MISSION
STATEMENT:
"My hope is that
I can reach people with the message of Jesus through my music. I wrote these songs
more from a perspective of getting listeners to examine what they believe and
why."
"Today, I am focused
on writing contemporary Christian music and it has given me the most satisfaction
of anything I have ever done. Just knowing that God has empowered me to do this
work is an awesome responsibility. I do not take it lightly."
"This society in which we live is a disaster area. There are so many lost
souls and they don't even realize they are lost. That is the part that really
drives me. I often wonder.. Maybe all these years of recording, playing, and
more playing will eventually bring 1 person to Christ. I may not even know it
until I get to heaven and meet them. It's an exciting thought. I really want people
to know and understand who Jesus is, and what he means."
Bob
Hughes
REVIEW OF PRAISE IN HYMN
Bob
Hughes is an up and coming songwriter and lyricist, a musician called by the Lord
to be in a music ministry, under the steam of the Holy Spirit.
When empowered by the Holy Spirit, it is truly amazing what a single, talented
individual, using his musical gifts the Lord blessed him with, and his ability
to write lyrical messages can accomplish in a music ministry for Jesus Christ,
on a shoestring budget, without a record label or even with a "professional"
mixer and producer.
Bob Hughes has a music
ministry for the Lord, which he faithfully continues through his songs and albums,
all self-made by depending on the Lord for inspiration, for his creative flow
and the perseverance and stamina needed to finish the tasks involved in the song
writing, the recording of all the instrument parts, played by himself, and mixing
of all the tracks, into compositions which don't sound over produced, and are
interesting to listen to and absorb.
So far,
this one man band has created 7 albums in this manner: Seasons Of Life * Praise
In Hymn * Savior Soul * Know
Notion * World * Perception * Impressions. Each
has its own general theme, which is so nicely expressed within the collection
of songs presented in each album.
This
review is exploring Praise In Hymn CD, which offers a lot to the listener, sure to encourage the believer and point the
seeker to our Lord Jesus Christ. Anthems,
ballads, and prayer hymns found in this collection of songs can
be described as being acoustic based, boosted with a large but not overwhelming
blend of keyboard, drum / percussion and sythns tracks, making the finished accompaniment
very full in sound, in the style of the contemporary anthem, praise and worship
songs usually heard on established Christian music radio, but on a more simple
yet balanced level.
While the combined musical
accompaniment sound does work very nicely in supporting
the variety of inspiring contagious melodies, and Bob's heartfelt, sincere vocals,
the strength and most outstanding and admired aspects of these personal ballads,
prayer hymns and anthems can be found in each of the songs' memorable melodies
and meaningful lyrics, which showcase Bob's strongest musical gifts and talents:
Creating moving, interesting melodies, and pairing these tunes with the perfect,
expressive lyrics to express the desired message
of each overall theme expressed in his albums, especially Praise
In Hymn.
Others have also discovered
Bob Hughes' gifts as a songwriter and lyricist. He was accepted recently into
the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers, ASCAP, and just recently
has begun to work with for Paramount /Nashville Records, as a songwriter.
Bob
Hughes' heartfelt testimony and statement of faith can be found flowing through
the themes of these 7 songs found on Praise In Hymn;
encouraging the listener to open one's heart to Jesus, spend time with Him, trust
and depend on the Lord and think about the legacy we will leave here when we leave
this life.
PRAISE IN HYMN begins by exploring
the blessings of being a believer:
Able
to be with and talk to the Lord in this world for inner peace, strength, and for
inspiration in doing what He asks of us, if we take the time to do so.
STEPPED
OUTSIDE - Composition: Acoustic guitar begins in the introduction
as melody intro and establishing the easy beat of this song, with strings offering
a delicate counter melody which also supports the tune, throughout the song. Two
guitar tracks (acoustic & electric) can be heard throughout the song if one
listens intently, offering fine support for the catchy melody and interesting
support melodies as well.
Lyrical
Message: A ballad about a special place in his mind where Bob goes to restore
his soul and let in peace by stepping outside of this world's concerns and busy
schedules and winding up outside of it all, into the realm of God's world, enjoying
the simple yet comforting aspects of nature, and feels the presence of the Lord.
This place stimulates his musical gifts and the lyrical messages.
