STYLE: Pop RATING OUR PRODUCT CODE: 15628-10912 LABEL: Independent OCP12193 FORMAT: CD Album ITEMS: 1
Reviewed by Trevor Kirk
Known in some circles as "the Father of liturgical music", and in others as the person who introduced the guitar into church services, Ray Repp's status as a pivotal figure in the history of Christian music is assured, not just in his native Roman Catholic Church, but across the whole denominational spectrum. Although in the 1960s he gained fame and notoriety in equal measure (having his music banned by the RC dioceses of Boston, Los Angeles and Chicago certainly helped!), he is now viewed as a true innovator in the history of Christian music. This is the second of a two-volume compilation of the best of Ray Repp, and it includes 18 songs written between 1972 and 1981, which are now available on CD for the first time. Given their age, the songs have stood up well; much Christian music of this vintage has degenerated into terminal cheesiness (listen to some of the stuff on that dreadful Timeless Classics series). Also, the quality of the re-mastering is up to modern standards, and only a few old-fashioned synth sounds and a rather dull production quality on the odd track detracts from the listening experience. Fascinating musical history from a truly gifted singer/songwriter.
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