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Based on the concept of healing in times of crisis,
Streams combines the talents of contemporary Christian music
heavy hitters and the Irish Film Orchestra (who contribute a
lavish orchestral suite) in an anthem of comfort for the weary,
the hurting, and the spiritually impoverished. From Cindy Morgan
( /exec/obidos/ts/artist-glance/70421/%24%7B0%7D )'s
broken-voiced lamentation on "Job" to Chris Rodriguez (
/exec/obidos/ts/artist-glance/112059/%24%7B0%7D )'s plea on
"Sanctuary," Streams speaks directly to Christians in times of
need, a subject not oft explored in CCM. Brighter territory is
surveyed on Sixpence None the Richer (
/exec/obidos/ts/artist-glance/137716/%24%7B0%7D )'s inspirational
pop gem "Breathe" and on Jaci Velasquez (
/exec/obidos/ts/artist-glance/151005/%24%7B0%7D )'s breathily
angelic rendering of the Michelle Tumes (
/exec/obidos/ts/artist-glance/154703/%24%7B0%7D )-penned "I Will
Rest in You." Intriguing pairings include Jon Anderson (
/exec/obidos/ts/artist-glance/123130/%24%7B0%7D ) of Yes with
modern-day soldiers of faith 4Him (
/exec/obidos/ts/artist-glance/35958/%24%7B0%7D ), Amy Grant (
/exec/obidos/ts/artist-glance/30031/%24%7B0%7D )'s supporting
tour of duty on the Delirious (
/exec/obidos/ts/artist-glance/147928/%24%7B0%7D )-led "Find Me in
the River," and a slightly revised version of Peter Gabriel (
/exec/obidos/ts/artist-glance/15391/%24%7B0%7D )'s "Don't Give
Up," which features a duet by Irish songbird Maire Brennan (
/exec/obidos/ts/artist-glance/73220/%24%7B0%7D ) and Michael
McDonald ( /exec/obidos/ts/artist-glance/73749/%24%7B0%7D ) of
the Doobie Brothers. --Paige La Grone
Review
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Truth in advertising is what listeners get from Words
beautiful Streams project. Promotional materials reference the
projects as a "soundtrack of hope," and that it may be. Producers
Loren Balman and Brent Bourgeois have incorporated an array of
talented vocalists, songwriters and players, yet have managed to
develop an album of material that is not merely a collection of
disparate songs and styles around a common theme, but rather a
musical experience that cohesively hangs together.
"Life is difficult," begins M. Scott Peck's pre-Christian
self-help best-seller, The Road Less Traveled. Over the years,
Christian music has often allowed that life is difficult without
Christ, but procled that once one accepted Jesus, things would
get easy. Good-intentioned efforts have failed to own the real
struggles, losses and pains that Christian people experience.
The greatest gift of Streams is the acknowledgment that life is
difficult, but that we are not alone. The validation that other
Christians are having similar experiences enables us to hear the
promise of God through Isaiah that "...waters shall burst forth
in the wilderness, and streams in the desert."
Unexpected couplings provide the record's musical surprises.
There's Clannad's Mare Brennan singing the Peter Gabriel role in
his classic, "Don't Give Up," joined by former Doobie Brother
Michael McDonald singing the Kate Bush part. It won't make you
forget the original, but it does sound great. Former Yes frontman
Jon Anderson brings vocal air to Bourgeois tune "The Only Thing I
Need." Amy Grant joins with Delirious on the English rockers'
song of plaintive praise, "Find Me in the River."
Elsewhere, the musical offerings vary but never compete with the
rather brooding, bittersweet vibe that owes its rich musical
coloring to the presence of the Irish Film Orchestra throughout.
Cindy Morgan delivers a passionate ballad, reflecting on the
biblical tale of "Job." Sixpence None the Richer's Leigh Nash
savors the close presence of God on "Breathe": "You're the breath
that I breathe." Point of Grace, Burlap to Cashmere, Jaci
Velasquez and others out songs of restoration.
After the vocal tracks, four instrumental offerings close out the
disc from the Irish orchestra. The lush sound is neither sweet
nor melancholy. It embraces the richness of human experience and
the longing for the wholeness that we only know in God's love.
Sometimes people of faith have unrealistic expectations and
inadequate theology in the face of difficulties. Streams is a
courageous attempt to affirm that in the face of our
inadequacies, still God walks with us amid the difficult
realities. In that, the project offers a healing balm to souls
living through desert times. -- Brian Quincy Newcomb (c) 1999 CCM
Communications, Inc. -- From CCM Magazine -- Subscribe Now! ( http://www.ccmmagazine.com/link.asp?link=21 )
