STYLE: Pop RATING OUR PRODUCT CODE: 81830-12249 LABEL: Kingsway Music KMCD3057 FORMAT: CD Album ITEMS: 3 RELEASE DATE: 2009-09-04 RRP: £13.00
Reviewed by Alastair McCollum
These albums 'O God O God', 'God Help Us' and 'dreadGod' make up a 38 track collection of songs recorded over the past five years by Lincoln-based worship leader and songwriter Birtill who is part of the New Life Church and the Ground Level Network. The description the package gives of itself is "raw" and "passionate" and certainly the music captured here comes across as both of those things. As many Christian music observers will tell you, Birtill is a "Marmite" kind of artist who you either love or hate and certainly his not-particularly-musical vocal style and decidedly left-of-centre approach to lyric writing make him a figure who doesn't easily fit into the standard musical stream. There are some quirky bits, the bagpipes at the end of "Unbelief (Fan The Flame)" that leads into "I Will Set My Face", the exuberant trumpet playing by the sublime Raul D'Oliveira on "They've Got A Trumpet" and the deft mandolin on "Glorious Revolution" add texture to the collection. But Birtill's slightly shouty stylings mean that the prophetic impact of some of his lyrics is occasionally lost. Highlights from this mostly self-penned selection are the CBC Praise and Worship song of the year "Just One Touch From The King" and "Outrageous Grace" - both on the 'O God O God' album. If you are a hardcore supporter of this worship prophet you will want to investigate this package of oldies if you haven't already purchased them individually.
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.
Product Description
Godfrey Birtill belongs to a new breed of worship leaders. Rooted in the prophetic, motivated by a pursuit of passion rather than polish, his is a voice that cracks and strains and cries out with the rawest of emotion. And whilst his is a story that until now few have heard, its one part of the story that’s about to change.
Coming from New Life Church, Lincoln, and part of the Ground Level Network, which hosts the annual Grapevine festival, Godfrey is a seasoned worship leader. Having toured extensively over the past five years, Godfrey has released three live recordings. ‘The Live Collection’ draws those three together in a compelling, passionate, God-soaked new album. Across 38 tracks – recorded from the heart of the congregation, and including the CBC Praise and Worship Song of the year
‘Just One Touch From The King’ – it captures the heart of a new, grassroots move among worship.
Posted by Billy Fletcher in Preston @ 19:00 on Jun 21 2009
This is a collection of 3 of Godfrey's 11 Live CD's
These were released separately by Godfrey as Dread God, God
help us and O God...
The Cd to watch out for is his new album of NEW
songs...Hijacked into paradise due for release Aug 09
check www.godfreyb.com
This is a collection of 3 of Godfrey's 11 Live CD's
These were released separately by Godfrey as Dread God, God help us and O God...
The Cd to watch out for is his new album of NEW songs...Hijacked into paradise due for release Aug 09
check www.godfreyb.com