Reviewed by Tony Cummings

To my mind, Ian Yates is one of the best British worship leaders and songwriters and is up there with the Redmans and Hughes. Several of his songs, creatively produced by 7Core Music's Trevor Michael, have long enriched my spiritual life. This latest set is again truly memorable, the opener "Highwire" having already connected with Cross Rhythms listeners since its release as a single. Starting with little more than piano and voice and building to a surging anthem, it is a song deserving of the widest exposure. Ian is one of those rare songwriters who is able to pen words of stark simplicity (eg, "You always hold me/Now I'm holding onto you") and have them sounding both eloquent and sincere. There is another fine song in "Dream Again". In an era of TV talent searches and positive psychology claptrap we are awash with "believe the dream" exhortations which are nothing but hollow appeals to our self-centredness and vanity. "Dream Again" is a very different kind of song opening us to God-breathed dreams that are essential if we are to move from our spiritual torpor. All the songs on 'Awaken To Love' are Ian Yates compositions with two daring exceptions. "No Longer" takes the ancient hymn "At The Cross" written by Isaac Watts (1674-1748) and with a fresh coat of production paint (love that single thudding kick drum every four bars) and an uplifting chorus ("It is no longer I, it is Christ who lives in me") Ian and Trevor turn it into an anthem which would work in any football stadium or backstreet church hall. Even more daring is Ian's take on "All You Need Is Love". Yes, it's the Beatles' song, and with a couple of minor adjustments to take out some of the inherent jollity of the Lennon/McCartney melody you find it's a song which fits perfectly on an album expressing our feelings towards the God who is love.

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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