Beating time
TITLE: STEP INTO THE LIGHT
ARTIST: Lou Fellingham
WEBSITE: http://www.loufellingham.com
PRICE: £12.99
FORMAT: CD (11 tracks, 51 minutes)
STYLE: worship / rock / pop
A little book that has had a big influence for me of late is John Piper’s The Dangerous Duty of Delight. At the centre of this is Piper’s apologetic for ‘Christian Hedonism’ — enjoying Christ.
So I was bowled over by the first track:
There is another life
More different than you ever could imagine
There is a greater hope
Behind the reason for your existing
There is another song
That you could be singing
In your day to day
There’s a better way
It’s a life unseen
But reality
There is more...
This wonderfully sets the tone for an album that brings the gospel call to believers and unbelievers alike. Step Into The Light is Lou’s third project distinct from Phatfish. If you haven’t heard Treasure or Promised Land you’ve really been missing out (and if you enjoyed those, you will love this)! As before, a number of the songs are designed for congregational singing (including a fresh new version of ‘To God be the glory’ as sung at New Word Alive earlier this year).
It’s exciting to see such a high quality project recorded in the UK and featuring so many talented British artists, including: Mark Edwards (jazz pianist and producer), Troy Miller (drummer for Amy Winehouse), Matt Weeks (bass), Dan Wheeler (guitars) and Stu G (electric guitar with Delirious?). There’s also a small string ensemble and choir to add further colour and depth.
Huge dynamic range is well matched to the lyrics: sometimes full-on rock with thick or strident backing vocals; sometimes a lone guitar or minimalist piano supporting sensitive lead vocals. I detected hints of Joni Mitchell, Coldplay, Sting, and ELO — musically very diverse and interesting. But it’s the way this is all made to serve the greater purpose of teaching and applying Bible truth that I find most exciting!
Life is short
Can end so fast
So build it on the truth that lasts
In Jesus
Jesus
