Clem Jackson talks to Les Moir about the producer's challenge of bringing the CompassionArt album to fruition

Les: Well just the amount of artists involved for a start, and also the whole thing of assigning the songs to people who would fit the song. And then we got a lovely surprise when Amy Grant agreed to sing one of the songs. Then there was the task of assigning different voices - you'd hear a song and you think who should sing that? and whose voices go with each other? So it was a much bigger thing than producing an album for someone like Matt or Tim when it is just their vocal. It has been a really fascinating experience bringing all these people together. There was one time in Nashville in the studio when Charlie Peacock and his wife turned up and then Toby Mac turned up to do his vocals, and then Leeland came in - it was like one after another, amazing.

Clem: So it wasn't just recorded at Abbey Road then?

Les: No, as well as Abbey Road a lot of the recording was done in Nashville. Martin also went to Uganda to record the Watoto Children's Choir and Darlene Zschech and Joel Houston did their vocals in Sydney. Some of the recording was done at Martin's house and also here in Eastbourne at the ICC Studios. Oh, and we also went to Prague to record the strings too. And then Kirk Franklin called and said he would like to be involved. So we had to get the files to him and fly in producers to go to his studio in Detroit - so it has been very special. It's been a global project, an incredible journey.

Clem: What level of cooperation has there been between the various managements and labels involved in bringing this album together?

Les: So far it has been great, there hasn't been a problem apart from a slight problem where an artist is releasing an album of their own. We've had to show respect in that way. So whilst the album and DVD will release in the UK in November, in America it will be January 09 because Michael W Smith has an album out in November and Chris Tomlin has just released 'Hello Love'.

Clem: What has pleased you most about the way the project has gone?

Les: Firstly I'd say the highlight has been the opportunity to work with Martin again because we worked together years ago when he was a young engineer, before Delirious? took off. Another thing I've loved about it is that at the retreat there was an energy and a chemistry in the room when the 12 were writing together. And I feel we've been able to almost keep that on the album, I'm pleased with the result - so that is a highlight. And having Amy Grant on the album has been amazing - we couldn't believe it, we were like kids when we heard her voice. Then there was Abbey Road where at one point we were actually using three studios; they were so accommodating to us. But just seeing those writers come together with a heart to see money released to the poor and needy is something I will always regard as special.

Clem: Is this project, likened by some to the 'Band Aid' projects, a one-off or will it prove to be the forerunner of similar albums in the future?

Les: Personally, I think it will be a forerunner, possibly for different genres. For example, I can see Country Music musicians getting together. And there were lots of people who couldn't be involved this time who I know would like to do something similar too.

Of course an album such as this has never been done before, where a group of people have come together specifically to write songs as a unit for a specific project. And it's the publishing of the songs, as the songs travel, as they begin to be sung in churches, then the money released through CCLI will go to be used for the poor and I'm excited about that.

Clem: At what stage in the process did you know that you'd got a great album here?

Les: I think we knew very early on because all the songs which came out of the retreat were great and we could see the potential then. But then we had to stay focused and ensure that by the end of the recording process it is as good as you thought it was going to be. Sam Gibson has done an amazing job mixing the album and Peter Cobbin at Abbey Road and Jack Joseph Puig in Los Angeles also mixed for us as well. So I feel now that we have reached the potential that we heard when the songs were created.

Clem: So as well as the album what else is coming on the back of it?

Les: There's a DVD, which has really captured the essence of the story and the journey, and of course the book. There are 16 charities which will benefit initially from the money raised, including 12 nominated by each of the songwriters involved. The four headline charities are Stop The Traffik, Hand Of Hope, Watoto and Ray Of Hope. A couple of the projects identified include setting up creative arts centres for children who want to be trained up to be songwriters or worship leaders or producers and engineers. So we're going to be in place where we can go and train these kids up and that's exciting.

This article first appeared in the November 2008 issue of Christian Marketplace magazine.