Reviewed by Trevor Kirk

Inigo Byrne is (or was at the time of the release of this album) a 13 year old ex-Chester Cathedral chorister, and this contains an eclectic, not to say bewildering, mix of material, so much so, that I would really hesitate to describe it as a "Christian" album in the true sense of the phrase. Mainstream stuff from Lennon & McCartney, Rice & Lloyd Webber, Tears For Fears, Queen, Labi Siffre, Lionel Bart, Enya and Stevie Wonder rub shoulders with more traditional sacred songs such as "Jerusalem" and "Morning Has Broken", there's a chunk of Mozart for good measure, and Fairport Convention also get in on the act. The album has an ethereal feel, at times almost Celtic, but Inigo's voice is really nothing special, which makes the unbelievably effusive and OTT press release so difficult to understand. Apparently, Bruce Forsyth called him "a wonderful little singer"; the Daily Express referred to him as "the next Aled Jones"; and some have even compared him to Carreras and Pavarotti, which is patently absurd. The tricksy arrangements are all very well (what Stevie Wonder would make of a harp and strings arrangement of "If It's Magic" is anybody's guess, and those who remember the film Oliver! and the superb set piece staging of "Who Will Buy", will be appalled to hear how it's been butchered), but the bottom line is all about the vocals, and they don't cut it. Aled at 13 was on a totally different planet when it came to talent, delivery and range, so the people who are trying to hype up this lad into something he's not should pause and reflect before any permanent damage is done.

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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