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CD Reviews

Across The Lands Reviews

REVELATION - Across The Lands Review by Paul Heil

Revelation is Northern Ireland's premier Southern Gospel music trio, and group members Thomas McCalmont (tenor), David Strange (baritone) and Andy Calderwood (lead) launch themselves into the United States with this amazingly powerful national debut album. "Across The Lands" features songs influenced by American bluegrass, Southern Gospel, and, of course, Celtic music. With a rich blend of influences, solid vocals and skillful music, the songs and message of this album are wonderfully presented, astonishingly so for a debut!

Each genre that the album draws from is highlighted in various songs. Southern Gospel comes to the forefront in "Beyond The Open Door," previously recorded by the Gaither Vocal Band. Similarly, "See Ya Over There" is the closest thing on the album to a convention-style song and "The Greatest Wonder" is another work that reflects a Southern Gospel sound.

The unique feel of Celtic music lends a distinctive flair to the project. "See What A Morning," a modern hymn by Keith and Kristyn Getty (writers of "In Christ Alone") and Stuart Townsend, is a fast and energetic song which draws heavily on Celtic sounds, much to its advantage. The classic Irish hymn "Be Thou My Vision" is featured with marvellous results. While an old song, the arrangement takes advantage of influences from both sides of the Atlantic to create a warmth and depth that makes it new and fresh again. Altogether, this album is a tribute to the quality of Revelation's talents and gives us great hopes for what is to come from this outstanding trio.

CD Review: Across the Lands (Revelation) Review by Daniel J. Mount

Posted by Daniel J. Mount on Nov 5, 2010

Southern Gospel is distinguished as a genre by its vocals. Our vocal blends are rooted in four-part male quartet harmonies—the second highest voice taking the lead, with the highest and lowest voices redefining the boundaries of what a male voice can do. Male trios use the same formula, minus the bass part. Mixed groups with one female voice also follow the same formula, sometimes a couple of keys higher depending on the female vocalist’s range.

Over the years, musical changes in the genre have predominantly been to the tracks / background music. While a piano initially provided the only accompaniment for most groups, live three and four piece bands made a strong showing in the ’60s-early ’90s. In the ’70s and since, new influences have come in from orchestrated Inspirational music, CCM’s Adult Contemporary music (which, in turn, drew its influences from secular pop), and American-rooted genres like bluegrass and country.

Early this year, I was discussing some of this with a friend, and commented that the time was right for a group to incorporate Celtic influences into a Southern Gospel setting. It’s not too far a stretch from Bluegrass-influenced groups to the Celtic sound, since Bluegrass derives its ethnic roots from Scotch-Irish immigrants who had a Celtic heritage.

Well, the time has arrived. The group Revelation is here, and it is worth the wait.

Revelation hails from Northern Ireland, the Protestant portion of the Emerald Isle. Its members, tenor Thomas McCalmont, lead David Strange, and baritone Andy Calderwood share the Celtic roots of their homeland, the Protestant faith of their Scottish Covenanter forebears, and a love of groups like Paid in Full, Greater Vision, and the Gaither Vocal Band.

Most of the songs have been cut before, though several are new to the genre. A song-by-song breakdown:

