Reviewed by Mike Rimmer

Tony Loeffler's 'Rooftop' series of tapes was never intended for commercial release and so production of those live albums was always a little rough and ready but none the less truly inspired. Here, Loeffler takes the Blue Angels into an empty church recreation hall to record live versions of the best songs from the series. No audience, no preaching, no testimonies, just the music! And this music is good! You get all the classics, "Touched By Love", "Bright Light" and "See The Valley" all sounding even better in the crystal clarity of CD. The live feel as the band simply play the songs as though in concert gives the whole thing an appropriate vibe. My favourite is "Finish Line" with its look at the last days and the blurring of morals, "White's gone black, black's gone white/We're living in a grey world/Heading for the finish line." Prophetic! In addition, you get some new songs: "He Was A Father To Me" is a tribute to Herb Van Den End who discipled, encouraged, supported and acted as a father to Loeffler. Sadly he died before the album was completed. There is only one blot on the musical landscape -"Proud To Be An American For Freedom" where Tony sings of the stars and stripes and the greatest nation of all, where God is worshipped freely. (Unless of course you're in school where it's still illegal to pray!) Tony, dude, what were you thinking of? There's no room for patriotism in the Kingdom of God. Apart from that disappointment, this is an excellent album from a man whose musical ministry has helped to plunder hell and populate Heaven.

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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