'I love it when a song splits a room'

George Luke reviews the best new releases from the Christian music scene

Use the links to buy the albums from amazon.co.uk and Christian Aid will receive part of the sale price

I love it when a song splits a room. And so far this year, I haven’t seen any song do so as effectively as Natasha Bedingfield’s “I Wanna Have Your Babies”.

To one half, it’s just harmless daydreaming from an incurable romantic who’s found new love. To the other half, Natasha might as well be saying “The pot’s on the fire; now where’s that bunny gone?”

Either way, the song’s a brilliantly well-crafted, catchy piece of pop genius.

And Natasha’s new album, Nb, contains quite a few of those. “When You Know You Know” is a nice slice of old-school girly soul. “Soulmate” is a fine ballad, and the rapper Eve guests on “No More) What Ifs”.

And then there’s “Who Knows” with the intriguing opening line “I’m in like with you, not in love with you”.

Some critics might find its musical diversity a bit disconcerting, but Nb showcases very distinctly how much Natasha has grown musically since her debut. It deserves to do well.

• Click here to buy Natasha Bedingfield – Nb

Joanne Cash

When Johnny Cash’s old home was destroyed by fire last month, his younger sister Joanne found herself thrust into the role of matriarch to the Cash family, comforting her late brother’s children and making statements to the world’s media on the family’s behalf.

It also meant taking a temporary break from promoting her new album, Gospel, which had only been released a few weeks before the incident.

Gospel is Joanne’s 27th album and it’s mostly autobiographical, full of childhood reminiscences in songs with titles like “Cotton, Popcorn, Peanuts and Jesus”.

The opening track, “Glory Glory”, is dedicated to her brother Jack who died in a farming accident (one of the more heartbreaking moments in the film Walk the Line – which this album could kind of be seen as a supplement to).

The Man In Black makes a few guest appearances. He introduces “Lower Lights”, an account of their father’s death, then recounts the experience he had in Israel which inspired the song “When He Comes”.

Later on, he duets with Joanne on “Softly and Tenderly” – one of their last ever recordings together. Even in ill health, Johnny’s voice conveys an air of power. But ultimately, this is Joanne’s story – and she tells it with a lot of heart.

• Click here to buy Joanne Cash – Gospel

Sarah Kelly

Although her latest album Where the Past Meets Today has been out a good few months, I only really got introduced to the music of singer-songwriter Sarah Kelly last month, when she made a brief visit to the UK to promote it. Better late than never, I suppose…

Where the Past Meets Today was produced by Mike Clink, famous for his work with Guns n’ Roses… and yes, that is Slash playing on the tracks “Still Breathing” and “Out of Reach”.

Other notable guests include Dave Amato of REO Speedwagon, and Chris Chaney of Jane’s Addiction. Popular worship leader Lincoln Brewster also makes a guest appearance, playing guitar on “Still Breathing”.

But it’s Sarah’s earthy honesty and heartfelt performances, rather than star muso guests, that make this album special. Sarah has managed to break free from years of physical abuse and self-harm, and has poured all of that into this collection of songs.

The result is an album that is as cathartic for the listener as it obviously was for her.

• Click here to buy Sarah Kelly – Where the Past Meets Today

Rebecca St James

There’s this recurring nightmare I have about Rebecca St. James. She gets married, I’m the first person to interview her afterwards… and the only question I can think of to ask her is, “So, was the sex worth waiting for, then?”

Alive in Florida is the title of the new CD/DVD package from the popular Aussie singer and advocate for teenage sexual abstinence.

It’s basically an hour of Rebecca working her way through some of her biggest hits, plus a cover of Matt Redman’s “Blessed Be Your Name”.

Halfway through it, Rebecca’s brothers Joel and Luke are given the opportunity to showcase some of their own forthcoming material (that’s right – they’ve got a band of their own).

A remix of “You Are Loved” is thrown in as a bonus on the audio CD; the DVD gives you the whole lot again, plus loads of flashing lights.

• Click here to buy Rebecca St James – Alive in Florida

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