I’ve been looking for new music to add to my playlist and found Shane Mickelson after a follower on twitter followed him. His album Classical Hymns reminds me growing up in my home church completely.  Although these traditional hymns have been rearranged, each time I hear Come Thou Fount I imagine the entire congregation singing this song.

I had to memorize these hymns in school many  times and there were competitions on which class memorized all three to five stanzas of the songs. It was fun when I was a younger as I learned a lot about all the composers both popular ones like Bach, Mozart and Beethoven. Our music teacher hung their portraits on the wall (in order of their birth I believe) and we spent time studying each of their lives.

All of those memories come flooding in as I listen to this album. It’s very traditional composition, yet the way it’s arranged and composed doesn’t take away from the original piece. It melts right into how the first time I’ve heard Amazing Grace or A Poor Wayfarying Man on the organ and piano.

When I hear any song from this album from my playlist rotation, I stop everything to reflect, reminisce, and re-adjust my mood and attitude. It truly cleanses and frees my mind allowing me to refresh my approach when editing and crafting this novel just right.

Although he’s a bit busy seeking more education, I would love have another album. Like a Thanksgiving album or Christmas it’d be interesting to hear.

The album is available on Apple Music, Spotify, and YouTube.

Website: mickelsenmusic.com

Twitter: @shanemickelsen