Concord Records
Release Date: December 1st 2023
Reviewed by: Joshua Andre
Kenny G– Innocence (Amazon mp3/iTunes)
Track Listing:
- Acapella Lullaby
- Rock-a-bye Baby
- A Mother’s Lullaby
- Nocturne Op. 9 No. 2
- Edelweiss
- Tender Lullaby
- Berceuse
- Kinderlove
- Over The Rainbow
- Major Lullaby
- Lullaby Tres
- Studio City Lullaby
Throughout all my years reviewing music, I don’t think I’ve ever come across an album like what I’m about to gloss over now. I’ve always reviewed albums with words and lyrics and singing; and no matter what the genre (CCM, worship, country, pop, rock), I’ve been blessed to hear the artist’s musings on life and their thoughts about whatever situation they’re going through at a certain point in time. For Kenny G in general, and in particular his new album Innocence, the saxophonist plays from the heart. But this is in effect an instrumental album. Sure, we’ve reviewed Bethel Music’s Without Words: Genesis and we’ve loved Michael W. Smith’s two instrumental albums Freedom and Glory. But Kenny G’s project is something else entirely- almost orchestral and something like Beethoven, Mozart, or Bach.
Not that there’s anything wrong with instrumental music. But sometimes you just have to let the music take over your soul in those situations, and feel the music instead of just listening to it with your head. Feeling the music with your heart and soul, and letting God speak through the instruments, is something that should be practiced with all music, but especially with instrumental music. And thus, it is my pleasure to conclude that Innocence from Kenny, although short in duration, is sublime and probably one of the most impacting and heartfelt albums of 2023. Yes, Kenny is a saxophone genius. Apart from that though, I know nothing much about him. But perhaps, I don’t need to. Good music is good music is good music, and Kenny’s new album is proof of that. And so, do I need to check out the rest of Kenny’s discography? Hear God at work in the midst of music and songs that I may not be familiar with? I probably won’t seek it out- as it will take time for me to be fully immersed in Kenny’s craft as a saxophone player. But Innocence is superb no matter which way you look at it. And you all should take a listen and be amazed and impressed. That’s all.
3 songs to listen to: Edelweiss, Over The Rainbow, Major Lullaby
Score: 5/5
RIYL: Michael W. Smith, Disney songs, Lucy Thomas, Jackie Evancho, Charlotte Church, Josh Groban