After spending most of the decade flitting between fads, the British
pop scene is currently fairly diverse, and this album represents that diversity.
There's the rock of "All Around the World," with Thompson's vocals
in characteristically impassioned form, and the dance of "As Sure as Gold
is Precious," a reworking of Robin Mark's "Revival," but there's nothing
that tends toward any extreme.
Standout tracks come in the form of "Search Me," a version of a
song originally by Brown Bear Music, and which has a jazzy dance feel to
it. There's also Flow guitarist Prod Pritchard's "Mighty God," on which
Cathy Burton turns in a strong performance with a child-like quality to
her vocals. It may interest some readers to hear that Pritchard didn't
realize his song had been included on this CD until a friend played it
to him.
There are a few unusual arrangements which add sparkle to this album,
and the well-produced feel will almost certainly endear it to many of its
young target audience. But Spring Harvest Praise Mix 1999 doesn't
venture far from well-worn territory, and I, for one, would like to see
a volume that attempts to push the boundaries of worship music some more.
James Stewart (5/26/99)
