More Than a Singer

Description

More Than a Singer is a praise & worship album by the British singer, songwriter, and blues guitarist Bryn Haworth, released on Kingsway Music in March 1992 (as a part of the label’s The Worship Leaders series). Also released in the US by Kingsway America. The album was recorded at ICC Studios in Eastbourne, England; with Les Moir producing.

I remember some years ago when the Greenbelt Festival magazine, Strait, interviewed Bryn Haworth, asking him what he was listening to and were clearly astonished when he told them the Maranatha! Singers. But now the consummate sessioner with the musical chops sufficient to grace any of a dozen superstars’ albums, has taken several more steps into worship to become, on the clear evidence of this album, one of the most gifted worship songwriters in Christendom. There’s so much to delight here, the delightfully undulating opener with its memorable hook “you are the singer, make my life your song”, the haunting mid-tempo «Psalm 138» (he had a version recently on the Andy Park/Bryn Haworth ‘Take Our Lives’ album on Vineyard); and, if it gets onto the final version of the album (there were copyright snags) «La Bamba», which transforms into «La Hal-leluyah», and makes a delightfully joyful Latin praise-up. There’s even a reggae-gospel version of the Lord’s Prayer while a couple of numbers here, with their rhythm and blues raunch, could have sat comfortably on those classic Chapel Lane albums of a decade or more ago. Throughout, the playing is superlative, producer Les Moir keeps the thing tight and uncluttered, and as a signpost of where praise and worship can go in the nineties this is a milestone album. [Tony Cummings, Cross Rhythms, July 1992]

More Than A Singer / Bryn Haworth Band Live, 2CD-reissue, Kingsway 2002

A reissue of two Haworth oldies, this double album is full of self penned quality plus the brilliant Mayfield classic «People Get Ready». The expected quality musicianship is evident throughout not only from the man himself but from backing singers and players on every track. Each disc offers gems of differing types (both a strength and for some no doubt a weakness) highlighting the skin of the troubadour. The guitar work is still wonderful, the “musicians musician” label still applies. You budding stars could do far worse than listen to the master; be you writer, musician or performer. ‘More Than A Singer”‘ is such a mixture of styles it may be just too mixed for a single listening for some. But in so being it certainly proves its title correct. The quieter songs, «Holy, Holy, Holy», and others are particularly tingly. (Is there such a word?) All tracks are very strong on faith and clearly represent a personal and vital relationship between this man and his God. ‘B.H. Band Live‘ (the second disc) is again full of quality. More strong guitar (classic on «Saturday Morning»! Try keeping your foot still – no chance!) 1930’s – «I Serve a Risen Saviour» – wow! Blues or what! – I just wish I’d been there. Excellent buy. Rock, roll, blues, reflective, reggae, Latin and more on one double album. Great to have this stuff back in the racks. [Paul Niemiec, Cross Rhythms, May 2002]

> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/more-than-a-singer-bryn-haworth-band-live/564171066)

CD tracklist:

01. More Than A Singer – 4:53
02. Let The Righteous Sing – 3:44
03. La Alleluia / When I Find Your Love – 4:47
04. Teach Us To Pray – 4:55
05. Be Still My Soul – 4:06
06. What Kind Of Love Is This? – 3:48
07. Psalm 138 – 3:44
08. The Lord Is Good – 3:45
09. Resurrection And The Life – 3:13
10. In His Eyes – 5:12
11. Precious Child – 4:50
12. You Did Not Choose Me – 4:10
13. Go To All Nations – 4:00
14. Out On The Streets – 3:51

Note: Simultaneously released on cassette and CD by Kingsway Music (with the CD featuring an extra track, “La Alleluia / When I Find Your Love”).

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