Stephen Tite - Believe

Published Friday 3rd October 2008
Stephen Tite - Believe
Stephen Tite - Believe

STYLE: Pop
RATING 5 5 5 5 5
OUR PRODUCT CODE: 49349-14631
LABEL: Independent
FORMAT: CD Album
ITEMS: 1

Reviewed by Tom Lennie

Based in Gateshead, Tyne & Wear, Stephen is a worship leader in his local Dunston fellowship. A follow-up to his 2001 'Christlike', 'Believe' is an independent production which consists of 14 self-penned praise and worship tracks, each carrying a single-word title - thus "Burn", "Saturate", "Disciple", etc. The songs come generally in an upbeat pop fashion, along with several stripped down, piano-based numbers. Unfortunately no information is given on band members, producer, etc - suggesting Tite is the main contributor. Stephen has a good enough voice, and certainly some songs on this hour-long recording have appeal. The opening "Thankful" is a likeable praise song, albeit not a standout. Something of Stephen's intimate connection with the Lord comes over on the slower "Awesome", while "Praise" is a quirky and infectious calypso type offering. Elsewhere, various other styles and sounds are experimented with, and the instrumentation throughout is good. But in general these songs aren't very memorable and the choruses on, for example, "Glory" and "Arise" quickly become tedious. There's talent here, and plenty of potential, but this disc doesn't really hit the mark.

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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Reader Comments

Posted by paul welsh @ 23:33 on Dec 25 2016

Stephen was a good friend of mine at college and it was my great pleasure to add guitar to his amazing songs. St phen, if you read this please get in touch. It'd be good to hear from you after all these years.



Posted by Samantha Allem in Newcastle upon Tyne @ 05:17 on May 30 2014

I was Stephens best friend for nearly five years til he stopped getting in touch, we used to jam, and write songs together, he is amazing and like his brother has said he does everything himself, he sings plays piano, writes, records very professional, he may not have the best voice but he has the passion and does deserve to be respected and admired, he is extremely talented and has been blessed by god, i will always love and miss my truest best friend, ive never had a best friend since as won't allow anyone to get close to me again after he ditched me as a friend but i won't have anyone commenting anything bad about his singing and amazing writing, he is a generous soul and truly missed. At the end of the day its about the passion praise love and personal connection to our lord in a song that makes you want to listen not whether a person has what Simon Cowell calls a recording voice. Keep up the good work



Posted by Jon Tite in London @ 15:45 on Dec 31 2010

Yes I may be Stephen's brother but I do have a few comments, not just about the review but also about Stephen's work in general.
Un fortunately the reviewer does not give Stephen the Credit that he deserves. Stephen has been writing Christian songs since his early teen years. The Believe Project as with most of his work to date is Written, Performed, Mixed, Produced and Mastered by Stephen without any help from others.
Yes I agree his voice may not be of top star quality, but believe me each track is maticulously and tirelessly recorded. Any of these tracks could be done by Matt Redmen, Chris Tomlin or even Delierious.
What you have to remember here is that Stephen does not have the clought that other mainstream Christian Artists have because Stephen hasn't hit the big time yet.
I play drums in my local church and have played piano myself since I was 3. I've played and performed some of Stephen's songs with him so I know how good they are.
Often, the Simplest songs are the best, ie "Over the Mountains," 4 chord progressions but a great song because it is well known. Once you get Thankful in your head you will not be able to stop singing it.
So I Implore you, take another listen and enjoy Stephens inginuity, music talent which is truly blessed by God.
Failing that listen to his new CD "Miraculously".
Please review and put the word out for that too it is getting airplay I believe on Premier radio at the mo.
God Bless. Jon



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