Album Reviews
Movie Reviews
Concert Reviews

Top 10
Resources
Time Wasters
Contact Us

Fernando Ortega has received Dove nominations since 1998. One can see why. This versatile lyricist/singer has a knack for taking traditional hymns and utilizing them for solo voice and chamber music-style accompaniment. This adds a classical touch to hymns such as “I Heard The Voice of Jesus Say,” which, here, is all instrumental. Ortega has a comfortable style of singing and the entire CD is an encouragement to worship.

On five of the selections, Ortega takes Biblical Scripture and adds harmonic accompaniment. The stand-outs are the first track, “Grace and Peace"  (2 Thessalonians. 1:2) which is the beginning of lyrical piano accompaniment, through “Let The Words of My Mouth” (Psalm 19:14) then “Come, Let Us Worship” (Psalm 95: 6-7).  “Come, Let Us Worship”  is done in Spanish guitar mode which adds greatly to this piece.

Taking familiar hymns, Ortega blends the lyrics with arrangements including violin and percussion. On “All Creatures of Our God and Lord”, violins are in harmony with the singer. “Great Is Thy Faithfulness” has added percussion. “I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say” is all instrumental with warm keyboard and “There Is Power In the Blood” is accomplished in rousing revival style. “Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us” begins with cello and there is an added track after the end of this selection. It is the “Doxology,” done with keyboard, simple and complete.

Fernando Ortega is an accomplished lyricist with a knack for adapting Scripture for his work. The listener can both understand and hear the words to the songs and the accompaniment is just that, accompaniment and not overpowering. It is a partnership. The invitation is here. Come and enjoy.

Copyright 2006 Marie Asner
Submitted 10/26/06