Bryn Haworth

Item: Songs and Hymns
Author: James Stewart

Songs and Hymns

(1999)

Reviewed by James Stewart

Discogs Bandcamp

Label Kingsway MusicThe Phantom Tollbooth1999

acoustic blues worship

Slide guitarists don't come much better than Bryn Haworth. In the late sixties and early seventies he worked with many of the greats of soul and blues, and more recently has released a number of classics of the British Christian music market. To mark the 25th year since his conversion he has chosen to record a collection of songs and hymns which have helped him in his Christian walk, and has thrown in a few originals for good measure.

Haworth is measured in both his vocal delivery and his guitar playing, combining a soft, mature voice with the sort of understated playing that only a master could carry through. The combination lends a certain peaceful, meditative feeling to the songs.

Unfortunately none of the arrangements particularly sparkles. The recordings are generally fair interpretations of some timeless classics, but bring little that is new to bear. Unfortunately, some of Haworth's original songs are also not up to the standard we might expect. In particular, the track "More Lord," focused on the desire to know more of God and receive more of his blessings, results more in the feel of a child whining for more gifts than a man realising he needs more of God's grace.

The playing is of the highest quality, but generally this album fails to convince. We can but hope that Haworth will return to stronger territory soon.