Lyrical
Example: Stepped outside the other
day / Sat beneath my favorite tree / Strumming on acoustic guitar / Creating a
song for you / Stepped outside with my best old friend / Release soul and mind
/ Sound of music, nature's kind / whoa, It feels good to be alive / /
Sky is blue and the air is sweet / Wind is dancing on the leaves / Sun is shining
upon my face / Relax my very soul.
Blessings
and the responsibilities which come with them.....
Bob
Hughes commented, "My favorite songs are CHILDHOOD DAYS, LEGACY, and LET GO
LET GOD. I wrote these songs more from a perspective of getting listeners to examine
what they believe and why. CHILDHOOD DAYS and LEGACY are 'Companion Songs.'
The songs were not really written from an experience point of view, although with
childhood days, I visually saw the lyrics."
* CHILDHOOD DAYS - Composition: This irresistible ballad begins with a driving ensemble of guitars, with light,
underlying string, sythns, and piano work, both supporting the chordal structure
of the melody. Full sound of guitar ensemble offers rhythm, melody, and counter
melody support. It all cooks along splendidly, becoming a most effective musical
vehicle for one of this reviewer's absolute favorite songs on the CD.
Lyrical
Message: About A father's time spent with a young son, covering two generations,
ending with the comforting fact for believers: "He
will keep us all together / As we live forever and ever / He will give us our
childhood days / We'll will have them again / We will love our childhood days
/ As we spend them with Him // This will
be your legacy / This will be their memory / Did you pass on the word / About
Jesus Christ our Lord / Did you pass on the word / About Jesus Christ our Lord."
Give testimony
who Jesus Christ is, what he did for us and how much he loves us.
* HE LOVES US SO - Composition -
This moving, worship anthem is written in a minor key, during the verses and most
of Chorus 1, though the tune segues completely into a major key for the second
part of Chorus 2, reflecting the good news of the love of Jesus. Composition offers
a memorable, moving melody with vocals from the heart and Spirit, which will have
the listener singing along , especially during Chorus 2! Nice contrast between
moving, broken chord acoustic guitars and lovely string sythns, which provide
underlying support. One hears some very nice acoustic guitar parts, and a pumping
bass as well (with no problems with syncopation), and steady, peppy drums keeping
the tempo steady! An inspiring worship anthem sure to find a home in any contemporary
service!
Another one of this reviewer's
absolute favorites!
Lyrical message: One of Bob's best efforts on this CD. A Testimony
about Jesus Christ, who became our sin offering on a cross out of his love for
us. The extent of the Hope and love of Jesus Christ that is available to us is
fully expressed in meaningful, well put together lyrics, offering Christ as the
source which will see us through any troubles or disasters found in this world.
Encourages us to open our hearts to His Spirit, as our Lord and Savior
Developing
a relationship with Him, through trust and faith, depending on the Holy Spirit.
LET GO LET GOD - Composition: Bright acoustic based anthem, with a healthy portion of sythns. providing
chord support for melody. Easy 2 beat tempo, keeps this song breezing along, propelled
by acoustic forces (rhythm, melody, and counter melody) and a delightfully bluesy
/ jazzy counter melody played softly by piano during the verses. Would love to
hear this song performed live!
Lyrical
message: Trusting the Lord enough
to let God take us by the hand, having faith that he will lead us on through the
hills and valleys and the bumps in our road through life.
Let
Go / And Let God / Take you by the hand / Let Go / And Let God / Give you the
promised land / Let Go / and Let God / Surround you with His love / Let Go and
Let God / Take you by the hand.
So
many things can grip our lives / Freeze us in our tracks / Minds can race too
quickly now / And bring out all our fears / Thoughts driven by panic / Down a
road that won't come back / So We must see / We turn around and know that God
is near.
TIME FOREVER - Composition: Stirring, energetic worship anthem composed in a minor key, which
would find a home in any contemporary worship service. Nice blend of piano, guitar,
and string sythns, each with a different voice to add to the musical blend, which
so richly offers strong support for the memorable inspiring melody and for the
heartfelt dynamic vocals, resulting in a stirring presentation. The listener is
lifted up into a state of worship, singing along in the Spirit!
A strong favorite of this reviewer.
Lyrical
message: A testimony to God's love
and our loving Savior, Jesus. We must prepare our hearts for Jesus, to be open
to the Spirit. Perfect worship song for an audience participation event. Refrain
is catchy yet simple enough to remember.
