Reviewed by Tony Cummings

Paul is a Nottingham based pop gospeller whose built up quite a following, particularly on the Methodist church circuit over the years. This self-produced set has some snappy contemporary arrangements, a voice which occasionally resembles a certain Cliff Richard (can't be bad) and some above average songs. The two tracks from the 'Damascus Road' musical tend to spoil the continuity a little, but all in all a highly competent effort.

Also reviewed in CR5:
British Christian music needs all the encouragement it can get and it really pains me to say this but, I really don't like this album at all. And I hasten to add, it's not because it hasn't got the megabucks production or genius playing that graces virtually every American Christian album - it's simply that the songs are weak. This is what I thought Christian music sounded like before I became a Christian and I hadn't actually heard any. Side 1 passes by in a wave of lightweight mediocrity with the exception of "Painting By Numbers" which features some of the strangest lyrics (as do many of the tracks!) as well as a hideous trombone solo which sounds like George Chisholm desperately looking for 'street cred' and "Janie" which blatantly steals the "Wages Day" riff and lets loose the mad trombone player again. Side 2 offers no relief from side 1 really and is a bit of a chore to listen to all the way through. Paul's voice isn't actually all that bad and reminds me of Graham Gouldman from 10.C.C. But really he ought to take some advice from the album title and get some writers "Hands to Help".
4
Paul Kinvig

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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