Reviewed by Dancin' Dave Derbyshire

This album contains 16 tracks of fairly standard praise and worship songs. As I skimmed through the colourful booklet of lyrics and background information I was interested to discover that they had input from artists like Terl Bryant and David Fitzgerald. Though both these names are prominent in the Celtic music scene, any such influence is difficult to discern on this album. The music is much like you can hear in most churches on a Sunday morning. But I did find the odd launch into acapella an enjoyable contrast. For the uninitiated this involves harmonising, without accompaniment, barber shop quartet style. On the whole, I found 'Healing Stream' to be a sincere set of worship songs that, sung with feeling, can touch the heart of God. The title track, for instance, is a short prayer for the Holy Spirit to fall on us bringing inner healing, sung in acapella style. In other tracks we come before the throne of God, praying to the Father to release his power, celebrating his love and rejoicing in the knowledge that God is in control and is the hope for the world. All these sentiments are wonderful eternal truths. And I know that ultimately God is unchanging yet I believe that he wants us to continually be looking for and revelling in new aspects of his character. Perhaps a fresh revelation like this is what Vinesong need to add a prophetic edge to their music. In the meantime, you can play 'Healing Stream' in the background and incline your heart towards the Lord.

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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