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He calls it his greatest accomplishment to date, and I know no-one who disagrees. This is a cracking achievement from a man
who's appeared on heaps of other worship recordings as a 'session' singer. Now, finally, he's here with his own debut worship output; a set of brand new, organic songs which come together wonderfully, though they
weren't written specifically with an album in mind. You'll be hard pushed to find a write-up on Simon without finding a vocal comparison with that British pop veteran Sir Cliff Richard. Such comparison truly is
unavoidable, but let's face it - it's a compliment that most of us guys would be thoroughly proud of!
Melody is what matters most to Goodall - and boy does it show on this disc! Eleven striking songs with
wonderfully catchy choruses that, after just one listen, you're raring to join in on. Producer Paul Burton has pushed the artist into deeper waters than Simon normally enters into on some of these tracks; (given extra
nudge from guitarist Marc James, who played on some of those early Vineyard UK stormers, as well as from the likes of Paul Oakley's bassist!). Good thing is - it works. Tunes like the opening couple come with a
veritable knockout punch, while there's a fine upbeat flow to several more.
'I kneel down (El Shaddai)' carries a powerful and distinctive edge, releasing also the atmospheric backing vocals of one Cathy
Burton.
Some of Goodall's songs are disarmingly simple - true worship should be so, after all. Numbers like 'I love to worship You' and the acoustic beauty found in 'Keep me' and, especially
'Father we love You', come straight form the heart, and quickly find their way to mine. There's nothing like an old-fashioned (lesser-known) hymn to help round things off, and Goodall does this too with passion
and charm.
Review by tom lennie - October 2002 |
