Reviewed by Tony Cummings

You no doubt read about Nick, who recently joined that intrepid band of musicianaries prepared to live by faith and go full time, in the last Cross Rhythms. This is the tape he spoke about, recorded live in November before an invited audience at Hollingbourne House, Kent. It has to be said that it's not a complete success - presenting a live album where there is not the slight noise from any attendant audience rather defeats the purpose. Not surprisingly the album lacks atmosphere. Nick also needs the steadying hand of a record producer to sort out his songs and performance, his endless vocal embellishments although impressive too often pull attention away from the top line melodies and mar enjoyment. But despite these quibbles the man's luminous faith and spiritual insight shines through. If you're looking for a very basic, man-and-acoustic representation of what Nick Stephens might sound like in concert here it is. But let's pray Nick gets a divine appointment with a record producer soon because there's a lot of work to be done before British Christian music lovers have a top quality Nick Stephens album to play.

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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