Reviews

MUSIC

Good first impression

All I Have, by Rita Springer. Floodgate Records (Word), CD £10.99

DESPITE Rob Frost’s recent comments in Christian Herald on “disposable worship”, I shall continue to endorse new
worship leaders, songwriters and albums, providing the music touches me at a deeper level than simply as a marketable, but ultimately short-lived commodity.

And surely it’s true that musical tastes and culture are never static – real talent and creativity will always be emerging. Take Rita Springer for instance, a husky-voiced singer/songwriter already well respected within the Vineyard churches, and whose latest album draws on UK veteran Andy Piercy’s production expertise.

Together they make good first impressions with huge rock sounds on Oh How You Love Me, followed by the gradually climactic Mansion. Backing these up no less effectively are interpretations of You Said by Reuben Morgan and Redman’s Lord Let Your Glory Fall, leading to a more reflective, submissive mood for Between Your Shoulders, All My Days and Created To Worship.

And, as if written in response to Rob’s remarks, the impassioned Phenomenon carries the lines “Forgive me, oh Lord, if I’ve been a market place/Turn me upside down so I will seek your face”. With that cleared up, Resting, Like You Jesus and Beautiful Friend provide a serene closing section.

Recommend listening – no apologies.

Looking to the future

Intermission – The Greatest Hits, by dcTalk. Forefront Records (Alliance Music), CD £14.99

FEW bands made more impact on the contemporary Christian music scene in the last decade than dcTalk. Surfacing originally as a rock-influenced hip-hop trio perhaps
comparable to the Beastie Boys, transformation into a post-grunge rock outfit with the Jesus Freak album brought massive critical acclaim and increased popularity.

It’s not surprising then that material from that seminal release features prominently on their Greatest Hits compilation – six songs including Jesus Freak, celebration of ethnic diversity Colored People, and the vulnerable What If I Stumble?, while the jokey Mrs Morgan (Act II) recalls the “fifteen minutes of fame” the album brought her.

Early work, such as Walls from Nu Thang (1990) deserved inclusion, but nothing predates classic tracks/remixes from Free At Last (1992) – Luv Is A Verb, Jesus Is Just Alright and so on. My Will from the Exodus worship album and cuts from Supernatural come nearer to the present, and I Wish We’d All Been Ready was their contribution to the One Way collection of Larry Norman songs.

With Kevin, Michael and Toby busy on other projects, the title Intermission denotes dcTalk’s current status, but new tracks Chance and Sugar Coat It hint at their future direction – it sounds as good as anything here.

Peter Dilley is a bass guitarist and co-ordinator/mentor for a support scheme for young people with learning disabilities with the charity InterAct

© 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 Good first impression All I Have, by Rita Springer. Floodgate Records (Word), CD £10.99 DESPITE Rob Frost’s recent comments in Christian Herald on “disposable worship”, I shall continue to endorse new worship leaders, songwriters and albums, providing the music touches me at a deeper level than simply as a marketable, but ultimately short-lived commodity. And surely it’s true that musical tastes and culture are never static – real talent and creativity will always be emerging. Take Rita Springer for instance, a husky-voiced singer/songwriter already well respected within the Vineyard churches, and whose latest album draws on UK veteran Andy Piercy’s production expertise. Together they make good first impressions with huge rock sounds on Oh How You Love Me, followed by the gradually climactic Mansion. Backing these up no less effectively are interpretations of You Said by Reuben Morgan and Redman’s Lord Let Your Glory Fall, leading to a more reflective, submissive mood for Between Your Shoulders, All My Days and Created To Worship. And, as if written in response to Rob’s remarks, the impassioned Phenomenon carries the lines “Forgive me, oh Lord, if I’ve been a market place/Turn me upside down so I will seek your face”. With that cleared up, Resting, Like You Jesus and Beautiful Friend provide a serene closing section. Recommend listening – no apologies. Looking to the future Intermission – The Greatest Hits, by dcTalk. Forefront Records (Alliance Music), CD £14.99 FEW bands made more impact on the contemporary Christian music scene in the last decade than dcTalk. Surfacing originally as a rock-influenced hip-hop trio perhaps comparable to the Beastie Boys, transformation into a post-grunge rock outfit with the Jesus Freak album brought massive critical acclaim and increased popularity. It’s not surprising then that material from that seminal release features prominently on their Greatest Hits compilation – six songs including Jesus Freak, celebration of ethnic diversity Colored People, and the vulnerable What If I Stumble?, while the jokey Mrs Morgan (Act II) recalls the “fifteen minutes of fame” the album brought her. Early work, such as Walls from Nu Thang (1990) deserved inclusion, but nothing predates classic tracks/remixes from Free At Last (1992) – Luv Is A Verb, Jesus Is Just Alright and so on. My Will from the Exodus worship album and cuts from Supernatural come nearer to the present, and I Wish We’d All Been Ready was their contribution to the One Way collection of Larry Norman songs. With Kevin, Michael and Toby busy on other projects, the title Intermission denotes dcTalk’s current status, but new tracks Chance and Sugar Coat It hint at their future direction – it sounds as good as anything here. Peter Dilley is a bass guitarist and co-ordinator/mentor for a support scheme for young people with learning disabilities with the charity InterAct © 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.