Reviewed by Tony Cummings

Possibly my greatest and most enjoyable musical surprise in these post-pandemic years is the re-emergence of Tim & Ann O'Hare. Let me explain. Back in the very early days of Cross Rhythms the magazine was sent a humble worship cassette from a church in Cardiff. It had something on it which was special and on a subsequent visit to the Springwood church I found musicians fully committed to taking worship into uncharted prophetic territory. The Springwood Musicians frankly blew me away and the ensemble subsequently came and powerfully ministered at the Cross Rhythms Festival. But that was then and this is now so to find two of the Musicians' most transparent talents - singer and songwriter Ann O'Hare and her husband guitarist and songsmith Tim - with a release of their own is the equivalent of finding a box of treasure under my bed. And what treasure it is! Ann's voice is sublime, managing to be rich and bluesy yet deft and sensitive. The melodies are skilfully crafted showing how to be instantly memorable but never too simplistic. The lyrics are soaked in Scripture. The production by Rory O'Hare is spot on with crisp modern percussion and Mark Lowe's E-bow guitar bringing soaring cadences to the song "Place My Head (Jacob)" and the inclusion of their song "You Anoint My Head With Oil" in two different versions/arrangements at the beginning and end of 'Path of Life' isn't an indulgence but a necessity, and such is the song's haunting quality it is surely destined for Cross Rhythms radio. On the back sleeve the credit reads, "These songs reflect some of the journey on our own Path of Life." They do for me too and I'm confident that if you search this album out, they will for you.

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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