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''Whole story well told by Govan Songsters''

Songster Leader KEVIN ASHMAN (Maidstone) reviews ‘ Alive’, a CD by Govan Songsters

I’M ALWAYS interested in a new recording from any corps, if only to discover what music other songsters are using – and how well they are singing! So I was delighted to be given the chance to listen to Govan Songsters’ new recording, Alive.

SP&S Ltd has established a reputation for quality recordings that are well packaged and presented, and it’s great to see corps songsters being promoted in this way. The cover image is striking and looks good, and the booklet notes are informative and well written.

Songster Leader Chic Ramsay’s choice of programme is well balanced and offers the songsters the chance to sing at their best. The content is typical of music being used by songsters around the UK. There is nothing highbrow here, and I can easily imagine tracks from this CD being used to great effect to enhance worship in many corps where there is no choir to contribute to the meetings.

From the first notes of ‘I Feel Like Praisin’ Him’ I was impressed by the overall sound and character of the singing, with clear diction and good balance between the voice parts. This is demonstrated further in the more reflective second song, Len Ballantine’s ‘And You Will Be My Witnesses’, where the smooth melodic lines are well presented and shaped and the transitions into the more rhythmic sections of the song are unobtrusive and naturally negotiated.

Throughout the programme the clear thematic thread of the title is developed, with references to Christmas in Keith Banks’s and Peter Ayling’s ‘ Glory To God’, and personal faith and personal experience expressed in such songs as ‘Close To Me’, ‘My Strength Alone’ and ‘My Shepherd’. The songsters adapt well to the varied styles of music and the words are clear and easy to understand. The atmospheric keyboard introduction to ‘The Majesty And Glory Of Your Name’ comes as a strong contrast, and the melodic lines sound well in the impressive accoustic of the Sherbrooke St Gilbert’s church in Glasgow.

Audrey Ramsay’s warm alto voice conveys the song ‘Somebody’s Prayin’ extremely well, accompanied by well-balanced piano and vocals.

Geron Davis’s ‘Holy Ground’ leads into a segment of songs linked to Easter, with the meditative ‘Written In Red’ followed by the Bartlett brothers’ upbeat Latino-style ‘Easter Tale’ and then Tom Fettke’s ‘Alive’ – the title track. The songsters present the varied styles with conviction and commitment.

Richard Smallwood’s ‘Total Praise!’ has gained popularity since the ISS recorded it and Peter Graham subsequently included its dramatic conclusion in the ending of ‘The Last Amen’. The songsters present it well with an impressive build-up to the final chords. The final item, by way of a benediction, is Dick and Melody Tunney’s ‘In His Presence’. The lyrics of this beautiful song come through clearly in this well-crafted and sensitively shaped presentation.

The accompaniment team of pianist, bass and percussion support the singing very well, never overpowering the vocal lines, and providing rhythmic and well-balanced support throughout.

A critical listener could pinpoint occasional imperfections, but the overall impression of this recording is great. Congratulations to all involved in the project! It’s a really listenable CD, which I’m sure will bless, inspire and encourage all who hear it.