Twelve solo piano improvisations inspired by historic hymns of worship. Invocation (Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow) Holy, Holy, Holy Be Thou My Vision I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say When I Survey the Wondrous Cross Praise Ye the Lord, the Almighty Be Still My Soul Come Thou Fount O the Deep, Deep Love of Jesus Take My Life and Let it Be It Is Well With My Soul Benediction The teenage son of dear friends of mine was diagnosed with advanced cancer, and was facing a year of intense chemotherapy and surgeries. Grief-stricken, I sat at the piano and improvised on some favorite hymns, recording as I went, thinking that I could send these as an encouragement to the family. The emotions and prayers I experienced as I played each day were both a comfort and a catharsis to me. In the process, the more I recorded, the more I realized these might be worth sharing with a wider circle. These recordings are quite different from anything else I have created in the past. These aren't played from a dusty hymnal. Their spontaneity and "rawness", sometimes wandering, sometimes focused, reminded me of the divine conversation that prayer can be. May these recordings encourage your heart and your prayers, whatever you may be facing today. Release Date: December 16, 2022 Winner: Christian Album of the Year at Solopiano.com Nominated: Album of the Year at Solopiano.com CREDITS: • All songs in the Public Domain in the United States • All music arranged an performed by Neil Patton, except Praise Ye the Lord, the Almighty: Arrangement by Jeff Brock and Neil Patton • Performed, recorded, and engineered by Neil Patton September 9-18, 2021 at Patton Music Studio • Mastering: Michael Charles McDonald, synthartsstudio.com Cover concept and painting by Neil Patton • Graphics production: Tim Yost • Package photography by Neil & Cathy Patton It's been four years since Neil Patton released his Solitaire album, so to say his new release, Holy Ground, was highly anticipated is very much an understatement! Those who are familiar with Neil's music know that he has the playing chops to express whatever he chooses at the piano, but these improvisations come straight from the heart and overflow with Neil's faith as well as his humanity. I see I have used the word "heart" many times in this review, and that really says it all. I give it my highest recommendation. Kathy Parsons, MainlyPiano.com
