04 - O for a Thousand (More Piano, Please - James Ward)

In 1985, James Ward released "More Piano, Please" on cassette tape. Sadly, the master recording tapes were lost, and so the album was never released on CD.
A few years ago I found a still-shrinkwrapped copy of this cassette. I cleaned up the audio as well as I could and converted it to MP3s. It is my favorite James Ward album. Although you can still buy the full-instrumental re-recording of this album ("Life and Health and Peace"), there is something special and heartfelt that comes across beautifully when James is playing and singing alone at his piano. In that sense, "More Piano, Please" is unique.
With James' gracious permission, I'm glad to share this album with you.
Playlist:
01 - Let the People Praise (Him)
02 - The Builder
03 - Sleep, Little Girl
04 - O for a Thousand
05 - I am the Door
06 - Death is Ended
07 - So Let the Time
08 - Rock of Ages
09 - He is Our Peace
10 - I Belong To You

[@Artsartisan]

Back in 1970 I was acquainted with a gentleman named Herbert Hathaway. Mr. Hathaway was became a special man in my life in whom I experienced the love of Jesus Christ. I would frequent a Christian coffee house in the gymnasium of a Presbyterian Church in Doylestown, PA. Mr. Hathaway wanted me to hear a young musician from Covenant College, Tennessee. I didn't realize that Mr. Hathaway would take me to the same coffee house in which I had become a regular patron. Well, there was a young man with long hair pulled back in a pony tail pounding on those black and white keys of an upright piano. Yes, that young man was James Ward. I purchased my first album by James that evening - I wish I had gotten his autograph too. I recall hearing him perform in a school auditorium in New Jersey. It was at that concert I purchased "More Piano Please" The album was among my favorite recordings by James. I was delighted when James would perform at the Creation Festivals near Shirleysburg, PA. It was great to enjoy a "morning cup of coffee' with Duffy Robbins and James Ward. I did speak with James at the Creation Festival and we compared notes particularly about our mutual friendship with Mr. Herbert Hathaway. Well, the only place I hear of James is on KZbin - and of course his website. It is really great to hear this wonderful rendition of a great hymn! Thanks for posting this wonderful song from a great album!

[@chopin2000lee]

The best version of the original song O For A Thousand written by Charles Wesley

[@Fairfaxcat]

Jim Ward's--and Wesley's? (he had so many other great hymn-texts)--crowning achievement!