Reviewed by Susan Mansfield

Readers of CD sleeve small print will recognise the name Phil Madeira as the chap who plays hot organ on dozens of Nashville sessions. He's also no mean guitarist. On his own-label album, it's a one-man-and-a-guitar sound honed by sophisticated production. It's got the catchiness of country (made in Nashville, after all) and the throaty sadness of blues. It's like the Eagles singing baritone, music for driving through the Arizona desert with the wind in your hair watching the sun set over the cacti. Madeira croons about looking for love and trying to hear the voice of God in a low tuneful voice that always sounds like it's coming from the bottom of his heart. While "Wicked Job" is pure country - a song about misery sung as if he hasn't a care in the world, "Meant To Be" is pure blues - a song about belonging, full of sadness. Easy on the ears, tough on the heart, Madeira has a kind of complicated sincerity a lot of Christian music lacks.

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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