Reviewed by Lins Honeyman

Completing a trilogy of sorts, this satisfyingly raw collection of original gospel blues numbers by experienced Northern Irish troubadour Brian Houston carries on where 'Gospel Road' and 'Shelter' left off and simply hits the spot. With Houston doing everything bar the drums (played here in thundering fashion by the wonderful Peter Comfort), this 10-track offering has a delightfully down home feel to it with the likes of "My Debts Is Paid", "Come On Home To Jesus" and the stomping "Momma Prayed" all extoling Jesus' saving grace whilst sounding like they've come out of some backwater town in the Deep South. Vocally, Houston nowadays seems most at home in gospel territory and tracks like "Jesus Wrote His Name Upon My Heart", "Devil Gonna Run" and the John Lee Hooker borrow "Good News (Loves Like A Weapon)" see him holler, whisper and wail - almost within the same breath - as he tells his stories of faith with trademark passion and intensity. Often overshadowed by his stage presence and vocal power, special mention must go to the man's lead and rhythm guitar work which, thanks to its raucous and seemingly spontaneous nature on this collection, helps make the whole album impossibly sound as though it was nailed live in the studio on the first take.

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