Reviewed by Dave Massey

This video gives an insight into the lives of guitarists Rob and Gilly whose classical praise albums like 'The Touch' have become staple fare to many Brit believers. A problem for me is that I believe most choruses are too weak (in terms of melody) and repetitive for instrumental treatment. My opinion is reinforced by this video. Rob and Gilly undoubtedly have reasonable technical ability on the guitar and their phrasing and balance are admirable. But they are continually let down by an often stiff and unemotional performance. The arrangements are competent but rarely shine, an exception here being the Lloyd Webber classic "I Don't Know How To Love Him" which has some nice touches. Even here though, the duo are scuppered by too much repetition - the friend of an effective worship song but the enemy of the instrumental. Why are Christian instrumentalists afraid of producing good instrumental music without feeling they have to relate it to the lyrics of worship songs? Bands like Spyro Gyra have led the way here and I personally would love to see classical composers and musicians following that path. Arrangements of worship songs undoubtedly sell, but I feel they need much more imaginative arrangement to succeed - classical composers discovered long ago the need for variation in instrumental music, so let's not forget the lesson. This video is one I shall only watch once. I might have been tempted back if it had been purely music, but having to sit through a rather pedestrian biog for the few nice moments is too much for me.

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.

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