Keswick - Unshackled: Keswick Praise 2007

Published Saturday 8th March 2008
Keswick - Unshackled: Keswick Praise 2007
Keswick - Unshackled: Keswick Praise 2007

STYLE: MOR / Soft Pop
RATING 5 5 5 5 5
OUR PRODUCT CODE: 27745-12176
LABEL: ICC ICC1079D
FORMAT: CD Album
ITEMS: 1
RELEASE DATE: 2007-10-10
RRP: £4.99

Reviewed by Paul Knab

The long running series of live worship albums emanating from the annual Keswick events feature a mix of traditional and modern hymns with some more recent contemporary songs thrown in. However, 'Unshackled' is hardly how I feel listening to the renditions of more recent compositions, such as Brenton Brown's "Everlasting God" and Tim Hughes' "Almighty God". The delivery of these songs by the worship leaders concerned left me feeling chained up. The saving grace of this album is Stuart Townend and the band whose unmistakable sound bring resounding memories of the great Stoneleigh live worship albums. Stuart is accompanied by Lou Fellingham, with her spine tingling lead of "There Is A Day", which for me is the high point of the album. Other stirring songs include the Townend classics "In Christ Alone" and "See The Morning". Also, there is some beautiful piano playing, particularly on "The Fathers Song". But on the whole, 'Unshackled' is a pretty tepid affair.

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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Product Description
Live Worship lifted to heaven from Keswick 2007. Join thousands as they raise their voices to God, mixing the traditional and modern with the powerful congregational feel that makes Keswick so special.

UNSHACKLED WILL INCLUDE WORSHIP LEAD BY STUART TOWNEND as well as other popular Keswick Worship Leaders.

Reader Comments

Posted by Michael in Newcastle upon Tyne @ 23:58 on May 10 2008

This album is pretty awful. Too much congregation, and plodding production. The only good thing is the Stuart Townend/Lou Fellingham/Phatfish tracks dotted on the recording, but even they have been ruined by an overcrowded sound of thousands of people who really just aren't going as all out for God as they could (i.e. Everlasting God). There Is A Day is a fantastic live song, and the version on here is just about as good as it gets but again, better produced Lou Fellingham There Is A Day's (of which there are many, The Father's Embrace, In Christ Alone, Worship At The Abbey, Spring Harvest Live 2003) are available out there. Not necessarily down to Lou, but the production, recording and general making of this album. It's so not worth the money. For a true, vibrant live worship album try Newfrontiers for 20s + and Soul Survivor for the teens!



Posted by Stevie B in Southport @ 23:04 on Mar 19 2008

Interesting to read the "official" CR review, esp the contradiction as S Townend and Phatfish sand "Strength will rise"! Having been at Kes, I was disappointed in the quality of some recordings, and what was missed out. On the CD, the "other" (non Stu T & Lou F) band actually sound better! I think maybe they had trouble recording ST's band?
On the "minus" side, the CD's "layout" is not optimal, as after song no. 11, we have 5 "slow" songs, mostly with several verses all the same style, and it makes me want to stop listening at that point! There's an awful out-of-tune top note in "The power of the cross" - why didn't they correct that in the studio? And why not put the "full-on" version of "The power of the cross" that we sang in week 3 (which was really moving at the time) on the CD, rather than the "arty" version?
My favourite tracks are "Strength will rise", "O church arise", and "Sing to the Lord". I don't know why they repeat some songs on the CD year after year!!
Overall a nice mix, and better than the previous couple of years' offerings.



The opinions expressed in the Reader Comments are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms.

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