Reviewed by Tony Cummings

This is the well known radio presenter, not the "American Pie" chap. Although Don's name and voice have top billing on this release, 'The Parables' is really the work of the Leicester-based community the Watermead Apostolate, who call St Joseph's Catholic Church home, and their musicians ANAWIM. Composer Alison Kennedy and lyricist Father John Daley have come up with 12 musical takes on Jesus' parables, from the obvious ("The Prodigal Son", "The Good Samaritan", "The Lost Sheep") to the more obscure ("The Labourers", "The Bridesmaids", "Lazarus"). Don, with his crooning vocal style, aims to deliver the "gospel with humour and music" and, whilst the whole thing is rarely challenging, the rhymes occasionally a tad strained and the arrangements a little repetitive, come track 10 or 11, he and the musicians generally do a good job. However, the best bit is the CD insert, including a succinct but profound introduction and a mini-study for each of the parables by Father John.

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