Reviewed by David Faulkner

Orange County's Pasquale Talarico attended a Passion Conference in the States in 2005 and was inspired by seeing David Crowder and Chris Tomlin. He wanted to devote himself to Christian music. Nothing unusual in that. Except that, rather than being from the charismatic-evangelical background of so many CCM artists, Talarico is a Catholic and has been a youth worker in an RC parish. For this seven-track mini-album, he recruited stellar sessioners such as guitarist Jerry McPherson and saxophonist Mark Douthit. Indeed, Douthit's contributions are perhaps the most distinctive. Much of the CD is consistently mid-paced Tomlin/Redman style - so much so that tracks which sound excellent heard on their own get lost among others of similar tempo. Douthit's sax, though, presents just about everywhere, at least giving Talarico a sound that differs from the usual edifice of guitar and keyboard chords. While I was hoping that a Catholic contribution would bring a distinctive artistry into play (think of the positive reputations Catholics have in other spheres of the arts), the devotional lyrics are warm but not distinguishable. Nevertheless, if Talarico can add some more light and shade and some lyrical originality, there is a huge talent simmering that could come to the boil.

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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