Jesusfreakhideout.com Music News, November 2011: LEIGH NASH RELEASES HYMNS & SACRED SONGS TODAY AMIDST ACCLAIM

LEIGH NASH RELEASES HYMNS & SACRED SONGS TODAY AMIDST ACCLAIM

Critics Call The Album “Flawless,” “Masterpiece,” “Creative,” “Heavenly,’ “Powerful,” “Celebratory,” “Exceptional,” “Magnificent,” “Angelic”

NEWS SOURCE: Hoganson Media
November 15, 2011

The dynamic, angelic-voiced lead singer of platinum-selling pop group Sixpence None the Richer, Leigh Nash, releases her first solo album in five years, Hymns & Sacred Songs, today amidst widespread acclaim. The first of three new albums from Nash on Kingsway, these songs are a combination of fresh, newly written hymns alongside songs that have reverberated across generations, giving a voice to the faithful around the world. The timeless lyrics of hymns by Charles Wesley, Fanny Crosby and other writers of old, have been given fresh life with Nash singing and writing newly inspired melodies.

Here is how the critics are responding to Hymns & Sacred Songs:

“Leigh Nash has taken 12 beloved hymns (both old and new) and modernized them for today…A variety of instruments, balanced perfectly with the pure sound of her voice…The end result is both compelling and magnificent…Leigh Nash truly celebrates Jesus on Hymns & Sacred Songs and graciously invites us, the listeners, to the party.” – About.com

“Plenty of indie pop reinstates her Sixpence senses…the charm of Nash’s wispy lilt set to this rich song catalog is undeniable.” – CCM

“Nash brings the songs to life…The songs come off as reverent but celebratory and I’m gonna go out on a limb and suggest that Nash has reminded the world that first and foremost these are great songs that stand the test of time… Nash’s voice is spot on, fluttering in all the right spots and offering ample evidence that she has evolved in one of music’s most unique voices.” – Colossal Pop

“These songs can only be described as vintage; they are nothing short of exquisite. Nash pays homage to her roots beautifully and ushers in a rare, reverential experience through these dozen songs in a potent way.” – Crosswalk.com

“Many a person has wondered what the music of Heaven will resemble…on this side of Heaven fans of Leigh Nash will no doubt agree that her unmistakable vocals have danced the celestial line of angelic. With that Heaven-focused mindset, Leigh Nash is offering a worship album of Hymns and Sacred Songs, featuring her own expression of admiration to the One who saved us…some of the greatest versions of the hymns to date.” – JesusFreakHideout.com

“Hymns & Sacred Songs offers an exceptional set of classic hymns, re-written with fresh new melodies and modern arrangements…If you have always enjoyed her vocals, then pick up this collection of worshipful songs immediately.” – NewReleaseTuesday.com

“It’s the simplicity of the creative music, which has a full tone and clever chords, that stirs something inside…adding on top of that the beautiful sounding voice of Leigh and you start to hear these songs sung with not just feeling, but purpose. This isn't just a singer going through the motions, Leigh pushes her voice from within to convey in a powerful way what the songs sing about, the Glory and Majesty of God.” – LouderThanTheMusic.com (5-star review)

“Nash gives some classic hymns new melodies – a creatively gutsy move that works, works, works…You don’t have to follow Christian music to be charmed by this record; its melodies are oh-so singable, and Nash is delightfully luminous.” – Music News Nashville

“Technically, the album is a masterpiece. The music itself is flawless…There is an undeniable sense of unity and harmony…Her voice is distinctive, instantly recognizable as the voice of the wildly successful Sixpence None the Richer. And in Hymns & Sacred Songs, you get the best of both worlds: fantastic vocals put to life-changing truths.” – The Christian Manifesto

“The timeless lyrics of hymns by Charles Wesley, Fanny Crosby, Dorothy A. Thrupp, Robert Robinson and Katherina A. von Schlegel have been given new life by Nash.” – CBA Retailers & Resources

