Various Artists
Portrait of a Spirit
Reviewed by Doug Van Pelt
This album is a collection of hand-picked tunes by Pakaderm artists that give a closer, intimate look at their hearts. Here's a short "snipet" look at each song: David Robertson sounds like Michael Sweet in "The House of the Lord," a pretty song with full sound. Richie Furay sings on "Man of Many Sorrows," an acoustic, Country-fied ditty with steel guitar, and "Song of the Lamb," which is one of the more generic tunes on the album. Brighton creates a very cool "back woods" vibe with the slide guitar and great BGV's on "Taking Back the Land." Sara Tennison's tune, "What Did I Ever Do," sounds like something Susan Ashton or Kim Hill would do. This is some good exposure for her vocal talents. "Shelter Me" is a shocker coming from X-Sinner. It sounds like something The Byrds would've done in the 60's, due to the big BGV's. Rex Scott's vocals cry above the crowd a few times to good effect. Mark Pogue's "Thou Shalt Love" sounds like a Michael W. Smith tune. Guardian wows us with an old-time Delta Blues ditty called "Take Up Your Cross," with the backyard picnic/front porch gang all clappin' along. The tune is very traditional in the choruses, kinda like those ole Sunday School or Sunday night service tunes--very down-home-ish, ya know? "Real Life Conversation" by Halo is an intimate tune with a major chord Pop feel and uplifting lyrics. The Heard (the Pakaderm gang) huddled around the microphone for "We Need Jesus," a unifying rally cry.