大象传媒

Hello again everyone, and welcome to our monthly look at the contemporary religious music Scene.

For some time now theREIGN, considered one of Hull's finest praise and worship bands, and Revd. Rachel Ganney from St John's Church, Bransholme, have been offering "Rock Eucharist: Communion on the Rocks". It鈥檚 a communion service for those who like their praise songs to feature loud guitars, driving bass and no (well, not many) drum solos.

The service retains the traditional Anglican Eucharist's beautiful liturgy (spoken and shouted).听 It is听 fused with theREIGN's original music, popular worship songs and a smattering of classic and modern rock motifs, including the likes of Queen, Blur, Status Quo and Guns & Roses, which we all know (even if we can鈥檛 remember who played them) to create something lively and very modern. It is Holy Communion for the 21st Century - a new, exciting and powerful worship experience, nevertheless refusing to let go of all the things that have made celebrating the Eucharist an amazing thing for the last 2,000 years.

theREIGN

The Rock Eucharist has been celebrated by individual churches, by deanery groups and by Churches Together networks over the past two years.听 It has also been featured twice at the Greenbelt festival. We are keen to expand this ministry and offer the Rock Eucharist as widely as possible so, with this in mind we would like to invite you to a showcase of the event to be held at St Aidan's Church, Southcoates Avenue in Hull at 7.30pm on Thursday 7th May 2009.听 Following the showcase, you will have an opportunity to raise any questions or comments you may have with Rachel and the band, as well as hear first hand testimony of the impact these events have had in other churches.

More information can be found at http://www.rockeucharist.co.uk/ or by contacting Revd Rachel Ganney at rachel@thereign.net or David Cooper on 07876 203925.

Former frontman for '60s band Manfred Mann and more recently leader of The Blues Band, PAUL JONES, has released his first solo album for years. 'Starting All Over Again' on Continental Blue Heaven Records features guests, guitar maestro Eric Clapton and soul music legend Percy Sledge.

Rachel McDonald tells me that she鈥檚 playing a concert in the Mount Public House, Manchester Road, Southport, on 14th May at 8pm. It's all part of her home church's outreach programme, and Rachel will be singing songs and giving her testimony. The singer/songwriter says that she is also 鈥渉alfway鈥� through recording what will be, her third album.

Crossrrhythms report that Paul Bell, a singer/songwriter from Nottingham, has a new album 'Name In Lights: Live In Sheffield' released independently. The album, produced by Paul and Phil Baggaley, was recorded at The Spires, Sheffield on 8th November, 2008. The project is a follow up to 2006's 'Human Condition'.

Singer/songwriter and pastor Kevin Gould is recording an album with guitar maestro Phil Keaggy. Keaggy is producing the album in Nashville with Gould and Keaggy collaborating on some songwriting. The project is hoped to be released sometime in 2010.

Now recovering from his recent heart attack, the forthcoming kid鈥檚" album from John Froud will be called "Haven鈥檛 You Heard?" It鈥檚 been recorded using choirs of school children from West Yorkshire area, and will be mixed by dB Studio鈥檚 Dan Bowater.

I received an e-mail this week from Darlington based, Viv Neville. She says that听 she鈥檚 had some good reviews of her debut EP, and has had some exposure of various radio stations. Viv also says that work towards her new album is "coming along well".

Another event that you might be interested in is FIRE!, the latest conference to be held at the new Life Christian Centre, Bridlington Avenue, Hull, on Saturday 9th May. Special guest in Nathan Morris and his team, who are seeing remarkable miracles, moves of God and tens of thousands saved around the world wherever they minister. The event runs from 10am 鈥� 5pm and although free of charge, booking is essential. Tel 01482 610705. http://www.newlifehull.org