Roy Webb

Timeless
Lari Goss

“Timeless” is a collection of well-known hymns spotlighting the piano talents of Roy Webb.

“Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee” is a midtempo arrangement with syncopated rhythms and backing vocals blending to create a Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir essence. “Old Rugged Cross” offers a quiet change of pace featuring piano only. There’s an extended pause as the final note fades before we’re launched into the “William Tell Overture.” This turns into “Old Time Religion” after an introductory fanfare with themes from the overture returning here and there throughout the piece.

“Come Thou Fount” is combined with “There Is a Fountain,” featuring the string section for a smoother arrangement than previous orchestrated tracks. I would have preferred to hear more piano out front with fewer vocals on this CD. These hymns are so familiar that listeners can already hear the words in their heads without added prompting. Overall “Timeless” is a fine sounding CD — just as you should expect from any Webb/Goss collaboration.

(By David Bruce Murray)