Reviewed by Neil Adams

"Young Messiah" is a revival of a 1970s update of Handel's Messiah, originally done by a 'secular' cast and dragged out of the cobwebs by Shelia Walsh's husband/manager Norman Miller. Given the material he had to work with and the guest artist's producers Paul Mills and Don Hart, I thought more could have been made of it. The recording starts off well enough, and production is alright throughout, but at times the instrumental arrangements lack the strength to accompany massive church choirs (The First Baptist Church, Norfolk, Virginia), and some of the synthesizer work renders sections naff where they should be stirring - not enough thought in the instrumental parts. Having said that, the quieter parts work well, and Sheila Walsh, Russ Taff, Wayne Watson, Matthew Ward, Twila Paris, White Heart et al perform well. It's pleasant enough to listen to, but I don't feel I could play it as a great example of (contemporary?) Christian music to my friends. I can't help thinking a bit more time on the drawing board may have saved it. Still, "The Hallelujah Chorus" can still produce goose pimples.

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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