Published on May 27, 1999
What do you get when you combine ageless lyrics and melodies
with a timeless voice? Heaven on earth in the solo debut of Joanna
Hogg,
Looking Into Light. Joanna, who is the voice of the Celtic
group Iona, has stepped out from that group to create an immensely
risky – as well as satisfying – album of worship music.
Looking Into Light is a collection of hymns written
centuries ago by the likes of John Newton, Isacc Watts and George
Croly. In some cases Joanna wrote new melodies for them – but the
true magic comes in the arrangements and the production and
Joanna’s breathtaking, ethereal voice.
The idea for this collection came from Joanna’s father, a
Presbyterian minister from Northern Ireland. Initially dismissed by
Joanna, she revived the idea following the sudden death of her
mother in 1997.
Borrowing heavily from Iona’s “Celtic seascape” sound (Joanna
went into a sea cave to record on a DAT recorder the sounds of the
sea used here), these hymns come alive in new and wondrous ways
while remaining true to the original hymns. I do not know how this
is possible, only that it is. The first single released from the
disc is the jubilant “My Song Is Love Unknown,” written by Samuel
Crossman with a new melody.
“My song is love unknown/My Savior’s love to me/Love to the
loveless shown/That they might lovely be/O who am I, that for my
sake/My Lord should take, frail flesh and die?/My song is love
unknown/My song is love unknown”
Other highlights include deliciously airy renditions of classic
hymns such as “Be Thou My Vision,” “O The Deep, Deep Love,” and
“When I Survey,” but the crown jewel of this collection of gems is
Croly’s “I Ask No Dream.” I’ve never heard this song before, but
the haunting melody, written by Joanna, perfectly compliments
Croly’s lyrics from 1854. The song floats around inside my head on
a gossamer breeze, rejuvenating me as it plays and replays over and
over.
“Spirit of God descend upon my heart/Wean it from Earth/Through
all its pulses move/Stoop to my weakness/Mighty as Thou art/And
make me love Thee as I ought to love/I ask no dream/No prophet
ecstasies/No sudden rending of the veil of clay/No angel
visitant/No opening skies bright/Please take the dimness of my soul
away”
There is a lot of discussion these days in the Christian music
industry over just what constitutes contemporary Christian music –
and what should constitute it. Much air is wasted over debating the
merits of this song or that song. Tempers are raised when talk
turns to counting the number of references to Jesus or God. Raging
arguments erupt over whether a band is a Christian band or a band
made up of Christians. Is it ministry or music? Or can it be
both?
Some of the discussion is valid and needs to take place, but
some of it just blatantly agenda-driven. However, I’ve always
contended that, as a Christian, I know Christian music when I hear
it – and this is Christian music at its best. Completely
traditional, yet powerfully innovative.
This disc is an amazing accomplishment. Do yourself a tremendous
favor and purchase it, play it for your friends, play it for
yourself. Worship with it and through it.