You
can believe that God / Is the God of all time / God is love And love is on His
mind / We can trust in God, and open our hearts / We will be so close / That we
shall not part /We only get one time to go through this life / Prepare your heart
and soul for Jesus Christ / Before we knew of time / Our Father knew His plan
/ His son would be redeeming all of man.
Refrain:
Time forever is eternity together / Time forever with our Lord.
THREE IN ONE - Composition: A lively prayer
hymn, with a great melody, propelled by a full sounding, driving acoustic guitar
ensemble, with some sythns support. Lovely harmony as well as strong vocals, throughout
the song.
A strong favorite of
this reviewer.
Lyrical message: Asking the Lord for His will, His guidance, His
strength, and for courage in stepping out in faith, followed up by a statement
of faith in the chorus, celebrating the existence of the Holy Trinity - Father,
Son, and Holy Spirit.
We
are children in Your eyes / And Your love is no surprise / Help me to step in
faith / For you shall guide my path / Help me to walk in faith / For you shall
clear the way.
Three
in one / One in three / Holy Trinity! / Three in one / And one in three / In this
I believe.
Bob Hughes is a gifted, Spirit-filled
songwriter and composer, who makes the most of his talents to create songs which
truly encourage and uplift both the believer and seeker, by expressing who Jesus
is and what it means to belong to Him, have a relationship with Him, offering
the hope and love we can depend on in our struggles here on earth, and in using
our gifts to promote the Gospel.
His uncanny
knack and ability through the Holy Spirit to bring a song alive with meaningful,
clever lyrics and a full, supportive accompaniment is fully evident in every song
found in PRAISE IN HYMN, and I highly recommend this CD for your Christian music
collection. He is a tremendous blessing to his church family, his internet community,
and some day to the Christian music community and the world; All in God's time.
Individual
Song Evaluations / Bob's Comments / Ratings / Scriptural References
Lyrics
are copyrighted and printed by permission only.
* * * * + STEPPED OUTSIDE - Bob's
Comments: "I wrote the song
and projected myself under that special tree. In my mind I felt the breeze and
smelled the sweet air of summer and beheld God's creation. I heard the birds singing
the melody. My idea on the song is to inspire a person to seek this special place
on their own as they pursue the will of God. It does parallel my walk with God
as I pursue his will through music, but I never did have a specific 'tree' in
mind. The 'favorite tree' is the tree of life God has promised us. In the verse
where I 'stepped outside with my best old friend' I am projecting my walk with
Jesus and we are talking about everything, just as best friends do. In this conversation
I place everything in my heart, soul, and mind into his hands and life with him
is good. In this song, I am projecting the creation of a song as the gift I have
received that God wants me to use for his kingdom. For the listener, their own
special gift takes the place of the "acoustic guitar."
Scriptural
References: (John 15:16, James 1:17, Matt. 11:28-30, 1 Peter 4:11, 1 John 3:19-21)
Lyrics:
Stepped
outside the other day / Sat beneath the shady tree / Strumming on acoustic guitar
/ Birds are singing melody. / /
Chorus:
Sky is blue and the air is sweet / Wind is dancing on the leaves / Sun is shining
upon my face / Relax my very soul. //
Stepped
outside with my best old friend / Release soul and mind / Sound of music, nature's
kind / whoa, It feels good to be alive /
Chorus:
Sky is blue and the air is sweet / Wind is dancing on the leaves / Sun is shining
upon my face / Relax my very soul. /
Stepped
outside the other day / Sat beneath my favorite tree / Strumming on acoustic guitar
/ Creating a song for you. //
Chorus:
Sky is blue and the air is sweet / Wind is dancing on the leaves / Sun is shining
upon my face / Relax my very soul. /
Stepped
outside the other day / Stepped outside to free my mind / Stepped outside into
the light / Stepped outside to realize. ///
*
* * * + + CHILDHOOD DAYS - Bob's Comments: "I wrote this song in about 15
minutes one day when I was home alone with my son. We were in the living room
and he was playing and building with his Legos. As I was watching him, the words
just started to flow. It outlines his childhood days, the memories I have of my
childhood days, and the fact that we will all get our childhood days back again
when we are home in heaven with Jesus."
Scriptural
References: (Proverbs 22:6, Luke
10:27, John 14:8, Ephesians 4:2-3 & 6:10-17, Is. 28:16)
Lyrics:
Do
you / Remember when / You were / Just a kid? / Oh yes, I remember when / I was
/ Just a kid / How far / That I can ride / Down to / The corner store / Bought
some candy / for a nickel / Whoa, those days gone for sure. /
I
remember my childhood days / I see them in you / I love my childhood days / My
son, I love you. //
I
remember / Me and Dad / Playing ball in the big backyard / Laughin' / running
a race / Whoa, he chased me all over the place / Now that / Its you and me, laughin'
/ and grunion' free / One thing I know its true / I have seen God's face in you.
