STYLE: Pop RATING OUR PRODUCT CODE: 157672-23176 LABEL: Independent FORMAT: CD Album ITEMS: 1
Reviewed by Lins Honeyman
The praise group from Watford's Wellspring Church has released its debut live worship album and, as is the norm of many modern worship releases, proceedings kicks off in energetic fashion with "Running After You" and "Oh What Joy" both setting the scene for a release that seeks to praise God at every turn. Before long, the Wellspring collective settle down to a more considered pace and, whilst the fairly formulaic material on offer here can't be described as groundbreaking, both band and singers show an obvious passion and skill that gives each track the lift it requires. Unfortunately the bigger-sounding numbers are hampered by a distractingly poor drum sound and the whole album suffers from a mix that is flat and muddy so it's something of a relief when things are stripped right back to nothing much more than an acoustic guitar and a couple of voices and this is where the folks from Wellspring really come into their own. In particular, the sparse instrumentation on the old hymns "How Great Thou Art" and "It Is Well" allows a supreme and simply breathtaking vocal performance from visiting Texan Meredith Jones to dazzle whilst the likes of impassioned slow burners "This Is Holy Ground" and "Let Your Praise Arise" close an album of stirring praise.
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.
Interested in reviewing music? Find out
more here.