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Grapevine's live recordings have long
been among my favourite of annual UK summer output. The obvious sense of passion effused, along with the worshipful reality of warm, flowing songs, ever combine to produce a most absorbing experience, and, cliché
excused, One Nation has gotta be the best one yet!
Unity in diversity' is again in order, with one or two fairly unfamiliar (at least to many of us) worship names leading on some tracks (e.g. Karen Smith) along with other seasoned musicians. Variety in
song-writing too; apart from Godfrey Birtill's intriguing (out of place?) trio, each other of these 15 tunes has a different writer to it's credit, resulting in a blessed mix of new, home-composed and recent,
borrowed tunes. Hard to pick out favourites as virtually all songs work well, but I do love the celebration charm of 'You are the Holy One', the thoughtful dedication of the piano-based 'Your name', and
the adorational sensitivity of 'To worship You'. Another special moment follows Chris Bowater's tender rendition of a Redman song, when Carla Hayles breaks forth into one of the most
'anointed' spontaneous songs I have heard in a while.
The unity of focused worship is apparent throughout this wonderful
74 minute set, all brought together under the production skills of Daniel Bowater. Such unity is suggested by the album title, and shared on the gentle Caribbean tones of 'One love' (which I confess reminds me
slightly of Bob Marley's reggae song of same name!); -
'Many people of many nations / Are gathered before the Lord / A royal priesthood holy witness / A choir of hearts and voices / In harmony sing praise to
God'.
Many voices, many sounds - One Nation, one great album!
Review by tom lennie |