//
I remember my childhood
days / I see them in you / I love my childhood days / My son, I love you. //
Now
that / You are getting older / There is one thing / you need to know / Love Jesus
in all your ways / Talk to Him / On every day / Trust God your Father Almighty
/ For you know his Words are true / He will keep us all together / As we live
forever and ever / He will give us our childhood days / We'll will have them again
/ We will love our childhood days / As we spend them with Him. //
I
remember my childhood days / I see them in you / I love my childhood days / My
son, I love you. // Repeat
* * * * + + HE LOVES US SO - Bob's Comments:" This song realizes the fact that God loves us without exception and gave his
son to die for our salvation. It can't be any more direct than that."
Scriptural
References: (John 3:16, 1 John 4:19, Hebrews 6:19-20, Romans 8:31& 38, Ephes.
3:16, Joshua 1:9)
Lyrics:
Last
night / I prayed to God / For the world to settle down / See the beauty that You've
made / For us to share in every day / Many people / do not know / That your son,
He died for us / Took our sin / Paid our debts / Because You weren't done loving
us yet. //
Chorus 1: My
brother don't you fear / My sister, don't you cry / Lord God Almighty / Is by
your side / For I know He loves us so. //
When
you feel / Down and hopeless / That is when He holds you close / Sees the tears
/ That you shed / He hears the prayers that you said / In His grace, we get the
power / To overcome our darkest hour / Climb the mountains / That we face / Run
the race in His grace. //
Chorus
2: My brother, don't you fear / My sister, don't you cry / Lord God Almighty /
Is by your side / For I know He loves us so / Oh
You know He loves us so / That he gave his only Son / For You know He loves us
so / That he gave his only Son. /
Let
the spirits live within you / heart, soul, body and mind / Open up / to the Father
/ And His Son / the King Most High / Jesus Christ will restore/ your eternal life
/ His blood Devine / Hung on the wooden cross / so you and I MAY never die. //
Chorus
2: My brother don't you fear / My sister, don't you cry / Lord God Almighty /
Is by your side / For I know He loves us so / For You know He loves us so / That he gave his only Son / For we know He loves
us so / That he gave his only Son. //
*
* * * + + TIME FOREVER - Bob's Comments: "I wrote this song to emphasize that we have to and must prepare our hearts for
Jesus. We are going to spend somewhere in eternity. It is my hope that this song
and the others touch people and make them sit back and examine their beliefs and
what they expect when they move on from this world."
Scriptural
References: (Is 1:18, Romans 6:33, John 14:2, Romans 12:2, Ephesians 4:22,
1 Thess. 5:1-2 & 5:8)
Lyrics:
We only get one time
to go through this life / Prepare your heart and soul for Jesus Christ / Before
we knew of time / Our Father knew His plan / His son would be redeeming all of
man. //
Refrain: Time
forever is eternity together / Time forever with our Lord. //
You
can believe that God / Is the God of all time / God is love And love is on His
mind / We can trust in God, and open our hearts / We will be so close / That we
shall not part. /
Refrain:
Time forever is eternity together / Time forever with our Lord. //
I
believe in God with my heart and my soul / And His Son prepares a home for me
/ Joyful is my heart / I have seen His light / Shining down on us for all to see.
//
Refrain: Time forever
is eternity together / Time forever with our Lord.//
We
only get one time to go through this life / Prepare your heart and soul for Jesus
Christ / Before we knew of time / Our Father knew His plan / His son would be
redeeming all of man.//
Refrain:
Time forever is eternity together / Time forever with our Lord.//
We
only get one time to go through this life./
*
* * * + THREE IN ONE - Bob's Comments: "I wrote this song to proclaim my belief in God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. They
are three in one, and one in three."
Scriptural
References: (Phil. 4:6-8, Romans
15:13, Psalm 54:4 119:105, Luke 10:27)
Lyrics:
Intro:
Three in one / Three in one.
Three
in one / And one in three / Holy Trinity! / Three in one / And one in three /
In this I believe.
