“Dark am i Yet Lovely”

  Since the release of her last (co-)recording - which was only a few months ago! - much has been happening in the Revivaltown camp. After three years together, the heatherclarkband is officially no more (though they still play together occasionally); Heather and Nolan's new Kamloops Jesus School has commenced with it's first intake of young student 'zealots' ;......oh...and beautiful boy-bundle Josiah appeared in August, weighing in at 9lbs, 3oz!

  As well as all that there's been Heather's work with her dance project 'Emotion'.....and of course, the making of this disc! - the most recent in the prodigious Praying The Bible series, several previous recordings to which hc and b have also contributed. Co-written by Ms Clark along with Remnant Records' Andrew Smith and Brian Wiebe (who also produced the venture and did much of the instrumental work), these melodies are based on those frank and intimate love passages in the Song of Songs, oscillating between the beloved's desolation at the bridegroom's absence and the joy and relish of his embrace on being found. Heather's versatile vocals capture these changing emotions well, the moodiness of some tracks being especially accentuated by various strings, percussion and - particularly on 'Who is this' - haunting sax vibes. In keeping with the Book, the drama ends optimistically with the powerful charm of 'Unquenched love'.

  While the opening 'Kisses of your mouth' and 'Faint with love' contain most catchy hook lines, these are hardly songs suitable for congregational use! But they do reveal one fascinating, creative and deeply empathetic interpretation of the feelings / thoughts of two lovers in love. Dark Yet Lovely resonates with the heartbeat of passionate love; raising the question - do our hearts pound with similar love for the Lord?

"Vial Of Worship"

  The year 2001 has already proved a busy one for this Canadian band - a string of gigs and conferences, Heather's co-appearance with David Ruis on the "Cry Mercy" venture, and now - "Vial of Worship". Recorded live at 'The Feast', a church planted by Heather and husband Nolan in 1998, this collection of totally new songs generates more 'accessible' worship than the charmingly eclectic 'Selah' or the creative and contemporary "Way Gone Place".

  There's something wonderfully compelling about this team's worship style - their bright, upbeat songs, such as 'Celebration', 'Worthy' and 'Perfect Salvation'', are a bold and punchy delight, and also reveal the musical tightness of this band. But the slower, more intimate tracks are every bit as convincing - these climax in the Rita Springer influenced 'I am longing', where Heather loses herself in a 7.5 min wave of worship. The focus everywhere is one of pure, rich adoration and culminates in 'Robed in splendour', a delightfully catchy anthem, sure to become a favourite and leaving you wondering why no-one wrote this before!

  A couple of other vocalists find lead expression here too - including guitarist Wes Johnson on two tracks. Dance may be Ms Clark's main passion - but contemporary worship sure makes a glorious past-time! If the thought of Jennifer Knapp in unflinching worship mode appeals to you, then I can tell you - you'll love "Vial of Worship"!

Reviews by tom lennie

“CRY MERCY”

  If you are planning a lazy relaxing evening, with a cup of coffee and some calming music, then this new Ruis LIVE CD is NOT for you!  In 1997 David traveled into the poverty-stricken third world Himalayan regions. God moved in David’s heart and produced a dramatic change in his music and life.  He has realized that many of us go through life with blinkers over our eyes, and are unaware of the pain and suffering that affects the world’s children. They are “the world’s most unprotected species!”

  Recorded at Avalanche 2000 in May, this record is a bold step of passionate prayer and intercession by a well-known Vineyard worship leader.  Made up of mainly prayer like chanting, delivered with heart-rending enthusiasm.  The music is rhythmic; almost dance like, with heavy, grunge-like guitars blasting out of the speakers.  David has a lot of guts to release this kind of a record!  But he is telling a listening public that to be quiet and uninvolved will not save the millions of kids who are poor and sold into sex slavery.  There is no way that such horror’s could be sung about other than in this provocative live atmosphere.

  I was moved by the sorrowful “Cry Mercy,” which leads into a song about the church being ready. “Awaken the Church,” features a hypnotic voice asking are we ready for this?  There are many shouts for justice and vocal gymnastics to portray the message of this record. Plus all the proceeds go to the www.hopeforthenations.com  movement.  This type of record is definitely not for everyone, but after two or three listens it did move me to think that there is so much that is the same in general Christian music, this is the sound of adventure!!  This is the sound of an atmosphere charged with hope and emotion and at times threatening and foreboding. Certainly listening to the thousands of voices chanting “JESUS” thrills the soul!  I would have liked to hear more effects added to David’s voice.  But the fact that he thunders out over the hard-core music mix, adds to the pleading prayer of these experimental songs.

  So sit back if you can! Turn up the volume; join with thousands of roaring youth as David, with the help of enigmatic worship leader Heather Clark, put you through the ringer! Then DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS MESSAGE!

Review by Bill Mason

By The Tree “Invade My Soul”

  By the Tree is an accomplished rock band with a gift for writing catchy, rock-pop worship songs. They are a mixture of Among Thorns, Tree 64 and Switchfoot. This is not a bad thing. They have assimilated the current sounds of these bands mixed with their own favorites and produced a satisfying menu.

  Chuck Dennie with his longtime collaborator, Kevin Rhodes, writes most of the songs. These two are very distinct in their looks and personality, as described in their bio at www. Bythetree.com. Yet they compliment each other’s music and we, the listeners are rewarded.  The CD catches you immediately, from the beginning with “Reveal,” then onto the furiously paced “There for me,” surely a favorite song LIVE. I enjoyed the way the drums seemed to get so out of control that they appear to fall over each other in their haste to reach the end of the song, before the voices and guitars!

  Next we have a Beatlesque sounded string dominated song, leading into a PFR type of song, “Open my eyes,” but listener beware, for your ears are treated to some gorgeous acoustic guitars in the next two songs, some of the best I have heard. In fact on repeated listens, I was struck by how predominate the acoustic guitar is.  The title track is up next, “Invade my soul,” a song that has it all! Great effects, and a worshipful Middle 8 section, again with wonderful acoustic guitar, creating a song that is easy to remember and sing along with. “Wonderful again,” is a departure from the first four songs. Strings create a kind of baroque-rock atmosphere, accompanied by echoes and vocal twists. By the Tree hope that the listener will be transported into worship mode and praise God for all He has done for us.  The last track looks back to the old time Hymns as it segues into “’Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus.”

 Steve Hindalong, (the Choir), and Bob Wohler, (Third day and Caedmon’s Call) have collaborated together, as they did on the very successful “City on a Hill,” to produce a record that, if it can get away from the pack that runs in this congested rock-pop market, deserves to be heard by a lot more than the large fan base they have established in TX, their home state. This is a satisfying and accomplished record, drop it into your shopping basket and let God “invade your soul.”

Review by Bill Mason