STYLE: Ambient/Meditational RATING OUR PRODUCT CODE: 128614-19520 LABEL: Encounter 98492 FORMAT: CD Album ITEMS: 1 RELEASE DATE: 2012-08-01 RRP: £9.99
Reviewed by Brendan O'Regan
Light some candles, turn down the lights and put yourself in the presence of the Lord. These musical meditations, reminiscent at times of Ludovico Einaudi, make an ideal background for quiet time with reflective prayer. As the sleevenotes suggest the dominant theme is the "very presence of the King". The melodies may not be that memorable, and the arrangements are rather sparse, but at least they won't distract from prayer. They are pleasant and appealing without being particularly striking and both players are obviously very accomplished. While some of the instrumentals were apparently spontaneous to a large degree, I particularly liked the well-crafted songs. Sarah Clay's vocals are clear, reflective and intimate, suitable for quiet prayer. "Dwelling Place" is the best of the songs, but "Wind Of The Spirit", the longest track at over 16 minutes, is quite distinctive with its intermittent vocals and long instrumental passages. Breath and spirit are prominent motifs, with the flutes and the occasionally whispering quality of the singing enhancing the effect. A lyric sheet would have been helpful, but the sparse introductory notes about the album concept are interesting.
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Product Description
Being With You is an album of soaking and prophetic worship with David Hadden on piano, keys and synths and Sarah Clay on vocals, flute, alto flute, bass flute and pan flute.
“It is such an overwhelming privilege to come into the very presence of the King. When we do, we begin to realise more and more that being with Him is the very reason we were created. He satisfies every longing, every desire, every passion; and yet this makes us thirstier than ever before! Our heart’s cry is to be with Him. And God’s yearning desire is to be with us.
“Being With You was recorded over two days. As we began to play and sing, presence and anointing began to fill the room. Much of what you will listen to is spontaneous even though there are some songs here that already existed.
“We pray that, as you listen and soak to this CD, you will catch from heaven what we caught as we ministered to the Lord.” - David Hadden and Sarah Clay.