Q&A w/Page CXVI: Making hymns known again

Classic hymns are getting a facelift from Page CXVI (that’s Page 116, for those of you who are Roman-numeral-challenged), a/k/a The Autumn Film. Both groups are led by singer/composer/producer/keyboardist Latifah Phillips and also include Reid Phillips (guitar, programming, keyboards) and Dann Stockton (drums, keyboards). The group gets its name from the page number of their copy of The Magician’s Nephewby C.S. Lewis. On that page, Aslan begins to sing Narnia into existence.

Through seven CDs, Page CXVI has been singing new life into the classics, striving to make “hymns accessible and known again.” The results are inspiring and musically luscious renditions of great songs of the Christian faith, such as “Rock of Ages,” “Come Thou Fount,” “Holy, Holy, Holy” and a country waltz version of “Amazing Grace” that Patti Page would have been proud to sing in church.

Page CXVI is currently working on a church calendar project, which focuses on hymnody that marks seasons of the liturgical year, such as Advent, Christmas, Lent, Holy Week and Easter. They plan to record three calendar records plus another in 12 months.

Latifah recently graciously took the time to answer some questions:

Q: Your Page CXVI bio says that you “could not deny the strong beckoning of the hymns.” What form did that “beckoning” take?

In moments of discouragement or fear, I often remember the words and melodies of hymns. Ever since I was a little girl these songs stuck with me because of their profound beauty and eloquence. Hymns have beckoned me through their enduring language and poetry of God, our position before Jim as broken and beloved, and the gift of grace and freedom he gives us through Christ. Hymns have beckoned me through their enduring language and poetry

Q: How do you hope your liturgical works project will be used?

Our hope is that these next 3 Page CXVI records (nicknamed the Church Calendar Project) will allow folks to walk through the entire Counsel of God each year with song, on their own, with their families, as well as their communities. As I get older I am deeply reminded that I am both broken and beloved. That my sinful condition separates me from God, but because of his profound love for us he has sent Christ. Fulfilling His promise by His life, death, and resurrection releasing us from the bondage of sin. My gratitude has grown immensely as I have been writing and recording these records, walking through Advent, Christmas, Lent, Maundy Thursday, Palm Sunday, Good Friday, and Easter. This project has been good for my soul and in turn I hope it encourages those who listen to it as well.

Q: What kind of mental/emotional adjustments do you have to make moving between The Autumn Film and Page CXVI?

Honestly, not much. TAF and Page are both who we are, so we can just be ourselves. They just serve different purposes. TAF allows us to be creative and express more personal stories and ideas we are wrestling with. Whereas Page is meant for more corporate worship. Not every Page song will be used for corporate worship, but we do keep that in mind as we mold each record. When we are making a Page record I am thinking about who it is for and how it can encourage them. When we are making a TAF record I am just thinking about expressing myself.

Q: What criteria do you use to choose which hymns to reinvent?

1) Do the lyrics resonate with my soul and spirit?

2) Is it true?

3) Does it encourage?

Q: What has been the feedback on the hymns project? Has it been what you hoped or did you know what to hope?

Overall it has been wonderful. We by no means believed that this project would please everyone, nor should it. It is impossible to make good art if your biggest concern is pleasing everyone. Our heart was to connect beautiful music and melody to the profound lyricism of age of hymns. We are grateful that so many people have been encouraged by these records and it is what has continued to spur us on to make this next project. One of my favorite compliments has been from folks who say, “Our church has had a hard time bridging the gap between the generations in our church with worship, but your arrangements have been really helpful with that!” It has been a honor to be a part of making hymns known again and our hope is that these songs continue to move into younger generations because with them they carry the grace, love, and truth of the Gospel.