Boyce & Stanley - Before The Lord

Thursday 1st July 2004
Boyce & Stanley - Before The Lord
Boyce & Stanley - Before The Lord

STYLE: Roots/Acoustic
RATING 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9
OUR PRODUCT CODE: 9826-9427
LABEL: CJM Music 1
FORMAT: CD Album

Reviewed by Tony Cummings

If you're unfamiliar with the pioneering work this powerfully anointed duo have done in Britain's Catholic churches these last few years, this memorable album of wistful, melodically mature worship will be a revelation. Take Jo Boyce's "Magnificat", it's a beautiful melody sung with sweet tenderness and a memorable male voice coda of "bless him" on the close. Or listen to Mike Stanley's sung prayer "Deep In My Heart". Or be moved by the almost Taize-like "Before The Lord". What is top quality throughout is the production by Craig McLeigh who takes deft acoustic guitars, djembe and bongo percussion and delicious layers of harmony. There is a lowering of the superlative standards on "Prayer Of St Augustine", but just about everywhere else one marvels at the sweet vocal blends and strong melodies that avoid all the clichés and the cloying predictability of the middle of the road. The kind of album that redefines what "cutting edge" worship music can sound like.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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Sample Track Listing:
1. Call To Worship [Listen]
2. Before The Lord [Listen]
3. Magnificant [Listen]

This track data is supplied by the Cross Rhythms CD/DVD review library. Please note that CD tracks may vary according to release region or product version.

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