Great CD
author: Christiane
A great combination of Celtic music and Christian message. There are sure a few songs one would want to learn and play.
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an enjoyable and diverse collection of music ... well worth hearing’
author: Stephen Beckmeyer for CelticChristianTunes.com
Into Jerusalem is the latest CD from Raymond McCullough, a singer-songwriter based in Belfast, Northern Ireland. This worshipful album incorporates influences of Celtic, Bluegrass, Rock, and Hebrew music. All the music and lyrics are written by McCullough, except for "My Lagan Love", a traditional air. The main vocals are by Raymond McCullough, and he and his band play the many instruments on the recording.
McCullough also designed the liner notes, which include lyrics to all the songs and feature photographs of Jerusalem embellished with Celtic art, providing a fitting visual complement to the music.
The songs with the strongest Scottish-Irish influence are tracks one, six, seven, and eight. "I Will Lift My Eyes Up", based on Psalm 121, is backed by fiddle and flute and also has a bluegrass influence. "You are My Inspiration" is rockier, with a percussion and synthesiser introduction, but it becomes more Celtic sounding with the entry of the singers, and ends with an instru
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The CD keeps the same mood between a rock album, a folk and a country one ...
author: Ciro Velasquez, eufOnia radio, Monterrey, Mexico
A hebrew-irish-gospel-folk album this time from "The Commander" McCullough is what we have with this second CD: "Into Jerusalem".
The sound has improved a lot, like elements in the composition. McCulloguh has even take control over the way his voice sounds, making some Jethro Tull's Ian Anderson tricks in order to get the best of beats and arrangements and "punching" with his voice knowing that his is not a privileged one, but seeking what seems to be the most important thing: to express himself through music.
A totally gospel oriented album that starts with an irish-sounding "I Will Lift My Eyes Up", followed by a more gospel-themed "All My Needs" trying to get a "reel-ish" sound, that becomes a more country track plagued of irish folk.
"Battle Cry" grows more irish, i believe, thanks to the violins and whistles, that transport you to the Islands. It's noticeable though, that the voice has to make an improvement. Again, the feeling of the singer/songwriter is more important
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Intense and passionate ... ‘Irish and Scots Celtic’ to the core! ... his style h
author: Paul Davis, Country Music Round Up magazine, (UK) - 2006-04-01
The UK's worship scene is enriched by diversity of talent. This roots CD of reels, jigs and ballads is an earthy treatment and an unusual reading of familiar theological themes. Rather less sophisticated than most worship material, it is intense and passionate. This direct lyric-and-beat is ideal repertoire for folk-country-gospel worship interpretation. Although this worship music-mix is at times a la Israeli in flavouring, it remains 'Irish and Scots Celtic' to the core! Unruffled and underexposed, the songs may come from Mr McCullough's talented pen but they could be presented in a wider contemporary fashion too, well suited for the repertoire paraded before Celtic-country instruments.
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