Reviewed by Tony Cummings

Such has been the impact of modern worship on churches around the world that today hundreds of churches blessed with songwriters as well as worship leaders and instrumentalists are taking the plunge and recording an album. Many of these albums will travel no further than the congregations for whom the songs were originally intended but every now and again one comes along with sufficient song craft quality and production edge to be noticed by the gatekeepers of the big church events. I'm pleased to report that Southville from Somerset's Yeovil Elim Church has this potential. 'Freedom's Tree' is the kind of album which will impress all who hear it, and more importantly lead them to commune with the Lord who inspired it. The story behind this album is a fascinating one. Having "a core team of about 12 songwriters and these people range from 13 years old to some in their 50s" the church set themselves a goal of writing 100 songs over the course of a year. Having circumnavigated the first pitfall which stymies many local church albums - being too hasty to record but taking time to separate the wood from the chaff, Southville have also sidestepped pitfall number two by not plumping for a cheap and cheerful live recording. Instead Southville have put together a carefully and imaginatively produced studio set so that nifty programming and clever rhythm ideas bring into focus both the tuneful melodies and some top rate vocals (the female on "Creator God" and "Your Love" is particularly good). Standout tracks are "Every Call" ("I'm calling out to Heaven/Jesus you hear every cry") and the haunting title track which builds into a stirring anthem ("Lift your voices/Christ alone is/The Lord of freedom's tree"). A truly outstanding independent album which will not only get play in the Cummings' car but makes me want to make a trip to Yeovil Elim Church. The worship there must be wonderful.

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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