Lorraine Nelson Wolf - More Songs From Hopewell

Published Thursday 1st February 2007
Lorraine Nelson Wolf - More Songs From Hopewell
Lorraine Nelson Wolf - More Songs From Hopewell

STYLE: MOR / Soft Pop
RATING 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8
OUR PRODUCT CODE: 21224-5688
LABEL: Independent
FORMAT: CD Album
ITEMS: 1
RRP: £7.99

Reviewed by Liz Knowles

This is the first time I've seen a cat credited as a guest vocalist! Yes, really, track three "Blessed Rest" features a meow from "Lucy the amazing perfect pitch cat." This CD offers mostly gentle ballads, sophisticated in their seeming simplicity. Often it's just piano and vocals from a New York-based singer/songwriter who has had considerable success in the US mainstream. As well s the stripped down arrangements there are other more sophisticated soundscapes. Somehow it all works, despite being at odds with my vision of fast paced New York. Perhaps this is the calm centre within. All the songs have background notes explaining how and why they were written. They explore concepts such as church unity ("Open Us Up"); evangelism and mission ("The Empty Chair" and "What Would Jesus Say?"); situational ethics ("It All Depends") and the search for faith ("God-Sized Hole"). Some of these ideas, I have a feeling, will be staying with me for a long time. Instead of the expected "tear us apart" we get "tear us together" ("Open Us Up") and "would Jesus be a Christian?" ("What Would Jesus Say?"). A fine songwriter and a moving album.

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