Reviewed by Paul Kercal

Intimacy and mystery are keywords used for this project and they perfectly fit 'This Is My Worship'. Recorded in the Crypt at Christchurch, Spitalfields the opening track, "Grace", sums up the richness and clarity of Dave's voice, unassumingly backed by acoustic guitar. "This Is My Worship" manages to find a clear, distinct sound effortlessly and, even when a band joins in, the feeling of joyous intimacy lingers and the voice remains the most prominent instrument on display. An autobiographical honesty is captured in many of the tracks on offer, "Walls" standing out as a powerful conversion testimony, but it's the tribute to Gladys Aylward, "Edmonton To Yangcheng", that is the most driven track, rightly so considering the ambience of the historic setting that the CD and accompanying live DVD were recorded in. 'This Is My Worship' ends by asking us "Why Does It Have To Get So Complicated?" (and stop sniggering at the back those who mistakenly assume this is a cover of an Avril Lavigne hit), an ironic title for a song and project that revels and delights in its gentle simplicity. A CD that generates considerable warmth.

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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