Russ Rosen Band
| Cross Rhythms - issue 75 |
| by Ian Hayter Russ Rosen has been around the music scene for 15 years, working with a collective of musicianaries in and around British Columbia, as well as stints in Rwanda and Guadeloupe. The band is basically Russ (acoustic guitar, vocals, harmonica), his wife Sandy (keyboards, vocals)and a wonderful fiddle player called Kathleen Nisbet. Reviews of their work usually begin with suggestions as to the influences which went into thee eclectic mix and for those and for those of us over this side of the Atlantic,the best to describe thee music is to imagine Runrig with the power turned full up, mixed with the Chieftains and a good dose of the Holy Spirit. This is a wonderful album and I was amazed to discover that the band has no distribution in the UK as yet. On this stunning set (almost an hour, so you can get your money's worth), the three core musicians are joined by as good a group of session players as you'll find, including the tremendous Chad Bjorgan on drums. Key to the whole project, though, must be the ubiquitous Alan Shacklock as producer and guitarist. Alan has worked with the biggest and the best, including producing the Alarm's magnificent "Sixty Eight Guns", and the Rosen's "Warriors" - an uncompromising call to prophetic action - has strong musical echoes of that song. Russ Rosens lyrics (he wrote all the song an the album with the exception of Stand by Sandy Rosen), as well as his gritty, rasping vocals, communicate real passion for God and for proclaiming the Gospel. From the booming, echoing drums which open the first track, Watchmen, through to the quiet, reflective worship of the final Radiant Beauty, this is a remarkable album. Most of its driving Celtic-based rock, but there is a superb bluesy number sung by Kathleen Nisbet (whose voice should be used less sparingly on any future album) and a growling take on Ezekiel 37 entitled Somethins Rattlin' to add a bit of variety. Although theres clearly a worship dimension to all the songs, maybe only a couple (Through the Curtain and Radiant Beauty) would transfer to a Congregational setting. Having listened to this CD continually since it landed on the doormat, I can only hope that Russ and his friends soon find a distributor over here and let us have some more. (For those who are so inclined, theres also a french version, Huile de Paix) Interview with Ian Hayter of CrossRthyms download "Oil" 
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