Freedom

Melbourne Gospel Choir

The Melbourne Gospel Choir produced Freedom to draw attention to World Vision’s program Child Rescue. Child Rescue supports children who have escaped brothels or factories, counselling and rehabilitating children who have suffered abuse, children from bonded labour and slavery, and provides children who live on the street with information and support services to improve their life chances. It also supports families and communities to care for orphans and children affected by HIV and AIDS.

The CD case contains information about singer Judd Field’s visit to see Child Rescue work in India, the motivation behind each song and how to donate money to the project.

My favourite songs on the CD are the disco style “I’m Free”, Marcia Hines singing “Everybody Hurts” but most of all the wonderful “Freedom is Coming” with lead singer Lucy Holmes Bailey. It uses repetition, light drumming, a mixture of solo and chorus work to create an amazing piece of music. I played it over and over again.

I also enjoyed “Spirituals Medley”, but I would have liked to hear more of “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot” and I thought the transition from “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot” to “Old Time Religion” was a little muddy. Personally, I would have also preferred to hear “Oh, Rock My Soul” in place of “Joyful, Joyful, We Adore You” – it’s more upbeat and more in the tradition of the other spirituals chosen.

Nevertheless, a well produced and polished CD.

Katy Gerner