Description
Australia Worships: The Great Southland is an Australian multi-artist album praise & worship project released on Maranatha! International in 1992, distributed in Australia by Southern Heartland Music Company. Also released in the US, distributed by The Benson Company. The album was recorded and mixed by Colin Webber, assisted by Andrew McPherson, at Nightlight Studios in New South Wales, Australia; with Peter Beveridge producing and arranging for Maranatha! Australia, assisted by Colin Webber (“additional arrangements and producer’s assistant”). Mixed by Guy Gray and Peter Beveridge.
Featuring lead vocals by Christie Moussa, David Evans, Esther Taylor, Hugh Wilson, Jackie Jensen, John Dickson, Karen Beckett, Elizabeth Taylor, Randall Waller, Rebecca Taylor, Sarah Taylor, Steve Grace, and Tony Williams, with harmony vocals provided by Christie Moussa, David Butts, David Evans, Glenn Feehan, Jackie Jensen, Jacqui Hall, Lucy Fisher, Narelle Nielson, and Tony Williams.
Featuring a session band consisting of Colin Webber, Geoff Bullock, and Peter Beveridge on keyboards; Andrew Oh on saxophone; David Holmes on guitar (with Randall Waller providing solo guitar on track 13); Andy James on bass; and Phill Saddleton on drums. Didgeridoo provided by John Dickson.
An album that goes under the subtitle ‘Australia Worships’. Why is it that our Antipodean cousins find things so easy these days? This album has all the simplicity of a ‘Neighbours’ in its appeal. No messing around, just straight to the point lyrics and good music. It’s very reminiscent of late 60s/early 70s in its delivery, in that you’re hit smack between the eyes with the power and gutsiness of the message. As with most Aussies, there’s the traditional banner-waving bit of their homeland and the title track, sung in raucous rock by Steve Grace, is well worth your ears. Our Aussie brethren don’t seem to be too hot on chorus-style worship, «Let It Shine» being poor in comparison to the rest of the alburn. Their talent seems to lie, at least in this collection, in their ability to master the emotional. «Your Name» and «Draw Near To Me» being two prime examples. For beauty look no further than «Swept Away», delving into Beach Boys «Lady Lynda» territory of the 80s. And then there’s the climax to the album – «Abide With Me», yes, that one. They’ve turned it into a rock ballad and whilst not being a great lover of altering the original music I have to say that it impressed me greatly. At times this is light years ahead of worship in the UK. [Chris Berry, Cross Rhythms, October 1992]
> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/australia-worships-the-great-southland/716268332)
CD tracklist:
01. The Great Southland (Lead vocals by Steve Grace) – 5:08
02. Days Of The Latter Rain (Lead vocals by Tony Williams) – 4:56
03. Let It Shine (Lead vocals by John Dickson) – 6:00
04. More Of You (Lead vocals by Christie Moussa) – 4:50
05. Your Name (Lead vocals by Hugh Wilson) – 3:56
06. Lord Of Creation (Lead vocals by Karen Beckett) – 5:10
07. Maranatha (Lead vocals by David Evans) – 2:25
08. Zion (Lead vocals by David Evans) – 3:39
09. Draw Near To Me (Lead vocals by Taylor) – 4:22
10. A New Day (Lead vocals by David Evans) – 3:25
11. Swept Away (Lead vocals by Tony Williams) – 4:07
12. Heart Of Mine (Lead vocals by Jackie Jensen) – 4:45
13. Abide With Me (Lead vocals by Randall Waller) – 5:06
Note: Simultaneously released on cassette and CD by Maranatha! International.
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