1. See What a Morning. From the opening notes, it’s quite evident that this isn’t your typical Southern Gospel project. This modern hymn, co-written by Keith and Kristyn Getty and Stuart Townsend, is given an invigorating, uptempo Celtic treatment featuring tenor Thomas McCalmont.
2. The Greatest Wonder. After the opening track sending the message that Across the Lands will be a unique take on Southern Gospel, this one reassures the listener that it’s indeed a Southern Gospel project. Baritone Andy Calderwood takes the lead on a track that would be just as at home on a Talley Trio or Kingsmen project.
3. Be Thou My Vision. If you have heard so many versions of “Be Thou My Vision” that you can no longer stand the song, no worries—I was there, too. Note the past tense. There is something incredibly compelling about the fusion of a Celtic-infused track, Irish accents, and Southern Gospel power harmonies. It just works. By the final verse, the arrangement is so broad and expansive that one might almost assume there was an orchestra in the mix—but there isn’t, just an incredibly well-balanced fusion of Celtic and Southern Gospel instrumentation.
4. Hear the Call of the Kingdom. Lead singer David Strange takes his first full solo of this project (apart from a solo line in verse three of “Be Thou My Vision”), on a track also penned by the Getty/Getty/Townsend combo.
5. I Will Praise Him Forever. This song was written by Shantell Faulknor of Voices Won, and originally recorded by Voices Won on their Easier to Live project. All three members of the trio have strong Irish accents while speaking, but baritone Andy Calderwood’s voice is the one that most shows his native land through melody; his solo here is one of the best vocal performances on a project full of strong vocal deliveries.
6. Across the Lands. This is the project’s third (and final) Keith Getty / Stuart Townsend-penned song. The vibrant Celtic-influenced track and appropriately international lyric made this a logical pick for first single. David Strange is featured.
7. He Looked Beyond My Faults. The Dottie Rambo lyric is set to the Irish “Londonderry Aire” (also known as the tune for “Danny Boy”), making it a must-include for a recording introducing a trio from Ireland to U.S. Southern Gospel audiences. Thomas McCalmont offers a lilting, ethereal delivery; combined with a mellow, pleasant track, this, perhaps surprisingly, ends up as one of the project’s strongest moments.
8. See Ya Over There. This song, penned by Soul’d Out Quartet lead singer/manager Matt Rankin, offers the most straight-ahead, uptempo convention-style singing we see from Revelation on this project. There’s no solo; the group sings together throughout (though Thomas McCalmont has a step-out line on the turnaround).
9. He Never Changes. David Strange takes the lead on this slow-paced song, and gives the lyric an appropriately thought-provoking delivery.
10. Beyond the Open Door. Thomas McCalmont takes the lead on this largely forgotten ballad from the Gaither Vocal Band’s 1990 project A Few Good Men. It’s perhaps the most straight-ahead big ballad on the project, with strings and a well-executed Jeremy Medkiff guitar solo building to a huge chorus/final chorus/bridge.
11. See What a Morning (encore). After one more chorus of this Getty/Townsend song, tenor Thomas McCalmont closes the project with a narration of John 11:26 and I Cor. 15:53 (“Jesus said, ‘I am the Resurrection and the Life. He that believes in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live.’” “Death is swallowed up in victory.”) It’s a fitting end to a project by a group who takes their name from the Bible’s final book—and adds an all-too-brief peek at Revelation’s charming Ulster Scots accents.

Across the Lands isn’t just the best Southern Gospel debut project of the year. It’s one of the five best Southern Gospel projects of the year.

Produced by: Jeff Collins. • Group Members: Thomas McCalmont (tenor), David Strange (baritone), Andy Calderwood (lead). • Available from: Label, Artist. Review copy provided. • Song list: See, What a Morning; Greatest Wonder; Be Thou My Vision; Hear the Call of the Kingdom; I Will Praise Him Forever; He Looked Beyond My Faults; I’ll See You Over There; He Never Changes; Beyond the Open Door; See What a Morning (Reprise). • Average song rating: 4.55 stars. CD rating: 5 stars.

CD Review – Revelation – Across The Lands Review by Phil Boles

Posted January 29, 2011 by Phil Boles

“Across The Lands” is the aptly titled, debut release for Revelation under theCrossroads Music label. After two projects that included mostly cover versions of hit southern gospel songs, it was encouraging to see a Northern Irish group push the envelope in terms os style, song selection and sound.

Drawing upon the celtic connection was a given for Revelation for this project. The entire CD is not saturated with celtic sounds however. This allows the album to have the key element of variety as well as having a clear hit-tip to its roots. This celtic feel is most evident on songs like, “Be Thou My Vision”, “Across The Lands” and “He looked Beyond My Fault”.

Vocally the trio have a refreshing blend, which has elements of Paid in Full, Greater Vision in the mix, yet avoid the effect of being a carbon copy. Revelation draw upon the strengths of various groups and incorporate their own, dynamic blend. I think what helps to cultivate such a fresh sound is the accents. Northern Ireland has the variety when it comes to regional dialects!

Technically speaking, Revelation have the key elements for a close blending trio, a tenor that has a beautiful, defining tone, a strong lead singer and underpinned with a blending baritone to make the sound fuller. Andy Calderwood sings baritone, Thomas McCalmont sings tenor and David Strange keeps everyone right with the lead part.

