Reviewed by Tony Cummings

Echoing the Roberto Sozo poem printed on the sleeve Garth continues his drive to articulate the voice for the oppressed and suffering. He does so with luminous integrity and songs like "Nicaragua", "I Saw Three Ships" (based loosely on the folk carol though these ships are bringing in coca cola, TV preachers and the CIA) and "So This Is War" all resonate with passion. The plusses on 'Stronger Than The Storm' are some fine playing - look out particularly for the emotive slide from old reliable Bryn Haworth - minuses are some rather dull melodies (for instance "Beautiful Corn Island" can't sustain interest despite its emotive lyric). For me the most moving songs were "You Are Loved (Stephen Lawrence)", a song about a senseless racial attack perpetrated on the streets of Eltham and "Oh Palestine", a prayer for that most troubled of nations. Despite his vocal limitations and occasionally creaking melodies, veteran Garth still ably demonstrates compassion for a suffering world.

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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