Reviewed by Matthew Cordle

As of 2011 Shelia Walsh has been recording Christian music for 30 years. I remember listening to 'Future Eyes' when it was released back in 1981 at the tender age of 10, as well as arguing with my parents a few years later about going to her concerts as they were concerned at her "inappropriate and rebellious clothing!" With considerable irony, the last two decades has seen the singer transform her music and her image to become an established MOR/inspirational singer with a middle-aged, middle-of-the-road audience has in recent years become better known as a speaker and authoress though she has never stopped recording music. For those who don't know Shelia's music, she has a beautiful soprano voice, albeit one that often seems more at home singing musicals, Celtic music or even opera-tinged anthems rather than straight on pop songs. This collection accompanies Shelia's Let's Go book and is lyrically focused on laying down one's burdens and living in freedom in God. The themes are firmly rooted in Scripture, opening on a note of high praise with "Gloria" celebrating the "song of heaven." This is followed by well known anthems like Townend's "In Christ Alone" as well as an Italian/English duet rendition of "The Prayer" with David Phelps, along with tracks like the title song penned by Chris Eaton. Stylistically, there is nothing new here but production quality is lush and in particular the CD is filled with gorgeous strings across most tracks. However, this actually has the effect of reducing the overall impact and making it all seem just too comfortable and predictable. Consequently, Jennie Lee Riddle's wonderful "Revelation Song" just doesn't have the raw emotion that Kari Jobe's interpretation offers while the cheesy key change in "Amazing Grace" is completely unnecessary.

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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