The Grandma Project

Christian Century, Sept 21, 2004 by Louis R. Carlozo

by Kara Kesselring (self-released, at www.cdbaby.com). Jazz pop, vocal harmony.

Working with fellow members of Lake View Presbyterian Church in Chicago, Kesselring has rendered a tender jewel, a collection of songs from her grandmother's hymnal. It starts with the jazzy effervescence of "This Little Light of Mine," then unwinds into numbers such as "Lead, Kindly Light" and "Amazing Grace" that glow with a campfire intimacy. The album closer, "Call Me," is a Kesselring original that makes a tidy bookend with "This Little Light," sporting a complementary melody and up-tempo feel.