Returning Home with Fernando Ortega

Fernando Ortega
“Home”
Myrrh Records
2000

In the year 2000, Fernando Ortega released one of the best albums of that year. Note, I’m not qualifying this statement by saying it is one of the best Contemporary Christian Music albums of the year. Yes, Ortega is known as a prominent artist in the genre, but “Home” stands as a beautiful masterwork, thoroughly enjoyable, and shouldn’t be confined to any sub-genre, as it stands strong without any music industry branding. At the same time, this isn’t a watered-down attempt at crossing over into the mainstream arena. His faith and values are on full display, as this is simply part of who he is. However, “Home” isn’t what my grandmother termed “so heavenly minded that it’s no earthly good.” Ortega walks the same streets and breathes the same air as the rest of us, and as one of us, he sings about what he sees and feels.

When the pre-release of this album arrived in my mailbox in early 2000, I was not familiar with this artist, although he had already released seven albums by then. I was immediately impressed with Ortega’s ability to deliver each song with conviction. He clearly believes in what he sings, which adds authenticity to this collection of carefully selected songs. Most of the songs are written or co-written by Ortega, and the set includes one traditional African-American spiritual, “Give Me Jesus.”

The album opens joyously with “This Good Day,” a song of joy and appreciation that radiates goodwill and feels like summer. Two of the album's finest moments are “Lonely Road” and “Virginia Rose,” with the former beautifully evoking the feeling of missing one’s lover and home while on the road. At the same time, the latter is a straightforward love song carried by the rousing violin of Stuart Duncan.

While celebrating the joys and loves of this life and the recurring theme of home, these songs do not shy away from the less comfortable aspects of life. “Old Girl" concerns a homeless woman who, despite outward disarray, maintains her dignity, whereas “On the Line” thoughtfully reflects on the lives of lonely elderly individuals.

Returning to the spiritual “Pass Me Not” is a faithful rendition of the 19th-century American hymn, followed by “No One Else,” an upbeat song of praise and thanksgiving similar to the album’s opener “This Good Day.”

“Prayer For Home” and “Winter Song” each feel occasion-specific, with the former suitable for weddings and the latter as a beautiful Christmas meditation. And finally, the spiritual “Give Me Jesus" completes the set.

The album’s warm, introspective tone is achieved with the help of a large and diverse group of outstanding musicians, including: Fernando Ortega on vocals, piano, and acoustic guitar; Steve Addabbo, Rich Nibbe, Dean Parks, Tad Wagner, Jon Hughes, George Cocchini, Bob Somma, Randy Mitchell, Greg Leisz, and Matt Slocum on guitars; Don Heffington and David Raven on drums; Jimmy Johnson and Tim Chandler on bass; John Andrew Schreiner (the album producer) on piano, organ, synthesizer, and accordion; and legendary violin player Stuart Duncan.