Faroe Islands

Description

Faroe Islands is the eighth studio album by the American singer and songwriter Russ Taff, independently released on Spring Hill in August 2011.

Christian music’s most unique voice continues his legendary thirty-year recording legacy with a project inspired by friends from and recorded in the Faroe Islands. An amalgamation of his career’s genre-bending diversity, the bluesy singer covers southern rock («Rock Bound»), pop («Love Is a Cross»), alt-country («Here Comes Jesus»), gospel («Heaven»), and inspirational tearjerkers («Help Me») compellingly, while alternating original co-writes with his Faroe friends with high-profile covers of Larry Gatlin and Bob Dylan. Horn hits, ultimate background vocal soul, and funky tight band arrangements complete the stellar set. And though the album’s influences are varied, Taff’s scruffy vocal soul is constant. [Andrew Greer, CT, August 2011]

All long term Cross Rhythms readers/listeners will recognise the bluesy rasp of Russ, one of Christendom’s most talented veterans. In recent years he has been working with the Gaithers but with this set returns to the edgier, bluesier sounds that made his ‘Medals‘ album such a creative tour de force on its release in 1985. ‘Faroe Islands’ is Russ’ 11th solo release and was inspired by and recorded at the very same place. «Here Comes Jesus» is a funky blue eyed soul number with a great guitar riff and superb drums, building to include a magnificent brass section and gospel choir. And that’s just the first track! «Harvest» takes it down a gear, sensitive and again with a magnificent vocal performance. «Heaven» has more funky brass and gospel choir; the supporting cast for this recording are top rate musicians and the producers have captured some excellent performances. This is a very accessible album, full of great songs, catchy tunes and a familiar feeling throughout even though there are only a handful of covers, including «I Believe In You» by Bob Dylan. Highly recommended, I haven’t stopped playing it since I put it on! [Paul Kerslake, Cross Rhythms, September 2011]

> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/faroe-islands/715599049)

CD tracklist:

01. Here Comes Jesus – 4:57
02. Harvest – 5:15
03. Heaven – 4:39
04. Missionary Man – 5:07
05. God’s Love – 3:30
06. Lifting Me Higher – 2:52
07. Ecclesiastes – 3:43
08. You’re Still So Good – 3:51
09. Man of Sorrow – 4:51
10. Mend This Broken Heart – 3:24
11. Help Me – 4:34
12. Rock Bound – 3:50
13. Go Play In the Sun – 5:11
14. I Believe In You – 4:42
15. Love Is a Cross – 3:39
16. Day By Day – 4:29