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Your Gateway to Music and More from a Christian Perspective Slow down as you approach the gate, and have your change ready.... |
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Your Gateway to Music and More from a Christian Perspective Slow down as you approach the gate, and have your change ready.... |
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From the Book of Life
Artist: The Ned Kelly Band Label: Indie Length: 13 tracks/67:39 This self-released recording is the second from the Ned Kelly Band, who hail from Lisburn. Northern Ireland. All of the songs were written by Kelly, who also handles the lead vocals while playing acoustic guitar and harmonica. His voice is limited in range with a raspy quality but his songs are a match for vocal abilities, which ring with conviction. It is apparent from the start that this disc is about Kelly’s abiding love for God and Jesus Christ. Each track examines part of his everyday world and how his faith impacts his life in addition to those around him. His lyrics don’t try to pound home Kelly’s message. The songs unfold in a matter-of-fact style that slowly draw you into Kelly’s spiritual conviction. And this band can rock hard !! The rousing opener, “I Don’t Care” is a Stones-like rocker with Kelly describing all of the material things that have little meaning to him “..as long as my name is in the Book of Life.” The track ends with the declaration “ ..when I lost my life to Jesus, I got nothing left to lose.” It’s followed by some snarling guitar licks from Sullivan on “The Difference” as Kelly explores the gap between him and the son of God. “I Wish” is a ballad that finds Kelly looking back at errors of his life with regret and looking forward to the day when he will be more like the good Lord. The arrangement is fleshed out by some mournful harmonica work from Kelly. The band rocks hard again as Kelly spins a tale of “Johnny Midas”, who had it all but ends up staring out the window at a five star old folks home. Once again Sullivan impresses with his guitar work and David McCorkell’s trumpet is a welcome addition to the mix. The same theme is addressed in “The Trouble with Mary,” a woman with a billionaire husband, a palace, au pair, and is convinced that “..her problems would all disappear when she gets her nose job done at the end of the year.” The closing song, “Ballad,” is a modern-day recasting of the Good Samaritan story, casting rival soccer fans as the victim and his rescuer. All the elements come together on this track - great lyrics, and a strong arrangement that the band handles with ease. A couple of the tunes could have benefited from stronger lyrics. “All God’s Children Get the Blues” rolls along musically on a driving blues number but Kelly fails to tell much of a story, settling for a simple recitation of a few of life’s ills. On “Keep Lookin’ Up,” the group tackles reggae music successfully while the lyrics lack the insight and depth of other songs on the disc. Perhaps the band should consider sticking with the rock songs that they excel at performing. I was very impressed with this recording. My appreciation for the disc grew with each listen. There were times I caught myself thinking about my faith as I listened to Kelly sing about his so convincingly. And I’m sure that is exactly what the band was hoping to accomplish. As Kelly put it, “ At no time has the Lord suggested that I set my guitar aside and start singing like a choirboy.” Give him a chance to help lift your faith by giving this excellent recording a listen. Mark Thompson 1/9/2005
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