Reviews

MUSIC

Top marks

Purple Through the Fishtank, by Phatfish. Pamplin Music (Word), CD £14.99/Cassette £9.99.

I MAY be biased, but it's long been my view that British Christian bands sound more passionate musically than many of their better-resourced American counterparts. Record labels Stateside are waking up to this, first signing Milton Keynes rockers Fono and now Phatfish, who cut their teeth in worship bands at Brighton's Clarendon Christian Centre/Stoneleigh Bible Week.

A good family pedigree here – Luke and Nathan Fellingham (sons of David Fellingham) are Phatfish's rhythm section, and Louise (now Nathan's wife) is lead vocalist. They're joined by Alan Rose (guitar) and Michael Sandeman (keyboards), with Stoneleigh stalwarts Paul Oakley and Stu Townend also lending a hand, all under expert guidance from top producer Alan Shacklock (previous work for The Alarm, Roger Daltrey and Dexy's Midnight Runners).

Having dropped their earlier acid jazz influences, Phatfish now plough a similar furrow to the immensely popular Rebecca St James – intense contemporary rock grooves (Kingdom Coming, Come Near To Me, What Love) and moody spaciousness (What Would I Do?, Resolve, Second Best) underpin penetrating worship/ministry-orientated lyrics, climaxing with the choir-backed finale Holy, Holy.

If I was being really tough, I'd dock a few points for lyrical cliches, but in every other respect Purple Through The Fishtank deserves top marks.

Cool and classy

The Quiet, by Phil Driscoll. Phil Driscoll Music Group (Word), CD £14.99

MY last encounter with singer/trumpeter Phil Driscoll was his 1997 Clapton-soundalike Live! With Friends worship album. Very different in style from its predecessor, but still boasting much the same star-studded band, his latest release The Quiet is one of the first to emerge on Phil's new record label, to which he's also signed his son Jamie's band Cross Culture (nepotism or shrewd business move - who knows?).

If you're playing instrumental jazz, it's certainly easier to get it right if you can call upon the services of Abraham Laboriel (bass), Bill Maxwell (drums), Alex Acuna (percussion), and Michael Thompson (guitar), and the legendary Billy Preston to join regulars Bill Mason and Greg Mathieson on keyboard duties.

Featuring Phil playing the ram's horn for all he's worth, opener The Prophet seems at odds with both the album title and much of the other content, but it's undoubtedly one of the highlights. Phil's trumpet playing really shines on The Flight and Carefree, soloing from Abe Laboriel brings Peaceful Waters to a close in style, and the combined efforts of Messrs. Laboriel, Preston, Mason and Driscoll make The Walk an absolute delight.

Cool and classy, and ideal for unwinding at home.

Peter Dilley is a bass guitarist and part-time studio technician

© Christian Family Network
is run by CPO, supported by
Care for the Family, Marriage Resource, Positive Parenting,
Care, Women Alive, Christian Herald and many others.


		MUSIC Top marks Purple Through the Fishtank, by Phatfish. Pamplin Music (Word), CD £14.99/Cassette £9.99. I MAY be biased, but it's long been my view that British Christian bands sound more passionate musically than many of their better-resourced American counterparts. Record labels Stateside are waking up to this, first signing Milton Keynes rockers Fono and now Phatfish, who cut their teeth in worship bands at Brighton's Clarendon Christian Centre/Stoneleigh Bible Week. A good family pedigree here – Luke and Nathan Fellingham (sons of David Fellingham) are Phatfish's rhythm section, and Louise (now Nathan's wife) is lead vocalist. They're joined by Alan Rose (guitar) and Michael Sandeman (keyboards), with Stoneleigh stalwarts Paul Oakley and Stu Townend also lending a hand, all under expert guidance from top producer Alan Shacklock (previous work for The Alarm, Roger Daltrey and Dexy's Midnight Runners). Having dropped their earlier acid jazz influences, Phatfish now plough a similar furrow to the immensely popular Rebecca St James – intense contemporary rock grooves (Kingdom Coming, Come Near To Me, What Love) and moody spaciousness (What Would I Do?, Resolve, Second Best) underpin penetrating worship/ministry-orientated lyrics, climaxing with the choir-backed finale Holy, Holy. If I was being really tough, I'd dock a few points for lyrical cliches, but in every other respect Purple Through The Fishtank deserves top marks. Cool and classy The Quiet, by Phil Driscoll. Phil Driscoll Music Group (Word), CD £14.99 MY last encounter with singer/trumpeter Phil Driscoll was his 1997 Clapton-soundalike Live! With Friends worship album. Very different in style from its predecessor, but still boasting much the same star-studded band, his latest release The Quiet is one of the first to emerge on Phil's new record label, to which he's also signed his son Jamie's band Cross Culture (nepotism or shrewd business move - who knows?). If you're playing instrumental jazz, it's certainly easier to get it right if you can call upon the services of Abraham Laboriel (bass), Bill Maxwell (drums), Alex Acuna (percussion), and Michael Thompson (guitar), and the legendary Billy Preston to join regulars Bill Mason and Greg Mathieson on keyboard duties. Featuring Phil playing the ram's horn for all he's worth, opener The Prophet seems at odds with both the album title and much of the other content, but it's undoubtedly one of the highlights. Phil's trumpet playing really shines on The Flight and Carefree, soloing from Abe Laboriel brings Peaceful Waters to a close in style, and the combined efforts of Messrs. Laboriel, Preston, Mason and Driscoll make The Walk an absolute delight. Cool and classy, and ideal for unwinding at home. Peter Dilley is a bass guitarist and part-time studio technician © Christian Family Network is run by CPO, supported by Care for the Family, Marriage Resource, Positive Parenting, Care, Women Alive, Christian Herald and many others.