Reviewed by Ian Hayter

Imagine dropping the Bonzo Dog Doodah Band and the cast of Playschool into Bruce Springsteen's Seeger Sessions and you might start to get a feel of this latest CD from prophetic worship leader Jason Upton. It's the kind of album for which the word "quirky" was coined. Quite unlike his previous intense and passionate prophetic worship albums, 'Family Music' is a selection of 15 songs with simple lyrics, many of which might almost be pre-school rhymes ("Candy", "Doctor, Doctor, Doctor", "Pretty Well") or nostalgic paeans to lost childhood ("Tater Peeler Road", "Look At That Dog Stickin' Out His Head"). The musicians are more of a community than a band, including some of Mr Upton's family, some close neighbours and a few very good friends, and the arrangements are somewhere between early skiffle and polyrhythmic world music. If that description makes it all sound rather surreal, then it is - but it's nonetheless a delightful album with catchy melodies, some very good musicianship and a wonderfully warm feel to it. Put it in your car CD player and you'll be singing along before you've left the drive. At times it may seem a little trite, at times it may seem a bit too deep to understand - but there is a sense of community and creativity which radiates from these songs and which genuinely gladdens the heart. All in all, one of the most refreshingly original children's albums heard for years.

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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