MUSIC REVIEWS

with Peter Dilley

Lots of potential

Cut Wide Open, by Paul Marriott, Worx Records, CD,
£5 (inc p&p).

ALBUMS released through the 'major' Christian labels are but a small part of the total Christian music scene - up and down the country grassroots musicians keep beavering away, and between them they produce a vast body of original material, much of which never goes further than their friends, families and churches.
Recordings, such as this one from singer/ songwriter/ multi-instrumentalist Paul Marriott, open up possibilities of reaching a wider audience, and Cut Wide Open has been produced (and priced) with that very intention.
Quite obviously Delirious?'s Martin Smith is Paul's role model vocally, but the use of mandolin on slower tracks and the raunchier backing for Treading Water (reminiscent of It's The End Of The World As We Know It) also hint at some REM influence.
Lyrically, inspiration for opening track Wake Up Sleeper comes from Ephesians 5, while elsewhere Paul's songs are passionate outpourings of human vulnerability, mingled with thanksgiving to God and wholehearted submission.
At times the sound seems a little on the stark side (some background keyboards might have helped), but for the most part Paul has made a pretty good job of it - he's definitely got potential.
Nine songs in all, and well worth a fiver.
Copies are available from: New Generation Church Centre, Birkbeck Road, Sidcup, Kent, DA14 4DJ. Telephone: (0208) 309 6056.

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