STYLE: RATING OUR PRODUCT CODE: 9725-9330 LABEL: Independent FORMAT: CD Album
Reviewed by Richard Toller
Dwight Mitchell is a classically-trained pianist from Maine who has played in everything from punk rock bands to jazz bands - a background that comes out in the music with a 1970s-influenced rock sound dominating with a few surprises thrown in. In 1999 Dwight read in a Christian magazine the diary of a high school girl named Lillian Carroll. It followed her life from out-of-control teenager to passionate Christian following the suicide of a friend. This was the inspiration for him to write and record - with Lillian's permission - a rock opera based on her diary. By profession an architect, Dwight built his own studio to record the project. Instrumentally it's strong, only the vocals on some of the songs let it down and betray its independent amateur musician origins. The story goes from traumatic beginnings - "Where did you go? Are you even there?/'m afraid to believe in you God but then I'm afraid not to" - to a joyful conclusion - "Lord I know you're here I have no fear/Your love surrounds me." On the way it vividly portrays the struggles of a new Christian, feeling "My friends still walk in darkness/The Christians that I know don't have the same struggles/There's nowhere to fit in/Where do the new believers go?" The packaging is excellent with extracts from the diary alongside the songs which often quote directly from it and paintings expressing the feelings in the diary and songs. I would give this CD to a new young Christian.
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.
Interested in reviewing music? Find out
more here.
This track data is supplied by the Cross Rhythms CD/DVD review library. Please note that CD tracks may vary
according to release region or product version.