Sara Groves - Past The Wishing

Reviewed by Trevor Kirk

After the success of Sara's last album 'Conversations', this is somewhat of a retrospective in that this 2000 US release contains nine songs that Sara wrote between 1990 and 1997. If you've heard 'Conversations' then you'll know what to expect; catchy pop one moment, gentle piano-driven balladry the next, sometimes with Sara herself tickling the ivories, but with thoughtful and poetic lyrics throughout. Two tracks that caught my ear on first hearing: "Rain", a 1992 composition using the familiar imagery of rain reviving the soul and cleansing away the impurities so that new life can come; and "Testimony" from 1990, recounting the struggles of life, but through it all the experience of the peace that passes understanding that comes with handing it all over to the Lord. Although playing time is a little stingy at just over 39 minutes, this is still a good listening experience and a worthy companion to 'Conversations' in your CD rack.