Paul Oakley - Father Me

Published Monday 21st August 2006
Paul Oakley - Father Me
Paul Oakley - Father Me

STYLE: Pop
RATING 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9
OUR PRODUCT CODE: 19966-10853
LABEL: Kingsway KMCD2728
FORMAT: CD Album
ITEMS: 1
RELEASE DATE: 2006-08-18
RRP: £2.99

Reviewed by Tony Cummings

Paul has of course penned his fair share of worship classics. "Who Is There Like You?", "Jesus Lover Of My Soul", "Because Of You" are gems sing in many a church. But his surprising move to record a non-worship album (at least in the conventional meaning of the phrase) with 'Antiphony' took the Brighton songsmith rather out of the loop particularly as that independent release got only spotty distribution. But now Paul returns with an album of newly penned congregational worship songs recorded in Nashville with producer John Hartley and with a sleeve that confidently boasts "this is the definitive Paul Oakley." And indeed they may be right. The deft interplay between acoustic and electric rock elements have given Paul a subtler sound than of past while that rather adenoidal vocal sound that sometimes mars Paul's lower register has been overcome here. But of course the key thing comes down to the quality of the songs and in worship circles that usually means melody as lyrics are usually recasting of concepts and phrases familiar since King David's time. I can report there are some soul-stirring numbers here: "Ever Faithful God", "No Other God", "Beautiful" and the title track all sound like songs which will soon be ringing around Britain's churches while the new melody he brings to Frances Havergall's 19th century "Take My Life And Let It Be" is a delight.

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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Reader Comments

Posted by Susan Hughes in Bahrain, Middle East @ 10:54 on Jan 1 2009

I bought "Father Me" whilst I was at a leadership meeting in England of all the leaders plus believers from many different nations in 2006. This album has continued to bless me and many others since then and I look forward with eager anticipation to listening to Paul's latest album "Epiphany ( A sudden manifestation of the essence or meaning of something). I pray that this album Epiphany awakens many people's hearts to see and feel the glory and magnificence of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.



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