Anthony Ray - Revelation

Wednesday 1st July 1992
Anthony Ray - Revelation
Anthony Ray - Revelation

STYLE: Pop
RATING 6 6 6 6 6 6
OUR PRODUCT CODE: 4792-762
LABEL: Independent
FORMAT: CD Album
ITEMS: 1
RELEASE DATE: 1992-06-05
RRP: £7.99

Reviewed by Tony Cummings

Every album tells a story. Here both the album's theme, the book of Revelation no less, and the story behind 'Revelation"s recording are attention-grabbing enough to make even the most jaded reviewer take a second look and listen. Here's the album's background. Senior nursing officer Anthony Ray had been writing music for a hobby when, in 1990, after getting himself converted, he got the idea to write an album based on the book of Revelation (ambitious or what?). After several months researching this most mysterious of prophetic books, Anthony approached a large studio in Leeds and began recording, hiring in session musicians and singers and running up, by Christian music standards, a mega-bill of 10,000 smackers. Anthony was skint and the album was still only half finished, but such was the vision he'd managed to impart about the project that the studio took over financing it and when completed released it on their own label Active Records. But what about the music, you ask? To be honest, being no fan of Rick Wakeman-style pomp-rock, I viewed a 19-track concept CD with skant enthusiasm expecting all kinds of overblown excess. But what my ears heard delighted me, and by half way in I was reaching for the CD booklet. The songs, far from being as dense and inaccessible as John's apocalyptic visions, are eminently access-able, full of punchy hooks, good melodies and catchy arrangements, while the bevy of vocalists used are outstanding (particularly Steve Ancliffe, Stephen Lee and Hazel Walker) as Anthony deftly takes us from the vision of "One Like A Son Of Man" to the breaking of "The Sixth Seal". If you're looking for a musical with vastly more musical integrity than Andrew Lloyd Webber and one which will draw you into some stunning Biblical revelation, look no further.

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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Reader Comments

Posted by Peter Millward in Brasil @ 01:47 on Jan 20 2022

I was thinking about this album today, and still left a deep impression upon me - I have the cassette tape in storage in the UK - but it is in the UK and I live in Brazil! Anyway, I searched for it and it is at youtube.
It would be cool to find Antony Ray and how he is doing. and congratulate him for this amazing music.....


Reply by Anthony Ray in Leeds Yorkshire ENGLAND @ 17:07 on Jul 31 2023

Hello Peter,
Thank you for your very kind comments I found regarding my Album 'Revelation'
I also now have my Love Songs Album called :-
'Far Well Fold' which is available to listen to Free on the net.
Please tell me if you receive this short letter. Take Care.
Best Wishes : Anthony Ray

[report abuse]


Posted by Peter Millward in Brasil @ 23:46 on Jan 18 2022

I was thinking about this album today, and still left a deep impression upon me - I have the cassette tape in storage in the UK - but it is in the UK and I live in Brazil! Anyway, I searched for it and it is at youtube.
It would be cool to find Antony Ray and how he is doing. and congratulate him for this amazing music.....



Posted by NB in Leicester @ 21:34 on Jul 21 2009

I also got the impression that there would be a sequel to finish off - don't know whether that actually got done. Fantastic first album though.



Posted by Steve in London @ 02:10 on Sep 5 2008

I've been after a copy of this album for a while, where can i get one ?



Posted by JT in Cheshire @ 17:56 on Aug 2 2007

I've been looking for this for a while - used to have a copy, but got lost somewhere along the way.



Posted by Clinton Pitman in Cornwall, UK @ 20:10 on Mar 5 2007

I used to have this particuler CD and loved the music on it - however, due to moving alot over the years I lost it and would love to find a copy.



The opinions expressed in the Reader Comments are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms.

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