Catherine L. Tully, Celtic MP3s Music Magazine
|
Uplifting
This is a truly different CD than you might expect for one with Celtic music on it. If you put it on and listen without expectations you should walk away quite happy! You'll find Scottish and Irish music, bluegrass, rock and Jewish/Israeli worship music, all carrying a spiritual message. The music is uplifting, and the mixture of styles is interesting. Don't miss the first track, I Will Lift My Eyes Up, which leaves you feeling really good with it's Celtic sound and spiritual message.
The Celtic songs worked better for me than the rock-style ones, but the lyrics overall carry a positive feeling throughout the CD which is actually a nice change from the standard fare. The Jewish/Israeli worship songs worked well too. Even though they had a totally different feel, they weren't such a stretch that those who like the other tracks would want to pass on them.
The spiritual messages throughout this CD were really what tied it all together. Don't expect your typical Celtic-style album and you will be pleased with the variety offered here. A good choice for those who would like a little bit of a lift and something different.
Read more...
|
Stephen Beckmeyer for CelticChristianTunes.com
|
an enjoyable and diverse collection of music ... well worth hearing’
Into Jerusalem is the latest CD from Raymond McCullough, a singer-songwriter based in Belfast, Northern Ireland. This worshipful album incorporates influences of Celtic, Bluegrass, Rock, and Hebrew music. All the music and lyrics are written by McCullough, except for "My Lagan Love", a traditional air. The main vocals are by Raymond McCullough, and he and his band play the many instruments on the recording.
McCullough also designed the liner notes, which include lyrics to all the songs and feature photographs of Jerusalem embellished with Celtic art, providing a fitting visual complement to the music.
The songs with the strongest Scottish-Irish influence are tracks one, six, seven, and eight. "I Will Lift My Eyes Up", based on Psalm 121, is backed by fiddle and flute and also has a bluegrass influence. "You are My Inspiration" is rockier, with a percussion and synthesiser introduction, but it becomes more Celtic sounding with the entry of the singers, and ends with an instrumental section reminiscent of a pipe march. "You Fill My Life" is relaxed, contemplative, and inspirational and includes beautiful instrumental sections featuring flute and fiddle. McCullough's voice seems strained in places in "Prayer for Ireland", as if the key was too high perhaps, but the lyrics, about the need for peace in Ireland, are both true and important not only for Ireland, but the rest of the world. The Celtic/rock song goes into "The Pipe Major's Jig", a lively tune written by McCullough in memory of David Warnock.
"All My Needs" comes straight from the bluegrass tradition, complete with banjo and fiddle, and is a cheerful song about having faith in God to supply our every need. "Thank You for Your Mercy" blends bluegrass and Celtic influences, and, though the intonation of the backup instruments is not always perfect, the words to this laid-back song are a fitting close to the album.
Track three is a combination of Celtic and rock, while four and five are the rockiest tracks. "Battle Cry" begins with a flute introduction, but gets rockier as the piece progresses. It is followed by "Lift up Your Heads", a rock anthem introduced by synthesiser and rock-organ and reminiscent of '70s music. "Pray" reminds the listener that God is always there through our every need and that no matter what goes wrong, we need to pray.
Tracks nine through eleven are very Hebrew/Israeli in style. "Ride Into Jerusalem" has a great tune and arrangement, but as with track eight, McCullough's vocals sound strained in a couple of places; however, they are the exception, and only detract slightly from the arrangement as a whole. "Worship the Lord" compels the listener to do just that, and features strong vocals by both Raymond and his daughter, Connaire McCullough. "Oh, Ephraim" is a very enjoyable track, and though the meaning of the chorus is not immediately apparent, the lyrics come from Isaiah 11:13 and 12:1-2; they proclaim that God will deliver his people bringing peace and unity.
On the whole, McCullough presents an enjoyable and diverse collection of music on Into Jerusalem, which is well worth hearing.
Sample tracks from both Into Jerusalem and McCullough's previous album The Great China Bike Ride, as well biographies and other information can be found on his website.
Read more...
|
Ciro Velasquez, eufOnia radio, Monterrey, Mexico
|
The CD keeps the same mood between a rock album, a folk and a country one ...
A hebrew-irish-gospel-folk album this time from "The Commander" McCullough is what we have with this second CD: "Into Jerusalem".
The sound has improved a lot, like elements in the composition. McCulloguh has even take control over the way his voice sounds, making some Jethro Tull's Ian Anderson tricks in order to get the best of beats and arrangements and "punching" with his voice knowing that his is not a privileged one, but seeking what seems to be the most important thing: to express himself through music.
A totally gospel oriented album that starts with an irish-sounding "I Will Lift My Eyes Up", followed by a more gospel-themed "All My Needs" trying to get a "reel-ish" sound, that becomes a more country track plagued of irish folk.
"Battle Cry" grows more irish, i believe, thanks to the violins and whistles, that transport you to the Islands. It's noticeable though, that the voice has to make an improvement. Again, the feeling of the singer/songwriter is more important in this case. While "Lift Your Heads" tries to become an hymn, with more rock elements on it. You can time-travel back some decades...
The CD keeps the same mood between a rock album, a folk and a country one, with some variations and combinations. The highlight? "You Fill My Life" a simple track, soft and irish that reflects, in my opinion, what Raymond can transmit and deliver. My favorite track of the CD.
The album gets a more solemn or sad mood from "Ride Into Jerusalem" until the final "Thank You", another irish-country-like track.
Read more...
|
Paul Davis, Country Music Round Up magazine, (UK) - 2006-04-01
|
Intense and passionate ... ‘Irish and Scots Celtic’ to the core! ... his style h
The UK's worship scene is enriched by diversity of talent. This roots CD of reels, jigs and ballads is an earthy treatment and an unusual reading of familiar theological themes. Rather less sophisticated than most worship material, it is intense and passionate. This direct lyric-and-beat is ideal repertoire for folk-country-gospel worship interpretation. Although this worship music-mix is at times a la Israeli in flavouring, it remains 'Irish and Scots Celtic' to the core! Unruffled and underexposed, the songs may come from Mr McCullough's talented pen but they could be presented in a wider contemporary fashion too, well suited for the repertoire paraded before Celtic-country instruments.
Read more...
|