Shout to the North

Let's begin with the bottom line: if you enjoyed Robin Mark's 1999 Revival in Belfast, a landmark recording sporting dynamic versions of the title track to the project reviewed here, "Garments of Praise," "You're the Lion of Judah," "Jesus, All for Jesus," and "Days of Elijah," stop right there and enjoy that project. Shout to the North, also recorded in Belfast, just doesn't match the quality, variation or worship intensity of its predecessor.

Depending on the listener's particular style and taste in worship, Shout to the North may be worth participation, but to this reviewer's taste, it sounds more like a summer camp singalong than the exciting changes of pace I expect from Robin Mark. "Let Everything that Has Breath" sets the pace for this project, as it's the most laid back version of Redman's song I've ever heard. The pacing does pick up briefly, with the most interesting performance from this project, "Revival" (arguably a better performance than the Belfast reading) but it's downhill from there. By the time the medley of "Amazing Grace," "No Not By Might," and "Are You Washed in the Blood" arrives (not quite half way through the project), the listener may have fallen asleep.

I am disappointed by the lack of what sounds like "big production" from Revival in Belfast, with the multitude of pennywhistles, pipes, and accordions. There's a horn in the title track, but it's not the mighty, majestic sound from the predecessor to this project.

The definite strength of Shout to the North is its voices, making it very good live praise and worship music. The recording includes lots and lots of singing voices, which makes it worship-friendly for a church setting. However, to take it home and enjoy in a one-on-one basis is up to the listener. I clearly prefer Revival in Belfast, and I hope Robin Mark will return to that intensity and variation of production and worship very soon.

Rated 1.5 out of 5