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Not often does a CD release come with so many benefits. Freedom the latest album form The Melbourne Gospel Choir has  a great group of singers, who are joined on the album by a couple of very popular singers, one an Australian Idol winner, and the other an Australian Idol judge.  The album has great music, great variety, it is often uplifting and thought provoking and the choir is helping to end the exploitation of people especially children.

Freedom is a selection of gospel, praise, funky and pop sounds from a choir which according to its publicity "is passionate about working with World Vision to draw attention to and bring an end to the trafficking, slavery and exploitation of people, especially children". The publicity says that the album "Freedom" reflects the passion behind this vision with inspiring and uplifting songs such as Higher, Freedom and Break The Chains."

The Melbourne  Gospel Choir was founded about 8 years ago by Roma Waterman who is also the choirs' Director. Roma has been a singer for 20 years, starting at a very early age. Her singing career at one stage was considered to be at an end. To quote from her web-site: " After being told she may never sing or tour again after suffering fibromyalgia, she had an amazing encounter with God that set her in a new direction in pursuing worship and the prophetic through her music.  Now, totally healed Roma travels the globe, speaking, singing and running workshops on the prophetic arts, songwriting and vocal technique.  "

The Melbourne Gospel Choir has performed on many  TV shows such as Carols By Candlelight, The Good Friday Appeal, The X Factor, The AFL Grand Final, Dancing with the Stars, It Takes Two and The Logies. The choir has backed artists such as Delta Goodrem, Westlife, Guy Sebastian, Nana Mouskouri, Dame Edna , David Campbell and many more. My first awareness with the choir was their 2005 album with Marina Prior "Our Christmas Prayer" which is being re-released this year.

The latest release "Freedom" contains mainly songs written by Roma Waterman and some other members of the choir. There is also a spirituals medley which is called "A tribute to the history of Gospel Music". This is an interesting well arranged and sung nine minutes  twenty one seconds  starting with spirituals and ending with the 1907 Henry Van Dykes Hymn - Joyful , Joyful We Adore Thee. Judd Field who has co-written many of the original songs on this album is also lead singer on many tracks, as are other members of the Choir.

The lead vocalist on one track is Guy Sebastian. He had a hit in 2006 with "Taller Stronger Better", this song was written by Phil Turcio with Guy and Gary Pinto.  Judd Field says they were looking for a strong song to perform with Guy Sebastian. Phil mentioned that he was working on a Gospel version of the song, and this is the version we hear Guy Sebastian sing on this album.  Interesting that Guy Sebastian and Marcia Hines as well as the Melbourne Gospel Choir have some things in common. One is that Roma is vocal coach for the TV show , the X-Factor and the Choir and Guy have appeared on the show.

Marcia Hines also does a version of Everybody Hurts a 1992 song which appeared on her 2007 album "life". Sung here with the Melbourne Gospel Choir" it is very enjoyable.

The album starts with two up-tempo Gospel songs, "Higher" and "Show Me The Way". Then there is a  slow tempo song written for the Toowoomba flood victims, called though the storm  World Vision CEO Tim Costello and Sandi Keenan provide voice overs at the beginning and later on in a song about breaking the chains of poverty and exploitation and what we can do about by ensuring companies do not exploit and that we buy ethical products.. There are many other excellent  tracks, 13 in all on this album.. I liked the Nigerian talking drum on  the traditional Gospel song "Freedom is Coming."

Judd Field writes in the cover notes of his trip to India and seeing the exploitation of children not having much life so we can have products they make cheaper. Also children dying of aids with no prospect of adulthood.  He urges people to support World Visions Child Rescue Program.

Freedom from The Melbourne Gospel Choir is an interesting, enjoyable and varied album which also highlights the work of World Vision.

David Webb

More info at:

• www.melbournegospelchoir.com
• www.romawaterman.com
• shop.abc.net.au/products/freedom
• au.christiantoday.com/article/abc-music-releases-melbourne-gospel-choir/12449.htm