Reviewed by Dave Massey

Famed actress and TV personality makes a gospel album. There is a market for this album, but it's not amongst the readers of this magazine! When you think that some 3-4 million people watch 'Songs Of Praise' or 'Highway', then the market is potentially huge. Musically and lyrically, the songs are weak at best and I'm sure that better material could have been found. When you think of some of the good unpublished songs and songwriters that there are around, it is particularly galling. The readings of poetry and prose by the likes of Frank Topping and Gerard Manly Hopkins, had a cringe factor of 10 for me but will delight the audience that the recording is aimed at, I have no doubt. The piano and orchestral arrangements are boring and predictable with only the competent musicianship of the players to commend them. Wendy's singing needs some support with a few more backing vocals than there are, but the spoken sections (content apart) are very well done as you would expect from an actress of her stature. "I'm Growing" is not an album that I will listen to more than once.

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.