15th October, 2008

JUSTIN MICHAEL

Album: For The Children

Artist: Melbourne Gospel Choir

Year: 2008
Label: Indie
Web: www.melbournegospelchoir.com
 
In A Word: Fun

"Sonically, the production is everything you would expect from these artists and the new tracks from the choir sit beside the pop-idols perfectly."

Take a group of Gospel and worship leaders from churches around Melbourne, put them in a studio together with some modern pop, soul and Gospel tracks and you've got an album for pretty much all occasions.

For The Children combines the Melbourne Gospel Choir (MGC) with well known pop artists and songs to raise money for childrens' charities. The songs combine strong gospel messages (Amazing Grace, I Am) with familiar sounds (The Prayer, I'll Be There) and a messages of hope.

Featuring the likes of Shannon Noll, Guy Sebastian, Human Nature and Marcia Hines, it's easy to hear why the MGC enjoyed making this record. There are lots of well known hits such as Shine, Taller Stronger Better, The Living Years and You Raise Me Up as well as four new tracks from the MGC.

Roma Waterman has contributed a new arrangement of her Aussie radio hit, I was Carried, and Jud Field has proven that white guys can grove with stand out tracks I Got The Joy and How Good.

Sonically, the production is everything you would expect from these artists and the new tracks from the choir sit beside the pop-idols perfectly.

I have to put a disclaimer in here and say that I was involved in this project, but I have it on good authority (that is - my harshest/loving critics!) that this disc is well worth the listen...and then another listen...and another.

It's got everything. Great songs, names you know, melodies you love and it just bubbles along with happy sounds. It's just, well, um...how do I put this? It's just fun!