Reviewed by Tony Cummings

Californian worship man Scott Cunningham is brilliant at some things and rubbish at others. What he's really bad at is publicity. Although I see this singer/songwriter nearly every year at Cornwall's Creation Fest at which he regularly ministers, it took most of a year before Cross Rhythms finally got a review copy of this 2012 album. Not that Cross Rhythms should take it personally. A search of the most popular Christian music websites shows that Scott hasn't sent review copies of 'Come Away' to any of them. What makes this particularly galling is that this, Scott's third album and his first with his band featuring his teenage daughters, is to my ears and heart one of the finest worship albums released this decade. Scott's first two albums (2005's 'Grace Amazing' and 2008's 'Til The Whole World Hears') had some great songs and performances, including the fine "I Will Wait For The Lord" once covered by Jeremy Camp. But it is this set where Scott finally and emphatically solves that most difficult of riddles facing all composers of songs intended for congregational worship - how do you arrange and produce such songs in a manner which also fully meets the creative needs and expectations of radio programmers and home stereo listeners? The fact is that not only has Scott written truly memorable songs like the haunting exhortation to disappear and seek a new encounter with God, "Come Away", and the opening declaration of faith for all countries and cultures, "Nation", Scott, his top rate band and a bevy of guest musicians have encased them in billowing and epic soundscapes that intuitively bring out the truths of the Christocentric lyrics. If that wasn't enough he has in daughter Madison Cunningham a singer/songwriter seemingly every bit Scott's creative equal, her deliciously evocative voice at times recalling Leigh Nash, at times JJ Heller, and yet continuously bringing a delicacy of tone and phrasing which would (perish the thought) get every Nashville suit reaching for his chequebook if she ever set off for the CCM capital. Madison's vocal on "Your Love Shines" over an arrangement which builds from simple acoustic guitar to a towering wall of sound is a wonder to hear while her song "Healed By Grace" has a moody country tinge which sticks obstinately in the gray cells as it ministers to the heart. All in all, a magnificent album by an anointed band of Californians.

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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