Music
has always been at the heart of Salvation Army worship and this
disc enhances the tradition. The Bellshill band was formed in
1921 and has steadfastly supported the worship and ministry
of the Corps. When one considers that the musicians are 'amateurs'
the playing is of a truly high standard consistent with the
usual level of Army worship.
This
is the band's third CD following on from the success of their
previous two - 'Call of the Righteous' (February 2005) and 'Christmas
Praise' (December 2006).
The
disc combines the Salvation Army musicals of Gowans and Larsson
with those of Andrew Lloyd-Webber and it works very well. The
Lloyd-Webber numbers feature love songs from his musicals which
have a religious meaning.
All
the tracks are 'easy listening' with many recognisable melodies.
In fact they complement each other so well that one could be
hard-pressed to find the distinction between sacred and secular.
'To
A God Like This' provides an inspirational start to the CD and
lifts the spirits immediately. The flügel horn soloist Lynn
Shanks on 'I Don't Know How To Love Him' is competent but perhaps
a little flat in intonation.
On
Track 6 I was completely taken aback by an anomaly. The song
'wishing You Were Here Again' from Phantom is sung by Gemma
Gunn. However expecting the backing of the band, this turns
out to be an orchestral arrangement. I do wish some credit
could be given to the musicians.
I
enjoyed Track 9 - 'burning Burning'. This seems entirely appropriate
to an album full of spirituality such as this. The voice of
Olwyn Mathie is very pure but she does not need to add the American
inflections.
The
highlight of the album is Track 10 - 'Aspects Of Andrew Lloyd-Webber'.
This arrangement works well for Concert band but having heard
this played by the Bellshill Band, it works equally as well
as a Brass arrangement. There is some impressive euphonium playing
in 'Variations'.
A
medley of melodies concludes the album in a selection from 'take-Over
Bid' by John Larsson. Full of well-known hymn tunes it provides
a fitting conclusion to a disc that is truly inspiring.
Lynda Baker
