song is both singable and inspiring musically. The hymns are treated powerfully, highlighting the strength of the original melodies and treating the lyrics with respect. “Saints and Angels Song” (“O Love of God”) reintroduces the impeccable lyric to a new audience in a new setting. No ‘clanging cymbals’ here.
The bulk of the album is written or arranged by Schnelle, with “Anthem” being a Leonard Cohen cover, “Maybe That’s How God Makes the Rain,” by Tom Douglas and Chapin Hartford, and “Mercy” by Mark Douthit. With the self-produced Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs, Rex Paul Schnelle has accomplished something wonderful – a worshipful experience that you can also dig into for its musical chops.
4 tocks
Bert Saraco
You can see Bert Saraco’s concert photography at: www.facebook.com/express.image
