Face Yourself 
Artist: Loose Goose 
Contact: brian@beech.powernet.co.uk 
 
Loose Goose is a name that has been around in British Christian music circles for a couple of years.  The previous album released under that name received some very good reviews, but patchy distribution and a shifting line-up seemed to prevent them from becoming fixed in the minds of the CCM-buying public.  The group is now down to one permanent member, Carolyn Stilwell, and she, along with producer Sammy Horner (of the Electrics), have brought together a number of musicians to produce this second album. 
  
The band's name comes from its identity as a loose collection of musicians and the Celtic symbol of the Wild Goose (used traditionally to represent the Holy Spirit). It takes a more laidback, raw approach musically than the Electrics or Iona, but its Celtic credentials, from the strong vocal melodies to the use of traditional instruments, are certainly intact. 
 
The lyrical concepts used here are largely metaphorical and often make interesting use of symbols familiar to the New Age Movement, along with symbolism related to the 'Celtic Christian' movement: 
    From one dark winter's storm an abbey standing bare 
    An ancient place of prayer gave shelter to my tears 
    Then darkness turned to light, a voice said chosen one 
    I love you, I love you Lord, I cried 
    There breathed the living stone 
    And like a bird in flight my spirit soared that night 
    (from "Living Stone")
 Close to the heart of Carolyn Stilwell is the town and area of Glastonbury.  Once the site of an influential monastery, this is now the center of many pagan or New Age activities.  The song "Glastonbury Night" builds from a vocal cry over whistles to a synthesizer-backed atmospheric piece.  The lyrics convey thoughts relating to Glastonbury and its place in history:   
    On a night like this they sailed across the sea to Glastonbury 
    The gospel like a star glowed in their hands 
    and wild bird song embraced this blessed land 
    On a night like this reflections fall apart like breaking glass 
    Glastonbury night is hung with every prayer that once was cried 
    In him we're one and time has passed us by.
 Altogether, the sound of this track recalls Iona's atmospheric style, but is perhaps more traditional in feel.  There is, in fact, input from Iona's Mike Haughton on whistles and recorder. Other musicians on this track include Vanessa Freeman sharing lead vocals with Carolyn, Sammy Horner on bass and mandola, and David Lyon on keyboard. Other tracks contain contributions from members of Delirious?, the Electrics,  the Honey Thieves, and a number of session musicians - they're too many to list all together. 
  
One familiar track on the album is a cover of Sammy Horner's "T-Hule  Beannachd" - here titled "With Every Blessing" - a song which has appeared on a number of albums (I counted it five times in my collection), most recently on the Electrics' self-titled release. It is given a rather more spacious arrangement here, with a low-key synthesizer, low whistle, harmonica, drums, and guitar being the prevalent instruments.  This arrangement brings something fresh to a song which could otherwise sound a little old.  
 
The final track, "The Battle Of Evermore," is a good showcase for  the voices of Carolyn and backing singer Vanessa Freeman, which are well-suited to the material. Kenny McNicholl brings in highland pipes, Graeme Sparshott contributes bodhran, and David Lyon brings in the underlying synthesizer.  This is a well-suited ending to the album, with its strongly apocalyptic lyrics:  
    While thunder roars these mournful nights an unseen army leads the fight.  
    Soon Lionheart, the Lord of Light will come in blazing might 
    Who will rise to that ancient call? Who will stand apart? 
    Who will run while others fall, to follow Lionheart? 
The songs were mainly arranged in Sammy Horner's studio, with the various musicians coming in and 'adding their bit.'  The range of  instruments and instrumentalists is indeed diverse but all holds together well.  Occasionally some instruments are a little high in the mix for my liking, and not all the songs are as strong as those I have mentioned, but by and large the album has come together well and shows that Loose Goose could be a major force in Celtic music. 

By James Stewart 
 
Note - We've been informed that the next pressing of this album may well have some tracks re-mixed to compensate for a few instruments being too high in the mix. E-mail the band's management for more information on this.

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