Song selection was one of the strongest elements of this project, fresh material that has never really been touched by a southern gospel group helped to make this project really strong. The Keith & Kristen Getty influence is clear to see on the album. (Keith Getty was born in my hometown, Lisburn and also attended the same High School as me, Friends School Lisburn!)

I will openly admit that I was not a huge fan of Getty music, not for any particular reason, I simply prefer my music in a quartet style if possible, trio will also do! In this situation you have a great fusing together of incredible lyrics, with a great melody and sung in a uniquely Revelation style.

Naturally, as I’m also from the great wee country of Northern Ireland, I have much to be proud of concerning Revelation.

However more than the music, more than sounding great every time they sing and no matter how much product they sell, Revelation have always been and will remain, focused upon using music to spread the message of Jesus Christ.

Revelation - Across the Lands by Carol Lawson 08/01/2011

Rating

Revelation - Across the Lands

Producer: Jeff Collins

Label: Crossroads Music

Website: http://www.revelationministry.co.uk

Thomas McCalmont, tenor; David Strange, lead; and Andy Calderwood, baritone are collectively known as Revelation. They are Northern Ireland’s premier trio. Their Celtic roots and gospel harmonies make them nothing short of top notch. Their desire is to see many precious souls won for Christ, through song and testimony, before the great and imminent day of His return.

Their unique sound and style is dynamic and refreshing. It’s a harmonious blend of three great voices. Thomas does a great job with his beautiful tenor voice, defining his tone. David is a strong lead singer, and Andy’s blending baritone makes this a really strong project. Being from Ireland, you can expect the Celtic sound to be present. That’s just the case with several of the songs on this project: “See What A Morning,” “Be Thou My Vision,” and title cut “Across the Lands." Dottie Rambo’s song “He Looked Beyond My Faults” is another song that these guy do an awesome job on. “See Ya Over There,” an uptempo campmeeting style song, will have you tapping your toes. This song is probably my favorite on the project, although they are all good. I love the ending of the project, after the reprise of “See What A Morning” is a narrative of John 11:26 and I Corinthians 15:54.

This project is their debut release on the Crossroads label and is one loaded with new, fresh material and great vocals. You will not be disappointed with this project and it is one that will never grow old, no matter how many times you listen to it! With that said, I give this project 4½ stars.

CD Reviews - http://absolutelygospel.com/index/content/articles/revelation-across-the-lands/

REVELATION

30 October 2010 REVELATION

ACROSS THE LANDS

PINNACLE PR13062

Not to be missed, the blending of new-and-old Ulster-Gospel a la the slick harmony of Revelation. The guys give these ten favourites a boost of inspiration. Catchy-on-the-ear, one is engaged too by the instrumental sessioners of North Carolina. Here’s edifying and memorable messages-in-song. Produced by the well experienced USA-based Jeff Collins, this gifted male Trio should harvest considerable attention both sides of the Atlantic with this fresh and powerful album. It features colourful songwriting, particularly from Keith Getty. The punchy performances, start to beg comparisons with the finest. Subject-material enjoys competent songwriter inputs, tenderly-crafted philosophic ditties of faith and purpose. This is stylish ‘Ulster Gospel’ with fine musicianship with good vigorous vocals, a biting-edge album in the genre. http://www.pauldavisauthor.com/music_reviews.asp?reviewid=1000

Concert Review

Concert Review – Revelation – Across The Lands

Posted October 28, 2010

Filed under: Concert Review, Local Artist Spotlight, Southern Gospel Websites,Thoughts and Perspectives | Tags: A Cappella, Celtic, Crossroads, Crossroads Music, Keith & Kirsten Getty, Northern Ireland, Revelation, Southern Gospel,Thoughts |

Saturday 23rd October 2010 saw the launch of “Across The Lands”, a brand new project for Revelation under the Crossroads Music label.

The pressure must have been immense on Revelation before they took the stage, anticipation had been building over a period of months since the announcement was made that Revelation would be travelling across to the USA to record a new project, with Jeff Collins producing.

The start of the concert was delayed by fifteen or twenty minutes as the organisers had to put in more seats and try to accommodate the many people who turned out to support Revelation on their big night. Eventually the show got under way and after a brief opening act by local radio DJ Martin Moore, Revelation hit the stage and opened up with a splendid a cappella rendition of Happy Birthday for one audience member. After that they sang a mid tempo version of, “I Will Sing The Wondrous Story”. The harmony was smooth and really whetted the appetite for what was ahead.

