Reviewed by Trevor Kirk Phil Lawson Johnston is a well known and long-serving worship leader and songwriter, and the idea of this project is to assist small groups who want to worship but who have no musician to lead them. Via the medium of the CD, guitarist, pianist and singers are placed "in the room" to lead worship, and everyone else sings along. The arrangements are simple, no frills, no complicated key changes or other such paraphernalia, and the songs are placed in groups of three, four or five as suggestions (or worship lines of various lengths). The music is well known on the whole, stuff from the Vineyard, Noel Richards, Dave Bilbrough and a selection of Phil's own songs, along with a few hymns (including "Amazing Grace" and "Here Is Love Vast As The Ocean"), making a grand total of 22 tracks and nearly 74 minutes playing time. Whilst the performances are nothing to write home about, that isn't the point; as a resource to aid the musically inept, it works well. This might just be the next growth industry.
The opinions expressed in this article are
not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed
views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may
not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a
later date. Interested in reviewing music? Find out
more here.
|