Reviews

MUSIC

Great collection for gospel fans

This is Gospel - Inspirational Music for the 21st Century: Various Artists (Alliance Music www.alliancemusic.co.uk)

Fans of trad and contemporary black gospel music have a real feast to get their teeth into here - and we're delighted to be able to bring you a sound file taster of The Wades' contribution The Word Is. Watch out for lots more in future!

This Is Gospel has something for every taste: up-tempo funky gospel choirs, heart-shattering close harmony, soulful r'n b gospel, jazz inflections and strong worship-led adoration.

The line-up is a great showcase of the best of contemporary British gospel: The London Community Gospel Choir, Visual Ministry Choir, KICC Choir, explosive newcomers Global Zamar, Birmingham's inspirational Nu Life, awesome talent The Escoffreys, r'n b specialists The Wades (click HERE for sound clip, 175k - allow up to 60 seconds for download), plus some great individual voices in Lurine Cato, Paul Lee, Carrie and David Grant, Bishop John Francis and more.

An excellent collection for fans of the genre - and a great introduction to win new converts!

The CFN Review Team

Subtle shift for new line-up

Open Sky, by Iona. Alliance Music CD £14.99/cassette £9.99

AFTER two live projects, a group sabbatical, diverse solo ventures and personnel changes, Iona’s fifth studio album has finally materialised. Subtle shifts in direction are discernible, but Iona’s fusion of rock and Celtic sounds remains unmistakeable as the new line-up paint their expansive musical backdrops from a fresh palette of instrumental colours.

With drummer Frank Van Essen, Iona’s rhythmic base is less intricate than before, but his violin work is a major asset, most notably on A Million Stars and the intro to Wave After Wave. They’re also now without a saxophonist/flautist, so Troy Donockley (uilleann pipes, whistles) gains a more prominent role in places.

The 22-minute, three-part epic Songs Of Ascent exemplifies a return to longer, predominantly instrumental works, and only the gentle title piece is packaged in short song format.

This might seem to indicate a more ambient approach overall, but Woven Cord raises the curtain in fairly dramatic style, and Castlerigg climaxes with the kind of fieriness which Iona have previously exhibited on live highlight Reels. For me though, nothing surpasses the spiritual power of the quietly-building prayer “Light of light eternal, light my way for me” (Light Reflected) – rarely have Joanne Hogg’s vocal talents been employed more effectively.

Shows promise

Promise, by Catch. Private release £7

SOMERSET seven-piece Catch began as an amalgam of two church worship groups, who in 1998 combined to play support for LCGC in Wells Cathedral. Originally a ‘covers’ band, they now write their own material, some of which appears on demo CD Promise.

Versatility and flexibility are apparent immediately – four songwriters for the five songs, with instrumental/lead vocal responsibilities changing from track to track. First up as vocalist is Laura Hart with Iona-influenced acoustic rock number Come In, then backed by Laura’s flute, Lynne Hart has the lead on the prayerful Father, Dear Father.

Promise picks up from Come In musically, but this time features songwriter Rowena Steady, before it’s Don Hart’s turn, pulling back the pace with Water In The Wilderness.

Steve Hart’s Fly Like An Angel finishes it off – drum loops add a new slant style-wise beneath his Wonderwall-derived acoustic guitar, but in this context the electric guitar solo seems rather overblown.

By the sound of this Catch are pretty tight, and I’d guess their songs work well live. For a CD however, it’s all a little too weak – some general fattening up of the instrumental arrangements would definitely improve things. These are early days for Catch, so keep at it.

Copies of the CD are available from: Nigel & Rowena Steady, Littlemoor Cottage, Littlemoor Road, Mark, Somerset TA9 4NL.

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 Great collection for gospel fans This is Gospel - Inspirational Music for the 21st Century: Various Artists (Alliance Music www.alliancemusic.co.uk) Fans of trad and contemporary black gospel music have a real feast to get their teeth into here - and we're delighted to be able to bring you a sound file taster of The Wades' contribution The Word Is. Watch out for lots more in future! This Is Gospel has something for every taste: up-tempo funky gospel choirs, heart-shattering close harmony, soulful r'n b gospel, jazz inflections and strong worship-led adoration. The line-up is a great showcase of the best of contemporary British gospel: The London Community Gospel Choir, Visual Ministry Choir, KICC Choir, explosive newcomers Global Zamar, Birmingham's inspirational Nu Life, awesome talent The Escoffreys, r'n b specialists The Wades (click HERE for sound clip, 175k - allow up to 60 seconds for download), plus some great individual voices in Lurine Cato, Paul Lee, Carrie and David Grant, Bishop John Francis and more. An excellent collection for fans of the genre - and a great introduction to win new converts! The CFN Review Team Subtle shift for new line-up Open Sky, by Iona. Alliance Music CD £14.99/cassette £9.99 AFTER two live projects, a group sabbatical, diverse solo ventures and personnel changes, Iona’s fifth studio album has finally materialised. Subtle shifts in direction are discernible, but Iona’s fusion of rock and Celtic sounds remains unmistakeable as the new line-up paint their expansive musical backdrops from a fresh palette of instrumental colours. With drummer Frank Van Essen, Iona’s rhythmic base is less intricate than before, but his violin work is a major asset, most notably on A Million Stars and the intro to Wave After Wave. They’re also now without a saxophonist/flautist, so Troy Donockley (uilleann pipes, whistles) gains a more prominent role in places. The 22-minute, three-part epic Songs Of Ascent exemplifies a return to longer, predominantly instrumental works, and only the gentle title piece is packaged in short song format. This might seem to indicate a more ambient approach overall, but Woven Cord raises the curtain in fairly dramatic style, and Castlerigg climaxes with the kind of fieriness which Iona have previously exhibited on live highlight Reels. For me though, nothing surpasses the spiritual power of the quietly-building prayer “Light of light eternal, light my way for me” (Light Reflected) – rarely have Joanne Hogg’s vocal talents been employed more effectively. Shows promise Promise, by Catch. Private release £7 SOMERSET seven-piece Catch began as an amalgam of two church worship groups, who in 1998 combined to play support for LCGC in Wells Cathedral. Originally a ‘covers’ band, they now write their own material, some of which appears on demo CD Promise. Versatility and flexibility are apparent immediately – four songwriters for the five songs, with instrumental/lead vocal responsibilities changing from track to track. First up as vocalist is Laura Hart with Iona-influenced acoustic rock number Come In, then backed by Laura’s flute, Lynne Hart has the lead on the prayerful Father, Dear Father. Promise picks up from Come In musically, but this time features songwriter Rowena Steady, before it’s Don Hart’s turn, pulling back the pace with Water In The Wilderness. Steve Hart’s Fly Like An Angel finishes it off – drum loops add a new slant style-wise beneath his Wonderwall-derived acoustic guitar, but in this context the electric guitar solo seems rather overblown. By the sound of this Catch are pretty tight, and I’d guess their songs work well live. For a CD however, it’s all a little too weak – some general fattening up of the instrumental arrangements would definitely improve things. These are early days for Catch, so keep at it. Copies of the CD are available from: Nigel & Rowena Steady, Littlemoor Cottage, Littlemoor Road, Mark, Somerset TA9 4NL. Peter Dilley is a bass guitarist and part-time studio technician Back to top © 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.