Reviewed by Mike Rimmer

Listening to 'Nomads Welcome', Johnny Parks is clearly not a man troubled by writing nice short snappy songs! If you're looking for music, and I mean real music, full of emotion with a rootsy acoustic feel, you just have to check this out! Spiritually charged with words that pierce the heart and vocal performances from Parks that make the spine shiver. I loved his previous release under the band name The Maroons. These days he's responsible for leading worship at Belfast's Mannafest event. Teaming up with the excellence of lain Archer's guitar and a band that know how to go with the flow means that the album has an airy feel. There are too many amazing moments to mention them all here but the chorus of hope "the season it will change" which is repeated at the close of "Winter" is a powerful, almost prophetic moment. Elsewhere the almost Britpop feel of songs like "No Words", "My Greatest Hope" and "Close To You" are contrasted by the intensity of "Breathe On Me" and the sheer beauty of the unhurried 10 minute psalmlike epic "I Call On You" which is reminiscent of Kevin Prosch. If you're into worship music which is passionate and edgy, risky and inspiring, this has to be your first stop! Now I just want to worship at an event where Parks is leading worship and see these songs fly! An astoundingly good album!

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