The Christian Contemporary Music industry has always been dominated by derivative imitations of secular music, but this 1980 gem by John Michael and Terry Talbot is a genuine original. The record weaves
the Talbot Brothers' gorgeous tenor harmonies together with John Michael's complex classical guitar work and tastefully lush orchestral arrangements played by the London Chamber Orchestra to create a beautiful musical tapestry that underscores the album's central motif of Jesus as the "Master Painter."
The Painter is not, strictly speaking, a holiday record, but many of its songs focus on Christmas themes. Among those songs are the sweeping two-part "Advent Suite" ("There will be living where once there was death, there will be living in Jesus"), the joyful "Jesus Has Come" ("Can you believe the miracle come, come to the city of David"), and "Wonderful Counselor" ("Worship the child come to the world in Bethlehem"), which was included on Sparrow's 1982 collection 25 Songs of Christmas. Unfortunately, the sound quality of the record leaves something to be desired. The mix tends to wash out John Michael's virtuoso guitar performances and give too much focus to the vocals and the orchestra. But this does little to diminish the pleasure of listening to this exquisitely arranged collaboration between the two talented Talbots. ~ Evan Cater