Ten months after hymnal pioneer Ruth Duck passed away, her friend Dan Damon and student Felicia Patton have shared her last gift with the Church.
The new recording, I Offer You My Life: A Tribute to Ruth Duck, features twelve unpublished hymn texts by the Duck (1947-2024).
Hymn writer and jazz pianist Damon teams up with Chicago vocalist Patton in this duet album. Duck’s final hymn texts are given tunes by Damon that range from jazz to popular styles. Patton moves from the depth of blues to a light classical sound with ease as she covers the songs on this album.
“Ruth Duck was one of the great hymnwriters of our time. A pioneer in the use of inclusive and
expansive language for God, she influenced a generation," said Damon.
"As a friend, Ruth gave me the hope I needed when I was a young hymn writer through her personal encouragement and courageous example. She believed in me," he said.
The title track, written in Duck’s early life and unpublished until now, expresses her full-hearted commitment to Christ. Many of the remaining tracks deal personally with pain and loss. As Duck approached the end of her life, facing the challenges of a prolonged illness, she found comfort in the Psalms she paraphrased so powerfully.
“For Ruth Duck, confessional, compassionate friend, eternal joyous dancer who has given us songs to sing even in the pain we bear, thanks be to you, O God," said Rev. Dr. Dwight Vogel, a friend and colleague of Duck.
Ruth Duck was ordained in the United Church of Christ and pastored churches in the Midwest. After earning her doctorate, she taught worship for 27 years at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, Evanston, Illinois. Duck is an internationally renowned hymnwriter, with texts appearing in many denominational hymnals and supplements. This recording continues her legacy.
I Offer You My Life: A Tribute to Ruth Duck is out now on all streaming platforms. It follows Damon’s latest Christmas album, I Saw Three Ships, which was lauded by Salvos Magazine as "world class".
Damon is currently performing on the West Coast, with dates available at dandamonmusic.com. Felicia Patton performs regularly in the Chicago area. Go to feliciapatton.net for bookings.
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