Reviewed by Tony Cummings

After producing his masterpiece ‘The Picture Changes’ back in 1992, I’ve been waiting for funky drummer producer Bill Maxwell, to do the same again with the gravel-voiced veteran, for quite a while. The first few cuts suggested that, now that the CCM veteran has his own label, he’s back on creative form. Listen to those sinuous Knoeppler-style guitar licks weaving its way around Phil’s voice on the hauntingly “Jesus Be My Friend”, which suddenly switches from a mid tempo shuffle to a slow blues workout. Or the classic ballad “Best Thing That Ever Happened To Me” performed a la Ray Charles, slow and crunchy. Then came track four. A neo-reggae shuffle and Phil’s soaring trumpet (am I alone in wishing Phil would leave his horn at home) could have made “My Father’s Eyes” a disaster. It isn’t that, but somehow the magic no longer shines. “Light Out Of Darkness” is theatrical Vegas soul, complete with glissando-cascading concert grand, and though “Can You Feel It” has a tasty jazz funk groove, the listener still comes away with an impression of a curate’s egg rather than a classic album. For committed Driscoll fans only.

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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