Two-time Unity Award winner and founding member of the group Daughters of God, Sarah Hart, steps out with her second solo effort - Into These Rooms. The much-anticipated album released September 13, 2005 on the spiritandsong.com label reflects Hart's varied influences, which include Nancy Griffith, James Taylor, Thomas Merton and Sylvia Plath. The 13-track CD draws listeners in with a lively contemporary blend of folk, pop and rock while offering an intimate look at Hart's life of faith.
"I tend to be introspective about finding faith and glory in the mundane tasks of life," says Hart, the mother of two little girls. This introspection results in an album that is both spiritually deep and incredibly real, while maintaining impressive production and a sophisticated sound. Fans of lyric-driven music will find Hart to be a kindred spirit, particularly after hearing the heartfelt "For a Little While." The tender ballad features beautiful string and piano arrangements that are woven together to reveal the bittersweet pang mothers often experience while holding their newborn child. Her personal favorite, "Brave New World," is inspired by God the Creator and focuses on stepping out in faith each day. "I believe in Creator God, and because I do, I need to create things of worthiness," Hart comments. "We all should be working hard to make our best."
Special guest artists Phil Keaggy and Curtis Stephan make appearances on the album, adding new flavor to Hart's sweet compelling voice. "Be with Me, Lord," a breathtaking duet with Stephan, is based on Psalm 91 and pleads for God's help. Guitar legend Keaggy provides an ethereal backdrop to Hart's melodic vocals on "The Hillside," a musical depiction of the soul's restless journey through the clouds, shadows and contrary winds of this world. Outstanding studio musicians including Scott Dente (Out of the Grey), Mark Hill, Jerry McPherson, Dave Cleveland, Jeff Roach and Ken Lewis also contribute to the project.
Christianitytoday.com has praised Hart as "one of today's more promising organic/acoustic artists" and Christian Retailing raves that "listeners will appreciate the sincerity and beauty of Into These Rooms. Be prepared for a lively, creative and fresh musical offering that is geared toward uplifting believers."
On the road as a solo artist or with the group Daughters of God, Sarah Hart continues to bring the Good News to audiences large and small. She has performed in the intimacy of Nashville's Bluebird Café, New York City's Bitter End and Fast Folk as well as in many local community churches. She has toured with such artists as Wes King, Scott Krippayne, Kathy Troccoli and Phillips, Craig & Dean. Her travels have also allowed her to sing in front of tens of thousands of teenagers at the National Catholic Youth Conventions held in Indianapolis and St. Louis, as well as over 500,000 young adults at 2002's World Youth Day in Toronto. She has also sung at several major Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (ELCA) gatherings where over 100,000 people were in attendance for each event. Most recently, she performed at the 24th Italian Eucharistic Congress held in Bari, Italy, where Pope Benedict XVI celebrated the closing Mass. Hart is scheduled to be a featured performer during the October 2005 National Catholic Youth Convention in Atlanta with an expected attendance of over 80,000 guests, as well as the nationally televised Unity Awards this November.
For more information, go to www.spiritandsong.com.
