Reviewed by Paul Loader

'Live From Hawaii: The Farewell Concert' is packaged as a CD and DVD and is a live recording of the band's final concert of their 'Adios' tour in Waikiki Shell in Honolulu, Hawaii on 28th April 2007. Here was a party that everybody, especially the Lord, was invited to, and if you watch the DVD first (something I recommend that you do) you really get a sense of "being there". This isn't a polished, choreographed, studio re-mastered artist showcase; this is a nuts and bolts celebration of a pop rock outfit that love their Lord, their audience and had enjoyed 15 good years (and 3 million record sales I might add) on the road. The reason the band were calling it a day was sited as Mark Stuart's ongoing problems with his vocal chords, something that is sadly all too obvious on the recording. However, this doesn't detract from the overall performance and in fact gives the concert an even more gritty and realistic edge, and proves that this man gave it his all for the band. The band really go for it, singing many of the songs they were well known for, songs like "Big House", which rung out like a children's Sunday school chorus and gave Mark Stewart the opportunity to climb into the crowd and even have a chat with his father. T-Bone, said to be the "Godfather of Christian rap", joined them for "We Are A Band" and his "huge" presence filled both the stage and the song. For "Beautiful" the band invited members of the audience up onto the stage in the form of an impromptu choir. You will have to listen to the concert yourself to find out what happened when a young guy grabbed the mic and bought the whole concert to a halt. All I can say is it's worth watching the DVD just for that moment, and brought a lump to this old cynic's throat I can tell you. I would encourage you to buy this CD/DVD, not only because you'll enjoy it (which you will), not only because it will bless you (because it will), but also because proceeds from sales go the Hand & Feet Project, an orphanage in Haiti set up and sponsored by the band. As the band say themselves "The ministry continues."

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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