Carried Along Artist: Andrew Peterson Label: Watershed Records Length: 10 tracks/41 minutes

After 2 years of touring, an independent release "Walk," and the development of a strong fan base, Andrew Peterson has signed with Watershed Records, the new label created by Caedmon's Call's Cliff Young.  Joined by guitarist Gabe Scott and with wife Jamie on background vocals, Peterson's project Carried Along takes us on an acoustic journey through the trials and joys of life, love, and faith.

The first single from the project "Nothing to Say" is indicative of the sound of the rest of the ten songs.  The combination of acoustic guitars, strings, and harmony vocals paints a picture of the Arizona desert that brings to mind some of the finer word pictures of Rich Mullins, who's influence gets a brief mention in the lyrics.

       Hey Jamie would you mind driving down this road a while
       Arizona's waiting on these eyes
       Rich is on the radio and I think we ought to take it slow
       Arizona's caught me by surprise

In "Faith to Be Strong," Peterson prays for strength through the trials of life because "life is not long, but it's hard."  "The Coral Castle" tells  the story of a man, jilted by his lover, who built her a coral castle on the Florida coast.  Through the building he realizes that "I don't need her love to love her all I can."  "Shiloh" recalls his childhood home, the longing to return there, and then goes on to make the analogy of our heavenly home.

Peterson seems to enjoy playing with words, making his lyrics that much more interesting.  In "Nothing to Say" he says "and I don't believe that I believed in You as deeply as today," using alliteration as he tells about how the wonder of God's creation deepens our sense of love for and belief in Him. "Love Enough" tells the story of a man who has lived a lonesome and less than perfect life and then comes to realize that there is an abundance of love available to him through Jesus.  Again,there is the slight play on words, adding to the truth of the song:

       Well, it covers us like rain, it washes and it stains
       Poured out from heaven's cup for you and me to drink it up
       And in stubborn spite of my stubborn spite, I am loved nonetheless
       I am loved all the more and I believe there is love enough for the taking.

The project finishes out with the old hymn "The Ninety and Nine" given a Celtic treatment here complete with whistles and a wonderful and original jig at the close.

Andrew Peterson's music moves like a breath of fresh air weaving acoustical patterns with guitars, strings, tin whistles, and hammer dulcimars.  It is fresh and interesting leaving one in anticipation of his future work.

Janet Friesen 2/24/2000