January 16, 2009

The Idea of North - The Gospel Project

Placing The Idea of North's fourth CD "The Gospel Project" in the boombox and hearing once again the perfect harmonies of these two men and two women from Australia, we are taken back to the night we saw them confidently stride out together onto the 2003 Harmony Sweepstakes stage. They were singing last after a powerful field had drawn numerous standing O's, but when they finally bowed to their own, it was clear to all that they were National Champs. "Project" has 13 songs, 4 of them accompanied by Piano/Organ, Bass and Drums. Although these, especially group member Trish Delaney-Brown's lovely original "My Soul Finds Rest" and group member Andrew Piper's arrangement of LaMarquis Jefferson's "Ain't No Rock," are excellent, we of course prefer the a cappella tunes, beginning with group member Naomi Crellin's moving original "Thou Shalt," adapting the words of Marlo Morgan's "Mutant Message From Forever;" "Revelation," arranged by Trish, who adds an interlude and additional lyric; three songs by group member Nick Begbie, "Let It Ring," "Help Us" and The Truth," adapting three prayers by Michael Leunig; Van Morrison's "Whenever God Shines His Light on Me;" "Prayer for Peace," a sweet original written and arranged by Trish; and Nick's arrangement of the traditional "Down in the River to Pray." Also totally fun, with a telling message, is the bonus track, Andrew's "The Unfortunate Tale of a Country Chicken." The full-color liner notes have all the lyrics and some great pictures of the group. "The Gospel Project" is a joy from beginning to end from Australia's best, and one of our all-time favorite a cappella groups, The Idea of North! 7653 CD 16.95
Listen to "Down in the River to Pray

Posted by acapnews at January 16, 2009 12:04 AM