Dave Bilbrough - People Of Promise

Published Monday 9th June 2008
Dave Bilbrough - People Of Promise
Dave Bilbrough - People Of Promise

STYLE: MOR / Soft Pop
RATING 6 6 6 6 6 6
OUR PRODUCT CODE: 45783-14140
LABEL: Independent
FORMAT: CD Album
ITEMS: 1
RRP: £4.99

Reviewed by Tom Lennie

We all know Dave Bilbrough for classic worship choruses like "Abba Father", "All Hail The Lamb" and "I Am A New Creation". But these songs are all a good 20 years old. Although he's brought out repeated worship albums since that time, few of his many later songs, unfortunately, have been particularly noteworthy. 'People Of Promise', Dave's newest venture, and independently released, consists of "grace-centred songs...that remind us of our togetherness and unity." An interesting feature is that the songs were rehearsed and arranged on the spot and recorded straight away, with all musicians present in the same room - thus, apparently, giving an organic feel to the sound. Characteristic of Dave, several tunes here carry a rather inauthentic-sounding country tinge. Others, like the banjo-led skiffle, "Cause Me To Walk" and "Come Let Us Sing" are upbeat in flavour and, it has to be admitted, somewhat annoyingly infectious. But the tunes tend to be a tad simplistic and the lyrics invariably cliched. Without question, Bilbrough is at his best on the more stripped-down numbers, where a greater sense of intimacy and vulnerability and a deeper spirituality are apparent.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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Reader Comments

Posted by tom lennie @ 00:02 on Jun 29 2008

Hi 'James'. Well, I'm sorry you don't agree with my review, although I do make some quite positive remarks about certain features of this album. Perhaps roots/acoustic would have been a better category to put the music under - you have a point there, (although I think it could be argued that some tracks better equally well into the MOR/soft Pop category). But I think I would change it to Roots if i could.
A few of your other points are quite strong - eg, that I have no idea what I'm talking about, probably don't know much about music period, and that I'm unable to handle the 'grace message'.....fairly personal remarks, 'james'..........
I think ultimately we just have to agree to disagree. You think this album pushes the boundaries and is refreshingly different - I return to my comment that DB is at his best on the more stripped-down numbers, where he's more vulnerable and where a greater sense of intimacy comes over.......




Posted by James @ 15:25 on Jun 10 2008

I personally think the person who wrote this review has no idea what he is talking about. He probably doesn't have much knowledge of music period! I have the album I think it's actually refreshing for someone to do something that is called "different" in this worship scene, just because it doesn't sound like the others (who I won't name) doesn't mean it's not good. Yes some of the songs are infectious--why is this fact annoying? Maybe it's a case that the grace message is too much to handle?? I think Dave Bilbrough continues to push the boundaries. If the reviewer had properly listened to the album then he would realise that its style is rootsy and not soft pop which you have put in the style catergory (your first mistake my friend). This album is authentic which is something I have not heard in the worship scene for a very long time.



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