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

Nina Astrom
Nina Astrom

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

Shout
Shout

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