Blessed Assurance
Self-Released, 2019
8/10
This 5th album from the composer, arranger and pianist Sheldon Pickering has the artist reworking 8 classic hymns while holding down keys, as guitars, violin, strings and percussion are handled by Ryan Tilby and Aaron Ashton.
The title track opens the listen with sublime keys from Pickering as gentle guitars and strings complement the affair, and “Swing Low” follows with much jazz influence in the highly rhythmic affair.
Further along, “Be Though My Vision” adds plenty of soul and emotion to the dynamic album highlight, while “I Need Thee Every Hour” finds the listen entering gospel territory with much thoughtful beauty.
Near the end, “Poor Wayfaring Stranger” soars with breezy melody and a tint of a haunting quality, and “Take Time To Be Holy” exits with a calming, meditative quality that could sooth anyone’s anxieties.
While there certainly are jazz and classical influences to be found here, there’s also New Age nods, as Pickering and company deliver an engaging and fascinating instrumental record.
Travels well with: Bill Evans- Undercurrent; Eliane Rodrigues- The Gershwin & Bernstein Connection