Reviewed by Adrian Cherrill

To be recording a 50th album is an incredible achievement by any stretch of the imagination, and it's a testament to the Franciscan friar's continuing ministry that he has reached this feat. After his last guitar-rock album, 'Living Water' sees the veteran return to his favoured folk/classical style of music, with strong biblical lyrics, layered vocals and orchestral backing, varying from a full orchestra to just a few gentle strings. Majestic and worshipful might be apt descriptions. I suspect some might find the traditional style of the lyrics a bit difficult to follow but there are some familiar Bible passages amongst them. Talbot handles just about all the vocal duties (one choirboy features in "Agnus Dei") with rich layers of harmonies that are beautifully produced and sung but it could have done with a little more variation (maybe a female vocal here and there?). His guitar is also a little low in the mix almost all the way through, which is a shame. The gently waltzing "Where Can I Go?" and the uplifting "You Have Drawn Near" are probably the pick of the songs, but they all flow together very well as a whole piece.

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