Well
you know I need to find / The will of God for my life / Please Father, help me
see / Your Holy mystery./
Please
Father, bring to me / Your holy mystery./
Three
in one / One in three / Holy Trinity! / Three in one / one in three / In this
I believe.
There are times
I feel alone / Need your strength holdin' me / Please Father be with me / Take
my hand let me see / Please Father walk with me / Take my hand and carry me.//
Three
in one / And one in three / Holy Trinity! / Three in one / And one in three /
In this I believe.
We
are children in Your eyes / And Your love is no surprise / Help me to step in
faith / For you shall guide my path / Help me to walk in faith / For you shall
clear the way.//
Three
in one / One in three / Holy Trinity! / Three in one / And one in three / In this
I believe.
Well you know
I need to find / The will of God for my life / Please Father, help me see / Your
holy mystery./
Please
Father, bring to me / Your holy Trinity./
Three
in one! /
* * * * + LET GO LET
GOD - Bob's Comments: "This
song is about letting go of our fears and our worries and placing all our trust
in God. It is sometimes very difficult to do since this culture strives to make
you believe you are your own God."
Scriptural
References: (Psalm 37:5 & 56:3, 1 Peter 5:7, Phil. 4:13, Chronicles 16:11,
Romans 8:28)
Lyrics:
Let
Go / And Let God / Take you by the hand / Let Go / And Let God / Give you the
promised land / Let Go / and Let God / Surround you with His love / Let Go and
Let God / Take you by the hand.//
So
many things can grip our lives / Freeze us in our tracks / Minds can race too
quickly now / And bring out all our fears / Thoughts driven by panic / Down a
road that won't come back / So We must see / We turn around and know that God
is near./
Let Go / And
Let God / Take you by the hand / Let Go / And Let God / Give you the promised
land / Let Go / and Let God / Surround you with his love / Let Go and Let God
/ Take you by the hand.//
Realize
and understand / This life is just a test / Answer to the question is / believe
in Jesus Christ / God so dearly loved the world, He gave his only son / Live in
peace / Show us how / Love unites as one.//
Let
Go / And Let God / Take you by the hand / Let Go / And Let God / Give you the
promised land / Let Go / and Let God / Surround you with his love / Let Go and
Let God / Take you by the hand.//
We
will stand before the Lord / Give an accounting for our lives / We should know
/ that our hearts / Will reap what we sow / As you listen to His Words / Let God's
Spirit grow / You will find his love and peace / Guide you down the road.
Let
Go / And Let God / Take you by the hand / Let Go / And Let God / Give you the
promised land / Let Go / and Let God / Surround you with his love / Let Go and
Let God / Take you by the hand./ Repeat
* * * * + LEGACY - Bob's
Comments: "This song is about what we want our legacy to be. So many
people are just concerned with how much they accumulate and who is going to get
it when they are gone. The reality of life is that our legacy must be one of passing
on the word of Jesus. That is the only legacy that will count when it is time
to account for our lives."
Scriptural
References: (Matt: 6:21, 1 John 2:15-16,
Acts 1:8, John 1:8, Phil. 2:14-16, Luke 24:25)
Lyrics:
What
is your legacy? / What will you leave behind?/ I'm not talkin' material / That
stuff just fades away / When you're gone / Lives move on / People will remember
you / From the time / That you spent / With the ones / That you love.//
This
will be your legacy / This will be their memory / Did you pass on the word / About
Jesus Christ the Lord / Did you pass on the word / About Jesus Christ the Lord.//
Who is your legacy?
What do your children believe? / Get down / On your knees / Pray with them to
God above / Give them all of your love / And the wisdom of God's Word / And you
will see as they grow / And become children of God.///
This
will be your legacy / This will be their memory / Did you pass on the word / About
Jesus Christ our Lord / Did you pass on the word / About Jesus Christ our Lord./
What will / your legacy
/ Tell the world / Of your life? / Will you leave to all of them / Witness / to
Jesus Christ / We have to realize / that God calls every one of us / Tell the
story of HIS Son / And through Him / We are one.//
This
will be your legacy / This will be their memory / Did you pass / on the Word /
About Jesus Christ the Lord / Did you pass on the word / About Jesus Christ the
Lord./
Tag: What is
your legacy? / What will you leave behind?/
Reviewed
by Julie Carr for ChristianMusic.com
Listen
to Bob Hughes' music, especially his newest albums, Seasons of Life & Praise in Hymn, and buy his CDs by visiting: BobHughesMusic.com