Reviewed by Ian Hayter

This is the seventh release from the Chesterfield-based school teacher and singer/songwriter who has been turning out albums since his debut 'The Father's Family' in 1982. It's obvious from the cover that this is a self-produced album and the performance certainly lacks the gloss of expensive studios and celebrity producers. Having said all that, this is a pretty good set of songs, all by Pickering himself - with the exception of a cover of Buffy Sainte-Marie's "Universal Soldier" (given a good enough treatment by Pickering) and "There Is A Green Hill" sung to the tune of "House Of the Rising Sun". There are some very bluesy numbers, a bit of a Celtic tinge to the opening "Writing On The Wall" and a song entitled "Golgotha's Hill" which is reminiscent of the late, great Johnny Cash. All in all, it's a very competent and workmanlike set which challenges Christian and non-Christian alike, and has some very hummable tunes.