Reviewed by Lins Honeyman

This is Northampton based singer/songwriter Cathy Wheeler's first outing since her Christmas musical release 'All The Angels Sang' in 2002. Since then, Cathy has spent time writing and recording the material contained on this album which, according to the inlay card, reflects something of her journey "from brokenness to a place of greater wholeness and peace." Proceedings get off to a somewhat shaky start with "If I Imagine" which, at over five minutes long and containing only long term musical partner John Bowman's understated piano and a lone cello for support, fails to grab the listener's attention. Songs like the upbeat "You Are A Rock" and the jazzy ode of love to her husband "This Love Will Last" work best and the production improves on tracks recorded later. The highlight of the album is the tender "Windows Of My Soul" - loosely based on Song of Songs - which documents in part Cathy's recovery complete with soothing harmonies and a gentle guitar and piano accompaniment. On the whole, though, it must be said that Cathy's vocal delivery is weak and lacks variety - although it does improve when enhanced by double tracking or layered harmony vocals. In addition, half of the tracks are between five and six minutes long and the album tends to drag later on. Nonetheless, some promising ideas on show here and very reflective of the fact that a relationship with God is the key to wholeness and peace.

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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