Bob Hughes

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.

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 sythn 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. - Julie Carr / christianmusic.com