Selah Hymns If you are looking for some peaceful, reflective music to bring rest & relaxation or to compliment your devotional time, this CD will not disappoint. Pure solo piano arrangements of your favourite hymns, performed tastefully yet with simplicity. Inspired by the lyrics of the hymns, and the stories behind the composers, Kris Baines brings a depth and sensitivity to these instrumental arrangements that edifies the spirit and refreshes the mind. What Others Are Saying About The Music... "Kris Baines brings alive the most famous of hymn tunes, drawing inspiration from their writers and words to offer a collection of beautifully expressive solo piano arrangments" - ICC Records, UK "A soothing and refreshing reminder of the rich musical heritage which shaped us as we grew, teaching us more than the best sermons we heard ...a simplistic but sensitive interpretation of some of the greatest hymns ever written. This album touches the heart, eases the spirit, and certainly lives up to it's name." - Shacky, Former Label Manager, Parachute Music NZ "Take a solo piano, some timeless gems from the Christian hymnody and play them in an expressive, not quite jazz not quite classical manner and this is what you get" - Simon Carpenter, Cross Rhythms "...it has filled my office with peaceful music as well as our sanctuary. We have used it at home and for some music that was played for some "going home" gatherings, (aka known as funerals or memorials.) ... Give it a listen!" - Pastor Chuck Kelly, Calvary Chapel Bullhead City, USA "...his music is wonderful -- solo piano arrangements of mostly old hymns. Everyone we give these to just raves about them." - Pastor Dave Swaney, Calvary Chapel Nelson, New Zealand "Kris Baines has captured the essence of these all-time favourite hymns in a perfectly co-ordinated piano recital which is both original and refreshing" - Julie-Anne Milliken, Manager, Browns Bay Christian Book Centre, Auckland, New Zealand ARTIST BIO: Born in the United Kingdom, Kristien Baines began piano lessons when he was eight years old. His natural talent and love of the piano soon became apparent and throughout his latter teens and early 20's Kris played keyboard for several UK and US bands, travelling extensively. During this time, Kris honed his talent and gained valuable experience in performing, recording and composition. Whilst in Los Angeles, Kris' long time quest for spiritual truth and the meaning/purpose of life ended. Having put the claims of Christ to the test, Kris came to realise that Jesus was indeed ‘the way, the truth and the life' (John 14:6, The Bible) and soon after committed his life to Jesus Christ. While this new direction saw Kris gradually move away from the mainstream music scene, his love for music and talent continued to grow. In 1998, Kris moved to New Zealand where he taught over 60 students as a full time piano teacher. In 2002, He finished recording his first solo piano CD entitled Selah Hymns. After helping with the planting of Calvary Chapel Auckland and serving there for several years as a youth pastor/worship leader, Kris and Becky moved to Christchurch to plant Calvary Chapel Christchurch - a non-denominational church affiliated with Calvary Chapel of Costa Mesa, California. After moving to Christchurch, Kris recorded two more solo piano CDs, Selah Hymns 2 and Selah Christmas. Kris has also undertaken some film/TV music composition, scoring the soundtrack for Meet Me In Miami, an independent feature film that premiered in Christchurch. The fact that Kris still plays the piano is both a miracle and a testimony itself to the grace of God. In the mid 90's, he was advised to stop playing after being diagnosed with Repetitive Strain Injury in both hands. However, he says that God miraculously intervened, healing him and enabling him to play to this day without any of the pain he experienced previously. The Selah CD series is a reflection of Kris' love for the great hymns of the past. "I like the idea of playing instrumental versions of great hymns in a very expressive way and also using improvisation. With such powerful and emotive words, I think it's important to put a lot of feeling into the music," he says. Kris is married to his wife Becky and they live in Christchurch, New Zealand with their 4 children Sarah, Holly, Abigail & Gabriel. Kris spends his time doing Bible Teaching/Pastoral Care/Administration at Calvary Chapel Christchurch, works as a relief Ambulance Officer for St Johns, and writes/records music as and when the opportunities arise. Aside from those activities, Kris loves to spend time with his wife and children, without whose support he says he would not achieve anything!