Description
Ishmael’s Songs & Hymns, sub-titled Heartfelt Worship for All Ages, is an album by the British singer and songwriter Ishmael, released on Elevation in April 2011. The album features special guest performances from Cathy Burton, Dave Bilbrough, Aaron Frith, Andy Piercy, and Martin Smith. The songs on the CD provide heartfelt worship for all ages.
The new album – Ishmael’s Songs and Hymns – comes after Ishmael’s personal battle against cancer and symbolises the artist’s feelings of struggle, grief, hope and faith. In the CD’s sleeve notes, Ishmael illuminates his meaningful inspiration for the album: “For my last 33 albums I wrote and recorded songs to encourage children to worship, but this time I needed to write songs and record an album to encourage ME to worship. I also wanted to re-record a few of the older songs that have meant so much to me. With all my unanswered questions I realise that God is God and is always worthy of praise.”
As most people will know Ian ‘Ishmael’ Smale is one of the founding fathers of UK Christian music having started off in acoustic rock gone on to a punk band before establishing an international following with dozens of albums of children’s music. Its great to see him back with an adult-targeted project and it’s particularly heartening to hear his gruff tones without the massed ranks of accompanying kiddiewinkers. The attractive album cover and the inclusion of a comprehensive lyric booklet had me favourably disposed towards this album from the start. Thankfully I wasn’t disappointed by the music. The melodies are catchy without being hackneyed, the lyrics aren’t Shakespeare but they are effective for praise and worship situations, and I can see how they would be appealing for everybody in a Christian family. The very personal sleeve notes tell us that because of health issues relating to his voice he got help on this album from other singers, including Dave Bilbrough and Cathy Burton and their contribution adds to the variety of the album. The opening track is well-chosen – upbeat and setting the tone and theme for the whole collection – “The presence of the Lord is in this place/ I am surrounded by his grace”. Many of the songs have an anthem-like quality, but I particularly liked the more personal and reflective «Psalm 139», sung and co-written by Andy Piercy – there’s a kind of Elvis Costello vibe about it. Suitably the album ends with a song of blessing – «May the Peace and Presence of the Lord», with Dave Bilbrough on guest vocal. Note also that the sleeve notes link to websites where one can access backing tracks and free downloads. [Brendan O’Regan, Cross Rhythms, July 2011]
The Songs & Hymns album helps sum up part of my journey of living in pain but always trying to stay positive over the past 3 years. Here are some of the reasons I chose and wrote a few of the songs. I wrote ‘In the presence of the Lord’ to remind me that the nearest to Heaven that I can be (without actually dying) is knowing God is here with me, and praising in the presence of the Lord. This song needed to rock and make a loud statement and not just be a gentle reflection. On a more gentle vein but for a similar reason, I included Psalm 139 which no one but Andy could sing! In Heaven, in hell, in a hospital bed, on chemo… God is there! This song is now about 40 years old but I still have to hold back the tears each time I listen to it on this album. Martin’s voice seems to make ‘Oh the peace’ all the more powerful. Not only does this song simply sum up the life of Christ but it reminds me that Jesus has provided a very special peace, love and joy for those who follow Him. Admittedly over the past few years I have not always felt that peace, love and joy but I believe that they have always been there. It was an amazing experience listening as Dave recorded ‘Amazing love’. I wrote the song shortly after feeling God had let me down. Of course God would never let me down but He does allow things to happen that I as a human cannot understand. I knew I had to write a song stating as many wonderful things about God that I could think of and could squeeze into a few verses. I am running out of space but there were specific reasons why I included or wrote all the other songs as well. I needed to make statements, declarations and most of all praise! Finally I felt I must include the odd little song sung by Cathy. ‘I just thank God.’ There are still lots of things I don’t understand but there are also lots of things that I know to be true. Most of all I do know that ‘Ever faithful ever true, God I trust in you.’ My prayer is that God’s anointing is upon these songs just as it was on the guest singers when they sang them. Of course this album is not just about my journey, my hope is that these simple songs and hymns will be a help, a blessing and a true encouragement to other believers as they experience the ups and downs that life on earth brings. I am so grateful to Aaron, Andy, Dave, Cathy and Martin helping me out with the vocals as I recently had a throat op and did not want to risk singing all 13 songs… Anyway good songs deserve great singers…and these friends of mine I think you’ll agree are some of the best! The songs and there singers are: God is here. God is present (Martin Smith) Almighty God is here (Andy Piercy) Blessed is the king who comes (Aaron Frith) Psalm 139 (Andy Piercy) May the peace and presence. (Dave Bilbrough) Oh the peace (Martin Smith) There is one true Messiah (Ish) Amazing love (Dave Bilbrough) Disciples of Jesus (Ish) I just thank God that it’s true (Cathy Burton) In the presence of the Lord (Ish) Father you made us (Cathy Burton) Hallelujah. Praise to Jesus (Aaron Frith) — Ishmael
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CD tracklist:
01. The Presence of the Lord – 3:44
02. Father You Made Us (feat. Cathy Burton) – 3:55
03. Oh the Peace (feat. Martin Smith) – 3:36
04. Disciples of Jesus – 2:27
05. Hallelujah Praise to Jesus (feat. Ishmael) – 3:14
06. Amazing Love (feat. Dave Bilbrough) – 4:54
07. There Is One True Messiah – 3:45
08. Psalm 139 (feat. Andy Piercy) – 4:45
09. Blessed Is the King Who Comes (feat. Aaron Frith) – 3:48
10. God Is Here, God Is Present (feat. Martin Smith) – 3:13
11. I Just Thank God (feat. Cathy Burton) – 3:23
12. Almighty God Is Here (feat. Andy Piercy) – 3:36
13. May the Peace and Presence of the Lord (feat. Dave Bilbrough) – 4:47
Note: Available at http://www.ishmael.org.uk/
Backing Tracks
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