Some of the best selections to hear, in my opinion, on or around Easter, in no particular order:
1. Christ The Lord Is Risen Today-St. Michael's Singers
(Of all the selections on this list, this conjures up the most memories of standing for the opening hymn in church. Over time, this became my favorite hymn.)
2. Gift Of Finest Wheat-Thomas Jones
(A piano rendition of another hymn that came up often during Mass when I was younger.)
3. Rock Of Ages-The Mills Brothers
(Any of the selections on the "Hymns We Love" CD are worth hearing, but "Rock Of Ages" stands out.)
4. Were You There?-Themba Girls and Erin Bode
(An effective pairing sings a rendition of a hymn that provides reassurance after the Crucifixion.)
5. Amazing Grace/Down By The Riverside/Amen-The Neville Brothers
(Spirited live renditions of three hymns in a medley "for the Easter weekend," as the intro states.)
6. Lift Every Voice And Sing-The Harmonizing Four
(Of all the days in the year to "lift every voice and sing," Easter is one of the most appropriate days.)
7. Day By Day-"Godspell" cast featuring Robin Lamont
(Still a standout from the movie, as Lamont's voice shines. If Carole King recorded religious music, it might sound like this. "Save The People," "All Good Gifts," and "Bless The Lord" are other highlights.)
8. Get Away, Jordan-Take 6
(From the group's excellent self-titled debut release; there's no shortage of outstanding work on the album, but the vocal ranges conquered successfully on "Get Away, Jordan" make it a standout. "Gold Mine" is another strong selection from the album.)
9. Christian Automobile-Sons Of Andros
(From the Bahamas, this is an effective metaphor comparing tuning up one's faith to tuning up a car.)
10. Oh Happy Day-Edwin Hawkins Singers
(The choir doesn't hold back, and its commitment to the lyrics has to be one of the reasons this selection has stood the test of time.)
To anyone attending an Easter service or Mass this weekend, I offer this memory from childhood: When I attended Mass at a Hungarian church, the priest began his sermon, in English, "Easter...What is the meaning of this feast?" He answered this question and continued the rest of the sermon in Hungarian, which I don't speak. "I guess I'll have to look up the answer when I get home," I thought. I still think that was an interesting time to switch languages. It might have been interesting if that same approach had been taken with the hymns.
