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Ian Hannah has been leading worship around the UK for many years but has only just recently released his debut studio album. With the majority of this album recorded in Ian's attic and Upstream Studios, you might think that this album recording might not be as good as some of the latest worship albums recorded in the big studios in the last few years. You would be wrong. This album sounds strong, but more about that later.
Ian was born in the West Midlands, England, but since 1996 has lived in Coleraine, on the North coast of Ireland. His songs...
Read More Ian Hannah has been leading worship around the UK for many years but has only just recently released his debut studio album. With the majority of this album recorded in Ian's attic and Upstream Studios, you might think that this album recording might not be as good as some of the latest worship albums recorded in the big studios in the last few years. You would be wrong. This album sounds strong, but more about that later.
Ian was born in the West Midlands, England, but since 1996 has lived in Coleraine, on the North coast of Ireland. His songs have been recorded by a number of Christian singers and worship leaders including Susan Ashton, Chris Bowater, Andy Bromley, Robert Critchley and Ishmael. Ian's song 'One In A Million’ even featured on a Channel 5 documentary about a girl with Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva.
This studio album The Journey was recording sometime last year and has a mix of worship songs and new hymns. In regards to hymns, Ian has taken some hymns as a basis of his songs and turned them into slightly more modern versions of hymns, for example Lord, Speak to Me and O Breath Of Life are two very good songs which retain a hymn feel to them.
The Journey has a strong British sound to it, without saying Ian sounds like a particular artist, he does have hints and styles in his songs similar to people like Paul Oakley, Stuart Townend, Graham Kendrick, Ken Riley and Phatfish. What I'm trying to convey is that Ian's music draws similarities with these wonderful artist within this album.
As I made reference to earlier, I am very impressed with the depth and fullness of this album, the whole album has a full body sound added on top of Ian's rich vocal tone to give a very solid album. The big standout track for me on this album has to be the stunning God of Infinity with some great piano and cello work, this song which is slammed straight in the middle of the album is the heart beat of this collection of songs.
The album has at times folk and acoustic styles on it, so if you're looking for something like Newsboys or Building 429, then this isn't the album for you. Yet if you're looking for soulful genuine worship albums with songs from the heart and from a gentleman with a sturdy voice then look no further than The Journey.
Review by Jono Davies
LTTM Rating 4 out of 5 Stars
Standout Tracks
God of Infinity
For We Believe And Trust
Awake My Soul
