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C & P Salvationist Publishing & Supplies
66-78 Dennington Rd Wellingborough Northants NN8 2QH 

Music has always been at the heart of Salvation Army worship and this disc enhances the tradition. The Bellshill band was formed in 1921 and has steadfastly supported the worship and ministry of the Corps. When one considers that the musicians are 'amateurs' the playing is of a truly high standard consistent with the usual level of Army worship. 

This is the band's third CD following on from the success of their previous two - 'Call of the Righteous' (February 2005) and 'Christmas Praise' (December 2006). 

The disc combines the Salvation Army musicals of Gowans and Larsson with those of Andrew Lloyd-Webber and it works very well. The Lloyd-Webber numbers feature love songs from his musicals which have a religious meaning. 

All the tracks are 'easy listening' with many recognisable melodies. In fact they complement each other so well that one could be hard-pressed to find  the distinction between sacred and secular. 

'To A God Like This' provides an inspirational start to the CD and lifts the spirits immediately. The flügel horn soloist Lynn Shanks on 'I Don't Know How To Love Him' is competent but perhaps a little flat in intonation. 

On Track 6 I was completely taken aback by an anomaly. The song 'wishing You Were Here Again' from Phantom is sung by Gemma Gunn. However expecting the backing of the band, this turns out to be an orchestral arrangement. I do wish some credit could be given to the musicians. 

I enjoyed Track 9 - 'burning Burning'. This seems entirely appropriate to an album full of spirituality such as this. The voice of Olwyn Mathie is very pure but she does not need to add the American inflections. 

The highlight of the album is Track 10 - 'Aspects Of Andrew Lloyd-Webber'. This arrangement works well for Concert band but having heard this played by the Bellshill Band, it works equally as well as a Brass arrangement. There is some impressive euphonium playing in 'Variations'. 

A medley of melodies concludes the album in a selection from 'take-Over Bid' by John Larsson. Full of well-known hymn tunes it provides a fitting conclusion to a disc that is truly inspiring. 

Lynda Baker

 

 

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