"The Turning"

  Effecting an alternative worship experience that would surely be considered unsuitable at most churches' Sunday morning service(!), this four-piece from Chico Vineyard, California turn out, on this their second album, a most innovative and challenging output, recorded live at their home fellowship. With truly impressive lead vocals, the band is fronted by
singer/keyboardist Justin Converse who wrote - or co-wrote along with guitarist Brent Holland - the biggest whack of the material (both their wives do occasional backing vocals).
  The band is obviously influenced by the edgy, provocative style of David Ruis - a mentor to many young worship leaders - and two of his early songs are passionately re-worked here. Definite musical inspiration too from Irish mega-stars U2 - who once clung strongly to their Christian roots - and their beautiful 1983 psalm '40' is also given atmospheric rendition. Some of these dozen+ songs are given steady, unhurried treatment; many others though are bold and almost aggressive in nature, as these 'musical ministers' endeavour to quicken the minds and spirits of believers with their uncompromising
message. Indeed it's this consistent message (especially found in those self-penned compositions) that really arrests the conscience of this listener - a message of repentance, of generational reconciliation, of utter abandonment to God. Evidence;-

'We've got nothing left to loose / our lives laid down is what we choose' - Revival Generation
'Not satisfied I've had enough / you'll find me here on bended knee' - Start a Revolution
'I'm wasting my life on You / I'm not holding back' - Extravagant
'We are broken now / tears are falling / sounds of weeping fathers and children - The Turning
'I've reached the end of who I am / it is the place where You begin' - End of Who I Am

Transparent honesty also soaks the prayer cry 'Longing for Now' - you need to hear it all for full effect. "The Turning" is indeed a musically adventurous and spiritually communicative album. If the words of these songs come truly from the hearts of their writers then there can be no doubt that God is already doing a mighty work in their lives. May each of us seek the same.

Review by tom lennie

"Beautiful Tapestry"

  Being co-worship pastor at Toronto Airport Christian Fellowship, and having featured on several of TACF's "Catch The Fire" performances as well as numerous solo projects, Robert Critchley's music has literally traversed the globe. In contrast to some of the exuberant celebratory praise usually associated with The Toronto Blessing, this musical mosaic captures a more intimate worship expression, a pleasant tapestry woven together with Critchley compositions old and (mainly) new.
  The first part contains a stream of wonderfully flowing congregational worship recorded live at the TACF. Among them is the hugely popular 1988 'What a faithful God' with guest lead vocals from Nicole Smith - the testimony behind this song is movingly recounted in the sleeve-inserts - and the tender 8-minute 'Draw me after You', a piano-based Scott Brenner type
ballad. The remaining tracks were studio-recorded and include the title-track, subtitled 'The wedding song' - an expression of marital commitment sung here by John and Jan Finnochio - and the unusual 'Father's love letter', containing a gentle progression of Bible-promises voiced-over to light musical backing. The final three tracks are gorgeously delicate
instrumentals - 'soaking songs' intended to instill peace, inspiration and a sense of God's presence in the heart of the worshipper.
  Sounds from Kelly Warren's flute grace many tunes, as do some tasty sax bursts and of course Robert's piano touch. Herein lies music that is irresistibly worshipful, music that touches the soul. Herein lies a beautiful tapestry.

Review by tom lennie

"All The Earth"

  Hey - what's going on in Texas? No sooner has my excitement over the Irving Bible Church's formidable debut disc begun to recede than I uncover another local church box of delights - this time from Morning Star Christian Church in Dallas! We find the same ingredients - musical integrity, a deep sense of spiritual commitment and a diverse range of styles and sounds - a worthy combination indeed.
  Main worship leader Travis Jones is also the album's predominant song-writer - he opens with a couple of vibrant songs of praise, before introducing a hot slice of funk-praise ala Lincoln Brewster! The funk element is found again on the more rocky 'I choose life', while a definite Latin flavour is evident on the powerful, vibey 'Spirit of might' anthem. Mixed in amongst all this are some deeply tender moments. 'Always' is a wonderfully serene reflection on our security in Christ; while the tender vocals of Kim Worke on the 6-min soft shuffle 'Without You' are equally moving. Jenny Lewis takes lead mike on the gorgeous 'Day and night', and Melissa Glaros on the simple, focused 'One' (partly sung in Spanish). A
swirling fast'n'furious bonus track completes the picture on this 'consecrated worship' occasion - revealing here, as elsewhere, the electric guitar wizardry of Jimmy Wallace.
  "All The Earth" (the title, like several of the songs, is based on the Psalms) is ably produced by percussionist Raymond Boyd (who also worked with Roger Hodges on his excellent last recording). With some terrific songs and a full play-time of 64 minutes, this is certainly an album worth writing home about!

Review by tom lennie

"Way Gone Place"

  Having undergone a namechange after that unusual but inspiring psalms collection "Selah", this highly innovative British Columbian band serve up a stunning contemporary folk-rock selection with their latest venture. Lead singer Heather Clark is clearly the main inspiration in the band's direction - she penned the music and non-cliched lyrics to all 14 brand new
songs, and it's her strong, emotive vocals that truly stand out on every track. Both her striking voice and the band's infectiously rootsy style pave way for obvious comparisons with Jennifer Knapp (perhaps on occasions also to the early sound of Sarah Masen).
  The fresh, vibrant punch given to tracks such as the 'You and I', with it's quirky harmonica vibes, and the potent 'Price of love', which builds into a strong, upbeat chorus, reveals both the strength of musicianship and quality of compositions. Some other tracks, though, carry a more reflective, sometimes even melancholy strain, as Heather expresses, in a lyrical manner not always easy to discern(!), the hurts and pains that life invariably throws at us. Thus the moving ache of 'Farewell' and recollections of an unloving father in 'Daddy'. 'Dancing girl' reflects Heather's own passion for contemporary movement, while songs like 'Deeper' and 'Pearl of great price', with it's graceful strings, evoke profound spiritual impressions.
  With strong guitar/percussion throughout, this is one hot cake of an album. Thoroughly creative, deeply emotional - "Way Gone Place" deserves widespread recognition. I hope it gets it.

Review by tom lennie

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