Published Thursday 19th November 2009
| Paul Field & Dan Wheeler - Rites Of Passage | 
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Reviewed by Doug Holland The stated intention of this recording is to be "relevant, comforting, challenging and inspirational" through the "significant and transitional moments of life." To that end, amongst the 14 tracks (total playing time of 58 minutes; this includes two poems penned by Field and read by Graham Kendrick) are songs referencing directly the birth of a son and the death of a close friend, together with a number of others that hint more generally at periods of difficulty and sadness. All but two of the songs are written by Field and Wheeler alone or in partnership and the music is essentially based around the acoustic guitar (primarily finger style) with other guitars, drums, bass and Hammond organ adding body. Both Field and Wheeler are accomplished songwriters and fine musicians and the song arrangements they have brought to bear are well thought through and easy on the ear. Whilst it is likely that individual songs will speak into particular listener circumstances, as an end-to-end listening experience the collection suffers from a lack of variety (approach to the subject matter, rhythm, tempo), intensity (musical, spiritual or emotional) and intimacy, and by placing both of the poems close to the end of the collection there is a sense of the set struggling a little to get across the finish line. Good, but missing a spark.
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to those shown. | | Product Description |
| Inspired by the significant times in our lives. Having already written together, critically acclaimed songsmiths Dan and Paul were inspired to work together again on a project that charts life's most memorable moments from a Spiritual perspective. With their trademark acoustic style, they have crafted songs that are thought-provoking, will invoke the memory and stir the heart. A journey for the young to the very old, looking forward and looking back. |
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