Neil Madsen – “Trombone”
The Liner/Sleeve Notes:
“‘We can make our plans, but the final outcome is in God’s Hands’ Proverbs 16:1 (Living Bible)
This album was born in my Father’s mind during August of 1980. Since then my parents and many other people have worked with me to produce a recording designed to honor God and enrich the spiritual walk of the listener. Yet we realize that without Christ our mere human efforts would be in vain.
I have enjoyed the rich blessing of music after many hours of study under the direction of Gerald Risden, and Karen Hedden to whom I am so deeply indebted for their consistent faith and encouragement. I pray that the music found herein wll richyky bkess your personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
NEIL MADSEN
Neil Madsen is a student at Matawan Regional High School in New Jersey. Besides playing with various school and local groups, Neil has performed with the New Jersey High School All State Orchestra. His solo church performances often include magic as well as music, during which Neil presents wonderful truths from God’s Word in a meaningful and memorable way.”
Personal Review:
My personal bet is that Neil recorded this during his high school years, maybe Neil in high school was on the band and played a mean trombone. Today, I am going to listen to Neil Madsen’s “Trombone“
The A-Side opens with the track titled “All My Life” – and we get a few little guitar strums and some windchimes before we go into Neil performing with his trombone. The music is calm and relaxing. The orchestrations on this track are really nice to hear. “I Wanna Be Ready” comes next, and we get some piano tinkling and some backing vocals on this one as Neil goes along on his trombone, it’s actually a pretty good track, I am vibing with it. “Sweet, Sweet Spirit” follows next, and after the last song this orchestra and backing vocalists have some big shoes to fill, Neil on the other hand just keeps doing his thing on that trombone. The pick-up by the orchestra is pretty great in this song, we do have to give credit to the man conducting the orchestra, Larry Mayfield. “My Tribute” comes next, and this is always a good song to have on an album because it is such a great Gospel song, I am curious to hear how this one plays out. There it is, absolutely beautifully played. That was great. We end the A-Side with “Reach Out to Jesus” and so far, I’ve very impressed with this album, everything about it is fantastic, the only thing I think it would really benefit from would be a tenor vocalist, but Neil and his trombone – equally as good.
Onwards to side two with “Bring Back the Springtime“! and again, we get like that jazz guitar sound with the keys, a little sprinkle of the backing vocals on those “oohs” and of course, Neil and his trombone. Those backing vocalists do a bit more vocalizing on this one as well, I dig it. “Shepherd of Love” comes next, and I know I’ve heard this one before by a certain Iowan singer – and Neil, with his trombone provide a great soundtrack to a great song, and I think that certain Iowan singer would do a wonderful piece with Neil, and his trombone. “All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name” follows next, and it is powerfully delivered and it certainly sounds like a victory song, and it is something of beauty. “Neil’s Song” follows next, and it’s another beautifully done song by Neil and his trombone, but it’s really the backing orchestrations that sell it for me. The album closes out with “America the Beautiful” and it such a well conducted and performed piece by Neil, his trombone and the orchestra of Larry Mayfield. This album truly is a hidden gem for those who enjoy orchestral and concert band albums. My hat goes off to Neil, his trombone, the orchestra, Larry Mayfield and those wonderful backing vocalists.
You can listen to this album here, and here.
Interesting Facts:
It’s iin reaaaaally tight shrink wrap as you can see by the photos.
Track Listing:
A1 All My Life
A2 I Wanna Be Ready
A3 Sweet, Sweet Spirit
A4 My Tribute
A5 Reach Out to Jesus
B1 Bring Back the Springtime
B2 Shepherd of Love
B3 All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name
B4 Neil’s Song
B5 America the Beautiful
Label:
Mustard Seed
Catalog Number:
(0798)
Studio Musicians & Other Album Credits:
Arranged and Conducted by Larry Mayfield
Orchestra Recorded by Bob Whyley
Solos and Vocal Backgrounds, and remixed by Toby Foster
Cover Photos by Bob McConnell
