Description
Journeys with Garth Hewitt: The Holy Land is a compilation album by the British singer and songwriter Garth Hewitt, released on Myrrh Records in 1996, a division of Word. The compilation album bringing together songs inspired by Garth Hewitt’s travels to the Holy Land. It is the first of four installments of the Journeys with Garth Hewitt Series. (Journeys with Garth Hewitt: Africa, Journeys with Garth Hewitt: Asia, and Journeys with Garth Hewitt: Latin America, being the second, the third, and the fourth and final, installments, respectively.)
The British CCM scene is such that few of its artists can boast nearly three decades of active service, and fewer possess the same drive they started out with. Garth Hewitt scores on both counts and this four-CD collection finally gives him the “boxed set” his staying power deserves. Fittingly, this trawl through Hewitt’s archives concentrates on songs written about his extensive travels, with each CD devoted to a region (the Holy Land, Latin America, Africa and Asia). His ability to adapt to prevailing musical styles is showcased well, with his synth-driven ’80s material bookended by his early “70s singer/songwriter” sound and the rootsy direction he returned to in this decade. The social conscience in Hewitt’s songwriting is probably his most significant contribution to British CCM, and this set highlights this aspect of his career admirably. Much of Hewitt’s back catalogue has long been unavailable, though, and a more comprehensive selection from his career would have earned a square or two more from this reviewer. However, for those who are new to Hewitt’s work, ‘The Journeys Collection’ is for now the definitive introduction to this most influential Christian artist. Now, how about a decent ‘Best Of 1973-1999’ collection, Word? [Tim Walker, Cross Rhythms, February 2000]
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CD tracklist:
01. Ten Measures of Beauty (Pray for the Peace)
02. I Didn’t Speak Up
03. Stronger Than the Storm
04. Better Read the Writing on the Wall
05. Where is the Land of Palestine
06. O Palestine
07. Blood Brothers (When Will the Children of Abraham)
08. Song for Miriam
09. Chain of Love
10. Deep Silence
Note: Re-issued on CD by Garth Hewitt on his own label Amos Trust in 2003, featuring new cover artwork. Featuring newly remastered added tracks: “They’ve Cancelled Christmas in Bethlehem (The Wall Must Fall)”, “The Broken Heart of Gaza”, and “Hidden From View”.
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