Reviewed by Tony Cummings

Paul has of course penned his fair share of worship classics. "Who Is There Like You?", "Jesus Lover Of My Soul", "Because Of You" are gems sing in many a church. But his surprising move to record a non-worship album (at least in the conventional meaning of the phrase) with 'Antiphony' took the Brighton songsmith rather out of the loop particularly as that independent release got only spotty distribution. But now Paul returns with an album of newly penned congregational worship songs recorded in Nashville with producer John Hartley and with a sleeve that confidently boasts "this is the definitive Paul Oakley." And indeed they may be right. The deft interplay between acoustic and electric rock elements have given Paul a subtler sound than of past while that rather adenoidal vocal sound that sometimes mars Paul's lower register has been overcome here. But of course the key thing comes down to the quality of the songs and in worship circles that usually means melody as lyrics are usually recasting of concepts and phrases familiar since King David's time. I can report there are some soul-stirring numbers here: "Ever Faithful God", "No Other God", "Beautiful" and the title track all sound like songs which will soon be ringing around Britain's churches while the new melody he brings to Frances Havergall's 19th century "Take My Life And Let It Be" is a delight.

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