QUICK NOTES: Colorado-based singer Allyse Smith�s debut CD, �Come Thou Fount,� is a peaceful collection of hymns and standards (with pianist Marvin Goldstein). Meanwhile, artist/engineer Clayton Pixton of Kansas City takes a totally different approach with �Hymns Anew�, even though both artists cover �Come Thou Fount.� Pixton�s 12-song collection offers up acoustic/vocal style arrangements. Instruments include piano, guitar, tin whistle, and of course lots of neat vocals, says Pixton on his web site. Both albums are definitely worth checking out.

(Quint Randle was born and raised in Southern California and has been a music journalist and songwriter for more than 25 years. He is now a faculty member in the BYU Communications Department. He has co-written two No. 1 songs in the Christian-Country market and still moonlights as a member of the award-winning duo Joshua Creek. He founded Gig Magazine and has written for Mix Magazine, Recording Engineer/Producer and Guitar Player. He also co-authored the book "Making Money Making Music.")