Kenny Hatcher

Walking the Old Paths

Chapel Valley

The first time I saw this record, I was sure I knew what it was going to be. Standard old hymns, performed with standard instrumentation and style. Great old songs we love, songs we’ve all heard thousands of times, always performed the same way. I was wrong.

Let’s start at track one, “Take My Hand Precious Lord.” The first thing you hear is toneful, soulful blues guitar that could make the old masters cry, immediately joined by a full horn section belting out even more bluesy goodness. Add some excellent piano, great backing vocals and finally the strong baritone of Kenny Hatcher and … Wow. This ain’t your mama’s church music. Reading the liner notes, Hatcher says, “I know they won’t sound the way you are used to hearing them, but that’s the point.” Indeed, that is the point.

As Hatcher works his way through 10 great old hymns, we’re treated to new arrangements on every familiar old song; jazzy, soulful, deliberate, always well performed and recorded. There is a definite ’50s flavor to some of these songs, but they’re all thoroughly modern.

Almost everyone is going to love this music. From Grandpa Melvin to pink-haired cousin Squeaky, there’s something here for everybody.