Search - Jonn Serrie :: Epiphany: Meditations on Sacred Hymns

Awe Inspiring! Simply Beautiful!

Christopher E. Brown | Alpharetta, GA USA | 03/30/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Epiphany...what a great title! I am not big on using fancy words to describe what I hear nor do claim to be a great writer/reviewer, but here is what I have to say about Jonn's latest creation. I am a fan of Jonn's and have been for many years. I love his space music CDs such as TINGRI, FLIGHTPATH, IXLANDIA, etc., but now that I have had a chance to get my hands on a copy of EPIPHANY, I have to say that I am pleasantly surprised! It is absolutely Heavenly!



I remember singing these hymns as a child and teenager in the church I grew up in and I remember thinking how great they were WITH words. EPIPHANY doesn't needs words to be beautiful. Jonn has done an amazing job with these sacred hymns that I feel he has captured the real essence of each of them. Each track gives me a new reflection on the beauty of these hymns. I can't stop listening to them. If you slap on a pair of headphones, they are even better! Trust me! Buy this CD and take a real close listen to it. You will see, no hear, what I mean. Very moving. While I listen, I feel as if I am in the company of Angels. So serene, so comforting, so peaceful!



Each track draws on different emotions starting with JESU, JOY OF MAN'S DESIRING. This track brings back memories of joyous Christmases long ago as a child and being with my family as well as the wonderful joining of my soul mate and I in Holy Matrimony 17 years ago. SOFTLY AND TENDERLY JESUS IS CALLING, NEARER MY GOD TO THEE and O MAGNUM MYSTERIUM create a sense of comfort, joy and peace. While BE STILL MY SOUL, ABIDE WITH ME and PRAISE THE LORD, THE ALMIGHTY inspire the Spirit within. Oh, I can't forget the ever popular AMAZING GRACE. You have to listen to this one in its entirety to feel its powerful message. Simply beautiful! By far the best version I have ever heard. Jonn incorporates his traditional spacey sound as well, but offers even better ambiance with the lulling sounds of the ocean after AMAZING GRACE. It flows well into the rest of the CD. It brings to mind one of my favorite poems, FOOTPRINTS and in that, I find strength and comfort. There is also a track that Jonn wrote just for this CD. It is entitled LIGHT OF THY COUNTENANCE and let me tell you, it is enveloping. You have to get this CD to understand the power of Jonn's music.



In conclusion, this is a must have CD. Full of inspiration. Jonn still has his signature space music sound intertwined with beautiful waves of chords and melodies. If you listen closely to the very end of the last track, O MAGNUM MYSTERIUM, you can hear the church organ fading in the background. Jonn used to play the organ a few years back and I thought it was a great way to end the album...fading into and out of the sound of one of the greatest sounding keyboards ever played. A personal touch, I think, that ties it all together. After all, the church organ IS the original 'voice' of these and other great sacred hymns and Jonn has taken them to the next level as only he can. I really don't know how anyone could not like this CD. If you like his Christmas CDs, you will love this one. Great CD Jonn!"

Good, but not his best stuff.

Kevin | Indianapolis | 11/09/2006

(3 out of 5 stars)

"I am a HUGE Jonn Serrie fan and own most of his CDs. His music always takes me some place wonderful. I was really looking forward to Epiphany and the anticipated spiritual journey. I must admit, however, that this CD just doesn't do much for me. The covers of familiar hymns seem very formulaic (slow it down and blow air into it), and not very inspired or creative. My favorite song on the CD is the one Serrie wrote (Light of Thy Countenance). Fortunately the CD ends with the best two songs, which comprise roughly a third of the playing time."