"Deeper In The River"

  He's currently celebrating 15 years of music ministry, and with an output as rich and prolific as his, Ian White certainly has plenty to celebrate. One of the UK's best loved worship leaders (and certainly Scotland's favourite!), Ian once again serves up a platter of delight with his most recent venture. Like it's predecessor, "Deeper In The River" is a collection of songs for congregational use (and boy are they going to get used!), but unlike "Encounter", the audience participation here is kept to a minimum. Instead we are presented with an album of uncluttered beauty, Ian's clear vocals being enhanced throughout by the delectable harmony sounds of Helen Burgess.
  New songs almost all, the majority were written by Ian during a time of spiritual retreat in America in December 1999. Thus the soulful groove of the worshipful 'You're Messiah'; thus also the sensitive passion of the deeply moving 'Bridges', a classic Ian White worship ballad featuring (Ian's) beautiful piano accompaniment. Other tracks are more recent still. I
instantly recognized the catchy 'How it has to be' and the even more infectious(!) 'The battle of the mind', Ian having 'previewed' these songs at a concert in my home town earlier this year. The title track too is most delightful and, along with the simplicity and truth of the gentler 'Love mercy', is sure to become a highly popular song of worship far and wide.
Elsewhere Ian dedicates a track to the human rights group CSW (Christian Solidarity World-wide), who's work is ever close to his heart, and another to unity amongst the churches.
  With strong (never over-powering) lead/bass guitars and drums from Phil Lidstone, Ross Hamilton and Dan Duggan respectively, this album is an inspirational treasure - inviting, encouraging, sensitive, profound. If you haven't yet experienced the worship sounds of Ian White, then one has to ask where you have been, and for just how much longer you intend to miss out?

Review by tom lennie

"Psalms 4"

  Another fine assembly of musical Psalms, including numerous catchy upbeat sounds such as Ps.48 with it's infectious off-beat swing, and the delightful Carribean lilt of Ps.81. Others, like Psalms 49 and 60, are deliberately serious or somber, totally in keeping with the mood of the writer. Ps.65, like many others here, contains a gorgeous melody line, and also includes fine sax atmospherics. An amazing feature of this Psalm's series, obvious to anyone who gives the music a serious listen, is how diverse his song-writing really is. Even taking all 6 volumes into account, I can't think of any two songs that sound samey! Certainly every one of  these 12 songs is a winner - making the album a true worshipful delight.

"Psalms 5"

  Taking all the biblical Psalms from No's 90 to 100 inclusive, this album shows great variety in Ian's musical expression, revealing a songwriter par excellence. Recorded in Edinburgh, it is the only album in the Psalms series not produced by the multi-talented Chris Eaton. Rather "Psalms 5" was produced by Ian himself. 'Sing for Joy' (Ps 95) especially is stunning, with both Ian and his choir singing two different but complimentary melodies at the same time. Gorgeous stuff!

"Psalms 6"

  This is the last in the Psalms series, being recorded in England, Northern Ireland and in Gary Chapman's studio in Nashville Tennessee! When you think that by now he must have exhausted all possible musical expressions to the
Psalms, he comes up with a stunning fresh output of gorgeous melodies! Best of all, it's spiritually very encouraging. 'Holy and Awesome' is particularly powerful, and 'On the Path' (based on Psalm 119, though not all of it!) is wonderfully tender. A classic recording.

"Simply The Best"

  Choosing the best overall of Ian White's 'Psalms' for a compilation album must have been a challenging task. In this series, Ian set over half the biblical Psalms to his own original music; no mean feat considering the quality of his material. Here we have 15 favorites from vol's 1-6, plus 1 new recording; of Ps 116. An excellent compilation, at great value,
portraying this unique Scottish musician at "Simply The Best".

"Forgiveness"

  Ian White is a true musical craftsman. He excels in the recording-studio, where he can freely experiment with sounds and styles. Combine this talent with the ever-excellent production qualities of fellow-musician Chris Eaton and you get one cooking album!
  Such is "Foregiveness", with a sound as beautiful and profound as the stunning album-cover (a painting by his brother Peter, a professional artist). Each song has it's own varied story-of -origin, as personally shared by Ian in the sleeve-notes.
  Expressing his usual wide gifting as a song-smith, Ian includes songs about the power of forgiveness (deeply impressive), Freemasonry, the end-times and Christmas. You don't get much more varied than that! Also contained ofcourse are gorgeous and unique songs of worship to the Father.
  This is indeed a true music feast.

"Faith Story"

  Another stirring yet encouraging collection, expressing Ian's ongoing walk of faith. This album contains great vocals and great diversity, including, for example, the Celtic-sounding 'Kirie' and 'Spirit of The Lord', and the totally accappella 'Jesus in Me', showing the strength of this musician's voice. 'Precious' and 'Giving You all of My Heart' are Ian White classics;
wonderful ear-catching songs of praise to the Lord. This is a very special collection.

"Christ is Risen"

  "Christ is Risen" is a concept album with, as is partly suggested by it's title, the theme of the Passion and Resurrection. Ten songs based on these momentous events, including the serious tones of 'Gethsemane' the wonderfully flowing 'The Cross is still there' and the joyous swing of 'Resurrection Day'. Included also are Ian's interpretations of several well-known hymns. 'Thine be the glory' is an ear-catching rouser, with great choral accompaniment, while 'And can it be' is beautifully stilling and totally acoustic. Pity these two songs didn't last a bit longer! Ian also gives the words to 'Thine be the glory' completely new musical expression, and follows with a charming and fitting song of blessing, bringing another successful venture to a close.

"Philippi"

  Right in the middle of his Psalm-recording period, which lasted from 1985 to 1992, Ian released a studio album of his own diverse material. Included is the biblical story-in-song of Paul's imprisonment in Philippi, another of Jonah and the big fish, a love song dedicated to his wife, Carol, and a beautifully sensitive 2-song worship ballad, the second part of which is still a popular choice at his live concerts. Despite it's intrigue however, this is probably my least favourite Ian White album.

Reviews by tom lennie