Description
Monument to Mercy is a studio album by the British worship singer and songwriter Stuart Townend, released on Kingsway Music in June 2006. The album was recorded and mixed by Colin Walker at Doz Studios in Fordcombe/Kent and at Orange Room Studios in Brighton, England; with Mark Edwards producing. Strings performed by the FILMharmonic Orchestra at the Rudolfinum’s Dvořák Hall in Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic; engineered by Oldřich Slezák assisted by Cenda Kotzmann, and produced and arranged by Getty Orchestrations. Brass arranged by Michael Babb.
Featuring Stuart Townend on vocals and acoustic guitar (as well as piano on tracks 8 and 10); producer Mark Edwards on piano and keyboards (as well providing programming); Alan Rose on electric guitar; Matt Weeks on bass; and Paul Evans on drums. Brass provided by Simon Saville (cornet), David Fellingham (cornet and flugelhorn), Matt Weeks (flugelhorn on track 6), Jonathan Clements (tenor horn), Mike Saville (euphonium), Steve Green (trombone), and Michael Babb (tuba). Background vocals provided by Chris Hanby, J. K. Jamieson, Lou Fellingham, and Mark Read. As well featuring a vocal group consisting of Alan Rose, Felicity Birch, Hanna Bell, Heather Edwards, Jenny Jarvis, Jos Wintermeyer, Jules Burt, Kate Simmonds, Kit Ashton, Michelle Moore, Rachel Fellingham, Ruthie Tuson, Sarah Sambles, and Simon Brading.
Stuart Townend is undoubtedly one of the UK’s masters when it comes to writing hymns and songs for worship. This new collection includes a couple of collaborations with hymn writing partner Keith Getty, the beautiful «Oh To See The Dawn» and «See What A Morning», both of which are already popular. Townend has the skill to write songs that are packed with truth and when matched with memorable melodies, they are perfect for congregational worship. Songs like «For the Breaking Of The Dawn» and «In Every Day That Dawns» are nicely produced by Mark Edwards with everything working towards bringing out the strong melodies and inspiring words. There are some nice little moments where Edwards has thrown in a few embelishments like the air raid sirens on «Beloved And Blesses» which only add to the whole recording. With four of the songs here mentioning dawn or morning, I wonder whether Townend should start writing songs in the evenings to get some variation for the next set. «What Love» stands out with its pounding piano rhythm and confident chorus and at the other extreme, «Blessed Spirit» is a lovely simple hymn based on an old Puritan prayer. There’s no doubt that a lot of these songs are going to find their way into congregations the world over by virtue of Townend’s sheer skill and sensitivity as a writer. It’s well produced and the only niggle I have is with Stuart’s voice. He can certainly hold a tune and in a live worship setting he’s fine however I am not convinced that on studio recordings like this one that his voice really holds up. He writes great songs, he’s just not a great singer and repeated listens only reinforce this. However with a ministry to write songs for the whole church, ‘Monument To Mercy’ is a rich library of new songs. [Mike Rimmer, Cross Rhythms, June 2006]
> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/monument-to-mercy/1792039986)
CD tracklist:
01. In Every Day That Dawns (I’m Grateful)
02. Knowing Your Grace (Child Of The King)
03. The Lord’s My Shepherd (Psalm 23)
04. For Every Child (Kyrie)
05. From The Breaking Of The Dawn (Every Promise)
06. What Love (Filled With Wonder)
07. Oh To See The Dawn (The Power Of The Cross)
08. Blessed Spirit (Puritan Prayer)
09. Beloved And Blessed
10. My God
11. See What A Morning (Resurrection Hymn)
Note: CD housed in a Hardback Book.
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.