The latest part of the ongoing series chronicling, in no particular order, the greatest 1001 recordings made by Christian artists
Continued from page 14
168. THE PRAYER CHAIN - I BELIEVE, 1993. From the EP
'Whirlpool', Reunion.
Classic indie rock with one of my
favourite lyrics - stark and magnificent. "I don't care if you lay
your hands on your brother/I don't care if you baptise, you believe in
water/I don't care if you say you can prophesy/I don't care if you say
you can see the light behind my eyes/I don't care if you close your
eyes to pray/Or lift your hands up, lift your hands up to the sky/And
I don't know about wonders and signs/All I know is the love of Jesus
Christ/I believe in one God/I believe in Truth/I believe in one
God/And I believe in you." Over that rich and billowing groove this is
spirit-engaging rock music.
Tony Cummings
169. SISTER ROSETTA THARPE AND KATE BELL NUBIN - NINETY NINE
AND A HALF WON'T DO, 1949. From the album 'The Complete Sister Rosetta
Tharpe Vol 3: 1947-1951', Frémeaux & Associés.
Sister Rosetta brought the worldly wise swing of the nightclubs into
the evolution of gospel and a delicious, lightly rocking sound it was
too. Here aided by some magnificent blues piano from session stalwart
Sam Price and Rosetta's trusty hammered acoustic, the two sisters
remind us that 99 and a half percent commitment to Christ won't do.
Tony Cummings
170. DENIECE WILLIAMS - EVERY MOMENT (SPECIAL REMIX), 1986.
From the single, MCA.
Niecey has never quite recaptured
the magic of her debut gospel album for Sparrow 'So Glad I Know' and
this remix, pepped up for club land, gave an even more thrilling edge
to the combination of that purringly soulful voice, a solid R&B
groove and a song of devotion to Christ.
Tony Cummings
As published in CR23, 1st October 1994
171. NINA ASTROM - A MATTER OF TIME, 1993. From the
album 'A Matter Of Time', Myrrh.
The exceedingly
understated and laid back nature of Nina's album debut meant that I
was slow to recognise the pure, luminous beauty of this title track.
But now I have "A Matter Of Time" is a song I'll return to time and
time again. An achingly tender, bitter-sweet contemplation on the part
time has in the healing of pain. Nina's beautiful voice and eloquently
restrained keyboards make this one of the most moving ballads
Christendom has ever produced.
Tony Cummings
172. MUSTARD SEED FAITH - SIDNEY THE PIRATE, 1976. From the
various artists album 'Maranatha Five', Maranatha! Music.
Oden Fong, singer, songwriter and driving force behind '70s Jesus
Music pioneers Mustard Seed Faith, remains one of the most talented
and underrated talents in Christian music. His now unfashionable
musical armoury is one of reflective poignancy and this delightful
narrative song is about a swashbuckling pirate who eventually finds
faith set in a gentle piece of Californian soft harmony rock with lush
orchestral accompaniment.
Tony Cummings
173. SYCO - LOV 1 ANOTHER (NEIGHBOUR MIX), 1992. From the
album 'Kommand', E-Beat.
A dance classic which hangs
around the hypnotic sample of a chap asking "What commandment?" and
being answered by a righteously wailing sister telling us to love one
another. A pioneering house/rave track from 1992 it's lost none of its
dance edge nor its spiritual impact.
Tony Cummings
174. JET CIRCUS - VICTORY DANCE, 1990. From the album 'Step On
It', Wonderland.
There have been relatively few
excursions by believers into the metal rap territory of the Beastie
Boys et al and this, from a short-lived Swedish team, is my favourite.
A wonderfully ferocious riff, occasional interjections of a
slowed-down-tape voice telling us "You're on a mission from God" and
some exciting drum programming. Rock with edge, attitude and a
succinct spiritual message.
Tony Cummings
175. LADYSMITH BLACK MAMBAZO - OFANA NAYE (NOBODY LIKE HIM),
1990. From the album 'Two Worlds One Heart', Warners.
I
sometimes suspect that if I had access to all the gospel music
emanating from the African continent my all time favourites list would
take on a somewhat different complexion. As it is very little African
gospel finds its way to Britain and of course if it hadn't been for
Paul Simon's 'Gracelands' exposure the thrilling, soul-stirring music
of Ladysmith Black Mambazo would have stayed in South Africa's
townships as well. They're always best when singing acappella, and
here those bass voices set up a simple riff while the rest of the guys
can build their intricate polyrhythmic patterns.
Tony
Cummings
176. MARIE KNIGHT - CALVARY, 1953. From the single,
Decca.
Marie's is one of the most thrilling voices ever
committed to tape, an awesome contralto with enough lung power to fill
a large church without the need of amplifiers. Here, over a lugubrious
rhythm which recalls a Latin American rumba, the dear sister recalls
Christ's death on the cross with soulful intensity. Timeless and
magnificent.
Tony Cummings
177. BOB CARLISLE - GETTING STRONGER, 1993. From the album
'Bob Carlisle', Sparrow.
One of the most stirring
ballads produced in recent CCM history. Bob's intuitive fusion of rock
and soul vocal styles and a magnificent arrangement by producer Bob
Deaton brings out the drama and passion of Bob's insightful reflection
on how spending more and more time in prayer is a sign of strength not
weakness.
Tony Cummings
178. RAINBOW FOUR - PRODIGAL SON, 1948. From the single,
Rainbow.
Not a thing is known about the brother who
recorded this delicious little acappella ditty in 1948. "I believe, I
believe, I should go back home" goes the chant, and in intricate
harmonies nearer to jubilee than the hard-edged quartet sound that was
superseding it, the guys tell that most moving of parables. One day
somebody will reissue this gem.
Tony Cummings
179. WORLD WIDE MESSAGE TRIBE - REVIVAL, 1993. From the album
'The World Wide Message Tribe', N-Soul.
The first song
the Tribe ever wrote together and both an utterly infectious groove
with its compelling fusion of reggae and house and in view of what is
beginning to occur in Britain's churches, a song with more than a
little prophetic edge. The Manchester musicianaries convey an excited
expectation for revival to envelop Britain.
Tony
Cummings
180. ASIA WORSHIPS - HAMD TERI YAHOVA, 1993. From the album
'Mukti Dil-Aye: He Saves', Kingsway.
An eerily beautiful
worship song, and my favourite from a pioneering album. The way that
Dave Fitzgerald's flute weaves in and out of that Asian sister's
vocals always causes the heart to flutter. A haunting sound.
Tony Cummings
As published in CR25, 1st February 1995
181. SHOUT - IN YOUR FACE, 1988. From the album
'Shout', Intense.
I always thought it a great shame that
Shout lasted but one album. Nothing that axe maestro Ken Tamplin has
recorded since has come even close to equalling the raw, gutsy,
passionate, sweaty, awe-inspiring solo work on this furiously-tempoed
white metal classic. Every time I dust off this track I crank up the
volume to catch every nuance as Ken flies like a madman over the fret.
And if the wife's not around, I also reach for my trusty air
guitar.
Tony Cummings
again thank you Tony for your efforts greatly appreciated, mind you l go back to the tour of the top twenty at GB 84