“Avoiding the often maudlin trappings, bombast, and antiseptic lushness that so often hide the simple beauty of these classics, and scare away those looking for some substance, Hymns & Sacred Songs… is infused with sincerity and even a kind of sweetness. This one is good to have in your collection…One of the wonderful things about Nash’s approach to these songs is that she manages to be reverent without being sterile and lifeless.” – The Phantom Tollbooth

“Hymns & Sacred Songs is a solid collection of tunes that will help a new generation realize just how full of life and truth these older songs can sound like with a fresh twist on them.” – ChristianMusicZine.com

“The glorious hymns, Leigh’s angelic vocals, plus the serene music and melodies combine to form a beautiful and heavenly project!” – Jay’s Musik Blog

“Leigh Nash fans are in for a special treat!…Every song in this project makes a great addition to any worship music library and Sunday Setlists.” – TheWorshipCommunity.com

“…I like her versions of just about all of these songs more than the originals.” – ChristianMusicReviewBlog.com

Produced by John Hartley (Rebecca St. James, Matt Redman, Stuart Townend), Hymns & Sacred Songs was recorded and mixed by Derri Daugherty (Jeremy Camp, Leeland, The Choir) who also produced Sixpence None the Richer’s Dawn of Grace (2008). With additional recording by Stephen Leiweke (Rita Springer, Chris Sligh, MIKESCHAIR) and mixing by Shane Wilson (Switchfoot, Newsboys, Passion), the album also features Stu G (Delirious?, Casting Crowns, Michael W. Smith) on guitar, Paul Mabury (Hillsong, Steven Curtis Chapman, Brandon Heath) on drums, Matt Stanfield (Mandisa, Britt Nicole, Plumb) on keys and Chris Donahue on bass.

“I am so very thankful for the opportunity to sing these words and even get to infuse some of them with new melodies,” says Leigh Nash. “It is a gift above any I can presently think of, to sing to my God! The musicians, producer and engineers are all so gifted and the songs so rich in word and melody that my feet were dancing and my heart was constantly lifted throughout the recording of this record! I pray you will have the same symptoms!”

Leigh Nash has been performing since her high school days growing up in New Braunfels, TX. It was there that she met guitarist Matt Slocum and Sixpence came to fruition. Following four album releases, multiple Dove Awards, a GRAMMY nomination and the great success of their hit singles “Kiss Me,” “There She Goes” and “Breathe Your Name,” the band took a hiatus in 2004. Leigh took this time to release a solo record entitled Blue on Blue and a Christmas album Wishing For This, both in 2006, as well as collaborated with members of Delerium for the album, Fauxliage (2007). In 2008, Nash and Slocum reunited as Sixpence None the Richer to record Dawn of Grace, a holiday album fans had long requested. Last year, Leigh lent her voice on projects by Amy Grant, Jars of Clay, Matthew West and others.

More information on Leigh Nash can be found at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Leigh-Bingham-Nash/252060974808213, http://www.myspace.com/leighnash and www.kingswayworship.com.

About Kingsway:
Tracing its music heritage to 1969, Kingsway today is known as a leader in Worship Music. As the creator of Thank You Music, and later in partnership with EMI, its catalogue includes songs such as “Here I Am to Worship,” “In Christ Alone,” “Everlasting God” and “Blessed Be Your Name” to name a few.

Kingsway’s songs are sung in more than 300,000 churches worldwide accounting for over 30% of CCLI’s (Church Copyright Licensing International) bestseller list. With writers and artists like Tim Hughes, Matt Redman, Delirious?, Graham Kendrick and Stuart Townend, Kingsway is dedicated to feeding the Church with songs that will change the world. As part of David C Cook, a non-profit organization located in Colorado Springs, CO, a significant portion of the profits that Kingsway and David C Cook generate are used to provide discipleship and music materials free of charge to church leaders in developing parts of the world who wouldn’t be able to get them any other way. (www.kingswayworship.com)

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For more info on Leigh Nash visit the JFH Artists Database.