Reviewed by Paul A Harris

When three different artists in as many years sing about the same subject, 'When Deep Calls To Deep' in this case, it strikes me as one of those 'God-incidences'. Brilliant! Paul's first CD finished in "The River Of God". So does this one but it's been updated, goes deeper and sounds better with lashings of percussion and serious atmosphere; not unlike the whole CD really which should come with a spiritual health warning - sing it and you're asking for it (sorry, should say him!). Reworkings of two songs originally on the live 're.vive@Stoneleigh live' CD are even better here. Paul's offering is easier to describe spiritually than musically. It's heart rending, personal, vulnerable worship that's real and now. Musically well produced with variety but no compromise. "The Prodigal's Song" has Edge-like guitars; "Learning To Love You" bursts into chunky, catchy rhythm guitar, alongside layers of ethereal keyboards. "Revival Sounds" tells it straight - "No more messing around... Wake up! Joshua generation!...They're calling this the revival generation." Echoes from the same prophetic school as Smith, Redman and Phatfish. Vote of thanks on the CD goes to the "baby in mummy's tummy". Baby Oakley sure has a strong spiritual inheritance here. With all songs available in 'New Songs And Stoneleigh '98/'99' sheet music book you can hear your Paul Oakley cake and play it.

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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