Singer & Songwriter of Orkney

“BEAUTIFUL” BY MICHAEL HARCUS

ISLAND IMAGE RECORDS, IIR006

Reviewed by Iain MacDonald

This is the 6th album from Westray singer-songwriter, Michael Harcus and although the others have been hugely popular, the production quality of “Beautiful” lifts it onto a new plane altogether.

The theme is exactly what you’d expect. Michael is an upfront Gospel singer and there’s no attempt to disguise that. The lyrics spring from a predictably solid and largely praise-based theology, which anyone familiar with previous recordings or live performances will be familiar with. In short, it’s a celebration of life and faith and one which stands in amazed wonder at the enduring love of God. The themes are big and liberating, a bit like the God they proclaim, and the musical quality proves worthy of the job in hand.

This is a thoroughly listenable album which, though essentially led by a contemporary guitar-based sound, manages to traverse the musical spectrum from the haunting harmonies of “Your Word, Love and Grace” to the sonorous heights of title track, “Beautiful”. In between you’ll find everything from upbeat country to the gently melodic, from jazzy tempos to the raw bluesy feel of “Two Ways”. All this is polished off with an invitation to get your knees up for the final track and just let it rip with guest fiddler, Andy Cant – Sankey on speed!

It’s a fulsome and classy production with 12 tracks, which manage to blend traditional, if timeless values, with contemporary music – listen to the almost Psalmodic lyrics of “The Lord is Good” in their thoroughly contemporary setting and you’ll hear what I mean. It succeeds through the quality of musicianship and production.

Michael is also joined by his now regular musical cast of: his wife Christine, who’s written one and co-written another of the tracks; Kenneth Harcus, drums, bass and writer of a further four; and the ever-splendid Mairi Warren on piano. Phil Anderson, producer, adds piano and guitar amongst others, whilst virtually everyone is in the vocal line-up somewhere.

The album is beautifully packaged in a background of stunning landscape and seascape photos.

It will no doubt succeed handsomely in preaching to the converted and will delight all those with a penchant for Gospel music. But an album of this quality deserves a wider audience still. Spread the Word!

MICHAEL HARCUS WITH FAMILY & FRIENDS
HYMNS & HARMONY

ISLAND IMAGE RECORDS IIR 007

Rating 8/10

Reviewed by Tom Lennie

The north isle of Westray is the spiritual jewel among Orkney’s 17 inhabited islands; its evangelical heritage dating back to the turn of the 19th century. Over 200 years later 30-something Harcus is one living evidence of that ongoing heritage.

Both his parents were involved in gospel groups and Michael’s musical tones have been familiar to Scottish gospel music lovers for many years.

Indeed ‘Hymns & Harmony’ is his sixth album recording since his debut in 1998. It differs from most of the others in that – bar one – these are not his own compositions. Instead, as its title suggests, this disc expresses the islander’s lifelong love of tried and tested gospel songs that are rich in melody, harmony and lyrical content.

Thankfully, it’s no mere regurgitation of grossly over-recorded tunes (though, despite its strong performance, I do question the need for another version of “Will The Circle Be Unbroken”).

These arrangements – care of Mike along with wife, Christine, and various Orkney, Shetland and mainland colleagues – come over with real musical aptitude and freshness of sound, and an uncanny depth of spirituality.

Side-by-side, we’re treated to two choice Fanny Crosby hymns, picked from that writer’s most remarkable repertoire. With most tunes, however, we’re talking about age in terms of decades rather than centuries (eg, one was penned by Dennis Jernigan, another by Bill Gaither), and in the case of “My Faith Is Strong”, it’s a totally new composition written by Christine and sung by Mairi, which sits neatly alongside these others. Indeed a further newie or two might have added to the set.

“There Is A River” gains considerably from its tender, deliberate piano-based treatment, and while I know a couple of Celtic interpretations of “My Jesus I Love Thee”, this version is easily the best – these guys’ take of it being simply sublime.

Indeed, harmonies on all tracks are quite delectable and help to make this album. “Sheltered In The Arms Of God” is another real gem, and shows off Michael’s vocals at their purest.

It’s clear that this amiable Orcadian is totally at home with this melee of country and bluegrass and it’s equally clear to the present reviewer that it’s with this format also that not only does he sound his personal best, but stands out as one of the very finest of British country/Americana-flavoured acts.