CLOSER NEARER
by Emmaus
Dublin, Ireland

Members of Emmaus:
Joanne Johnston:  lead vocals
Tony Ryce-Kelly:  electric, acoustic guitars, vocals
Rojo:  keys, acoustic guitar, vocals
Mary Farrelly: backing vocals
Lynne O’Hara:  backing vocals
Greg Fromholz:  percussion
Andrew Mahony:  bass guitar, vocals
Ian McMillan:  drums

Songs:
  1.  Closer Nearer
  2.  Carry
  3.  I Receive You Lord
  4.  Alleluia Jesus is the Lord
  5.  You’re Beautiful
  6.  Reach
  7.  Yeah Yeah, Jesus is Here
  8.  Out of the Depths-Psalm 120
  9.  Jesus Jesus Touch Me
10.  Our Father
11.  Lord You’re My Shepherd-Psalm 23

Comments by Emmaus from the CD insert:
We were in Germany playing a gig at a festival in the summer of 1997, when the core idea for this album was born. We took a retreat in a monastery near Augsburg, the whole band and road crew, and we got on our faces before God for several days. In the midst of that, we began to feel a real longing to get back to our first love, writing and singing worship songs that work in a rock and roll setting. Songs we could chant with the crowds and yet use just as easily praying in our bedrooms. Songs that contain the truth about Jesus and His amazing love for us, yet ones you could find yourself humming on the bus. It started with “You’re Beautiful” written in that holy place and went from there with everyone contributing bits and pieces to the writing and singing.

$12.75

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"Closer Nearer"

  Emmaus have been active on the Christian rock circuit for a decade now and have an impressive string of previous releases behind them. Inspired by a monastic retreat in 1997, the stripped-down acoustic melodies of "Closer Nearer" were put on record - 'live' from the sitting room of Ronan and Joanne Johnston's home! (Ronan produced the album and co-wrote most of the songs, Joanne is one of this venture's four lead vocalists). The results, like the album cover (a modern painting of 'Elijah at Horeb' by Seiger Koder) are both arresting and inspiring.
  From the start, the feel of this album is one of simplicity, unhurried thoughtfulness and pure focus (all of this in fitting with the monastic setting of the album's genesis). Thus the worshipful beauty of 'Jesus Jesus touch me', and 'Jesus is the Lord', with it's early-Vineyard feel; the steady beat of 'Carry me' and 'Reach', both displaying Joanne's intriguing vocal talent, and the tender moodiness of 'Out of the blue', a down-to-earth lament based on Ps.120. Delicate piano and cello undertones add charm throughout, and a genuinely Celtic atmosphere is given to several tracks via the tin whistle and uillean pipes. Musical creativity is plentiful, and include the incantational chants of the unusual 'Yeah yeah Jesus is here', with it's layered harmony vocals, and the bold brass arrangement which adds fullness to the punchy 'I receive You'. Finally, the Lord's Prayer and Psalm 23 have been put to music in a hundred different forms, but the raw, uncluttered versions rendered on these closing tracks are both original and moving. (We don't have time to mention the 'hidden'
gospel anthem!)
  Poetic lyrics in a deeply meditational setting - Emmaus' new album is a sensitive and worshipful gem.

Review by tom lennie

  Mal Pope, Jon Bowen, Julie Costello

" Still Small Voice - Songs of Faith, Hope and Love"

  They've done it again - the team that produced "City of Gold" and "Shipwrecks" have come up with a fresh package of tunes, providing an inspirational touch that once again goes straight to the heart. The inter-related concepts of faith, hope and love are given thoughtful expression by three accomplished artists - each on a separate disc containing five songs and lasting around 20 minutes per disc. The songs are in the soft pop/inspirational category and are strongly infectious. The gentle folky sounds of Mal Pope and the crystal clarity of Julie Costello's graceful voice make for refreshing listening, while Jon Bowen, making a recording debut here, is definitely a singer/writer to watch for - he in fact co-wrote all five of his 'songs of hope' with the project's co-producer, Phil Baggaley.
  Once again combining various art forms, each of the CD booklets contains not only full song lyrics but some inspiring verses from a trio of contemporary poets (everything comes three-fold on this set!), as well as a deeply affecting sermon vignette from pastor Michael Mitton (who's reflections on 'love' brought tears to my eyes). This, along with some charming cover-art ensures one smart presentation.
  David Fitzgerald's sax-vibes add a warm zest to many tracks, while Mark Edwards, Dave Clifton and Dave Lyle Morris also give of their musical know-how. The result is a decidedly impressive performance who's message cannot fail to encourage and inspire. Sit back, relax and allow your soul to be touched.

Review by tom lennie

"Believe"

  No sooner does Brian Doerksen return from a highly profitable 2 year stint with Vineyard UK than he starts working on a fresh venture for Vineyard Canada! With a strong line-up including song-writers/lead vocalists David Ruis (another amazingly prolific worship artist), Daphne Rademaker and a host more, this is a recording of wonderful diversity, portraying the worship music of Canada at it's very best. And with 15 songs covering a whole 74 minutes, there's certainly plenty here to get enthused about. Angie VanDeMark sets the ball rolling with her own infectious anthem, simply titled 'Sing'. Graham Ord follows on with his foot-stomping 'I believe'- pure new country with added harmonica vibes. A definite country flavour is also to be savoured on 'So good' and David & Ron Wilding's upbeat 'Burn in me'. David Ruis shows the wide range of his musical abilities by contributing the deep and tender 'Lily of the valley' on the one hand, and the innovative and edgy 'WWW' on the other, both songs self-composed. Brian Doerksen, too, offers some fine material, especially on the poignant 'I see the cross' a classic Doerksen tune. As if all that's not enough, Melissa Boraski releases emotive worship on a new Andy Park song, while Daphne Rademaker appears with a selection of three fine tunes; a wonderfully passionate rendition of 'Fall on me' (also included as part of Rita Springer's "Created To Worship" repertoire); and two stilled, deeply sensitive pieces, (one self-penned), both revealing a Celtic-styled vocal beauty not unlike the sound of Iona's Joanne Hogg (a true compliment!).
  As you can tell, there's great music on offer, the genuine 'live' feel on some tracks giving added atmosphere (though several tracks were in fact studio-recorded). This is a wonderfully varied album which truly comes together. "Believe" is a cracker!

Review by tom lennie

CATCH THE FIRE 7
Dancing with the Father
from Toronto Airport Christian Church
Toronto, Canada
on the Kingsway Record Label
with worship leaders
Robert Critchley and Jeremy Sinnott

Catch the Fire is the signature conference of the Toronto Airport Christian Fellowship. Known for the “Toronto Blessing”, this church has been in continuous nightly revival meetings since January of 1994. (Seven complete years at the time this CD was released). Catch the Fire is an event where leaders from around the world have come and been empowered by the Holy Spirit.

 Songs :
  1.  All hail the power of Jesus name
  2.  Dancing with the Father
  3.  The Lord reigns
  4.  Take us to the river
  5.  Jesus Name above all names
  6.  I just want to love You
  7.  I will exalt You
  8.  I will come to the waters and drink
  9.  Draw me after You
10.  Holy holy holy Lord God Almighty
11.  Trading my sorrows
12.  History maker

TACF website

$13.50

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