Reviewed by Tony Cummings

Much of this album is acoustic based, and down-in-the-alley blues-based to boot. But it's the more electronic production numbers like the excellent rock-gospel title track which grabbed this reviewer hardest. The gospel-blues here aren't quite up to Darrell Mansfield standard. Keith's undeniably bluesy but occasionally adenoidal vocal style isn't to everyone's taste but his playing is excellent - some of those guitar licks are truly delicious while the drum programming and keyboards work. Another bonus is the usual classy ffg studio sound. What the album lacks is any particular creative focus, often a problem when the artist produces himself. So on 'Young Hearts' one second you're listening to a searing piece of blues-gospel, the next a rock gospel production number and the next an anguished piece of near-Dylanesque without any particular continuity. Also, it was surely a mistake to plump for an inlay design that look's like a children's album. But maybe I quibble. (You do. Ed) Keith is an excellent muso and committed grassroots communicator and this set will do his ministry no harm at all.

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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