The Shadow of Your Wings: Hymns and Sacred Songs CD

For Fernando Ortega, Shadow of Your Wings is a return to his roots, offering a mixture of both hymns and new compositions with simple and thoughtful arrangements. Thirteen tracks total, including "Doxology," "Open My Eyes," "There Is Power In the Blood," and more.

Fernando Ortega is a poetic conversationalist. His songs are known to be full of wonder about everyday life and are oftentimes dressed in various sounds of folk, country, classical or pop. His new release, The Shadow of Your Wings: Hymns and Sacred Songs, however, shows a new sense of wonder for the world about him, one tied strongly to prayerful study of the Bible and devotion.

Responding to the barrage of noise and life around him, Ortega dives into scripture and liturgy to grieve the loss of loved ones and to find a fresh perspective on worship. He then sets these Bible texts and inspirations to music and writes new sacred songs with a very classical feel, using mostly voice and piano, as on the stirring “Grace and Peace” and “All Flesh Is Like the Grass.” The hymns (some ever so slightly rearranged) are part of Ortega’s journey, and he uses them methodically without sounding contrived. The new and the old become seamless and create what feels like a shadow of protection.

Produced and mixed by Ortega and Grammy®-winning engineer Gary Paczosa (Alan Jackson, Dixie Chicks), the project is further enhanced with numerous special musical guests including Alison Krauss and Susan Ashton and the harmonies of Vince Gill and Dan Tyminski (Union Station). Grammy® winners Turtle Island String Quartet give life to arrangements by longtime collaborator John Schreiner on numerous tracks.

Devotion to God is worship of God, and, in a subdued, meditative manner, Ortega creates the right atmosphere in which the listener can reflect on God and commune with God.

JACKIE A. CHAPMAN- CCMMagazine.com

Average Rating:

8 of 13 Reviews Showing:(View All Reviews)

Reviewed by Betty Hamblin (Normal, IL), May 29, 2009

Loved it. Fernando Ortega doesn't disappoint with his mellow sound. Really nice CD for quiet listening and reflection.

Reviewed by LorianneGebhardt (Murrieta), March 02, 2009

This is the BEST cd to put in your ears to create a calm, peace and re-connect with the Father. My favorite thing to do is, make sure I'm not driving, lean my head back, close my eyes and just let it help me drift into some comforting worship time. It's a real battery charger!

Reviewed by Deborah Czerski (Chugiak, AK), January 02, 2009

This is a wonderful CD. So glad I ordered 2 copies. Each song is a spiritual blessing. Very uplifting. Was a little disappointed that it took so long for this order to arrive, but it was worth the wait.

Reviewed by Bev Sesink (Edmonton, Ab,), August 07, 2008

Excellent! Very meditative, contemplative and thought provoking! In a busy world some very much needed quietness for the soul!

Reviewed by Lucie (Ontario Canada), July 15, 2008

Echoing other reviewers. Very soulful and peaceful music. Find a quiet peaceful place to listen and enjoy more of Fernando's beautiful music.

Reviewed by Rudolf le Roux (Cape Town, South Africa), June 30, 2008

All the other reviews are true. I just wanted to add my voice. It is one of my favorite CD's and I think it is Fernando Ortega's best so far.

Reviewed by Toby Thompson (Copley,, OH), January 02, 2008

This CD is an instrument of God's love and healing for each of us. Fernando's arrangements are beautiful. Fernando's use of a string quartet enriches the acoustic splendor. I play this CD at least once a day.

Reviewed by Matt Algren (Dayton, Ohio), October 02, 2007

I've been a fan of Ortega's for quite a few years. THE SHADOW OF YOUR WINGS is easily his best yet, something I haven't said since his 1998 CD THE BREAKING OF THE DAWN. Ortega is amazingly skillful at interpreting long-known hymns, finding depth previously unknown. He's just as skilled at crafting new hymns to compliment the old. Just beautiful. "Let The Words Of My Mouth" and "Oh God You Are My God" especially caught my ear on this CD, but it's best listened to as one piece, not fourteen separate tracks. THE SHADOW OF YOUR WINGS is Fernando Ortega's Mona Lisa. Take my advice: Find a quiet corner, put on your headphones, and let the music wash over you.

View all 13 Reviews

Write a review of The Shadow of Your Wings: Hymns and Sacred Songs CD

• Genre >> Hymns
• Music
• Music >> General
• Start A New Christianbook.com Search

I'm the author/artist and I want to review The Shadow of Your Wings: Hymns and Sacred Songs CD.