The title track of the album came next, “Across The Lands”. Thomas set up the song by briefly explaining how the opportunity came about to work with Crossroads and what a joy and privilege it had been. Lead singer David Strange featured on, “Across The Lands” and did a stellar job communicating the lyric and tone of the song. “The Greatest Wonder” was up next and baritone Andy Calderwood delivered the song with confidence and with a great voice. ”Hear The Call of The Kingdom”, “Be Thou My Vision” were up next and both these songs went down well with the audience, the celtic roots evident in the tracks, which added a touch of originality, in my opinion!

The most enthusiastically received performance of the night came in the form of, “Days of Elijah”. This performance had an added twist, the daughter of lead singer David Strange and tenor, Thomas McCalmont’s two sons came on stage to have a go at singing. With a little vocal back up from the senior Revelation trio, the junior line-up did admirably well, capturing many hearts with a youthful enthusiasm!

The most tender moment of the night came in the form of a duet between David and Zara-Jayne Strange, singing, “Kisses & Hugs”. It was a lovely moment, very special as the it reflects the love that these parents have for their children.

Before the intermission there was one more song, a wonderfully a cappella rendition of “There is a Fountain”. The harmony is one thing when singing along with a track, but when all the music is stripped away it allows the vocals to be clearly heard. The vocals were incredible! Revelation have a really tight blend, as possessed by many of the industry’s top trios.

After intermission Revelation performed one of my favourite cuts on the new project, “See Ya Over There”. This song is stylistically reminiscent of Paid In Full. I love a good, up tempo, feel good song and this one hit the mark!

Thomas shared about the process of recording with Crossroads, from the very start of the journey until that very night. The Gaither Vocal Band song, “Beyond The Open Door” was a song that just collated all the thoughts and prayers of the group as they felt God guiding and leading. This song has many great lyrics and i enjoyed Thomas getting up high on different parts of the song.

George Strange, David’s Brother, then took the stage to sing bass with Revelation on the classic, “I Can’t Even Walk”. What a voice George has, it is rich and full and he sure was able to get down good and low. Not only a good vocalist, but a great communicator as well. This was one of the most well received songs of the evening, Northern Ireland loves bass singers!

David and Tom then swapped parts on, “I’m Telling The World About His Love”. This added a little variety to the arrangement and demonstrated the vocal flexibilities of the group. David mentioned that one night whilst practicing they swapped parts and decided to try it on the CD launch night. One thing to try it at home, another to pull it off live and in front of an audience!

Thomas featured next with the Dottie Rambo classic, “He Looked Beyond My Faults”. Thomas has a great tone to his voice and he was floating on some of the higher notes, one of my personal favourites from the concert. This song has a special resonance with Northern Ireland, the tune used for this song is the “Londonderry Air”.

“He Never Changes” was a song i was not familiar with, however I think this song will be played a great deal on my iPod over the coming weeks. The lyrical content is simple, yet they have a depth that really settles deep in your heart, couple this together with great harmony and its a simply brilliant live performance.

After this performance, David started off an impromptu rendition of “Through It All”, inviting the audience to sing along, it was a beautiful, spirit filled moment and the crowd enjoyed the opportunity to sing.

The final musically accompanied track of the night was, “See What A Morning”. A great concert ending song, that has victory as its theme and really paints a stirring picture for the believer and sinner alike. I love the reprise that Revelation have incorporated into the track, it just makes it for me!

Rounding out the evening was a beautiful version of Beulah Land, a cappella and with a little help from the audience. Vocally it was excellent, another stand out moment for me.

Overall, it was easily one of the most spirit filled concerts I have attended. From a purely musical perspective, Revelation have a special blend, I urge anyone who enjoys trio harmony or just harmony sung well, to purchase the new CD, “Across The Lands”.

One of the most special aspects about Revelation is that fact that they have just been themselves throughout the process of making a new record. Yes they have stylings and influences from the Southern Gospel world, (Greater Vision, Paid In Full etc) but they didn’t set out just to cover existing songs, just like the original recordings. Revelation have taken on songs with a twist and that alone sets them apart for me.