STYLE: Pop RATING OUR PRODUCT CODE: 12650-1946 LABEL: Kingsway KMCD2607 FORMAT: CD Album ITEMS: 1 RRP: £12.99
Reviewed by Andy Cooper
So this is the fifth CD in Kingsway's 'New Songs' series. It is certainly useful to include guitar chord, piano music and lyric files on the CD-ROM as well as the music, and don't worry, the music will play on normal CD players as well as on computers. Songs from familiar writers are included, such as Tim Hughes and Godfrey Birtill. But it's a shame that the musicians and singers are only given credit in a hidden menu of the Flash player, because the vocals are pretty good. Terry White at times sounds a bit Westlife-ish, and Lisa Cochrane courageously belts her heart out during "When I See (Shine Your Light)". Still I'd rather listen to Godfrey and Tim sing their own songs. And the backing tracks here are unfortunately lacking in passion and feeling, not really doing the good songwriting and singing justice. After a first listen, nothing really stood out to make me want to learn to play it myself and teach it to my church. But after further study, a few possibilities presented themselves, but this may not be a particularly rich resource. Most of these songs would be fine for performing in church, but I think many congregations would struggle to join in meaningfully. So don't expect to discover any worship classics, but check it out if you really need some new songs.
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