Reviewed by Steven Whitehead

Over the years Regent Records of Wolverhampton has built up an excellent reputation for recording interesting and well presented surveys of organ music, giving equal emphasis to the instrument, the musician and the repertoire. On this release the title, 'French Flavours', tells us what to expect and, true to form, the contents deliver. Organ enthusiasts will be interested to know that this is the first solo recording of the magnificent Walker organ in St Chad's Cathedral, played by Birmingham-based organist, Paul Carr, in his début recording. He gives us a brilliantly-colourful programme of French and French-inspired works, chosen to match the distinctively-Gallic character of the St Chad's organ. There is a wealth of organ music from France available for selection so we are pleased to report that Carr has not be afraid to take us off the beaten track and give us some very pleasant surprises. Purcell's "Trumpet Tune" would not be on many lists of French compositions but here, in Marcel Dupre's arrangement, it fits as does David Briggs' "Variations On Greensleeves". Briggs also provides an arrangement for a suite (the second one) from Ravel's 'Daphnis et Chloe' and, by now, astute readers will see why this CD, enjoyable though it is, cannot aspire to a high score on the 'Cross Rhythms' scale. Although it is played on a cathedral organ there is absolutely nothing that has any discernable Christian content. It is an entertaining collection, played and recorded very well indeed, but of interest only to lovers of French tunes and collectors of organ music.

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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