SOOTHING SONGS OF FAITH

Three decades later-

and worth the wait !

ABOUT TIME

Over twenty years ago at a Christian gathering in Carne Co. Wexford I first heard the vocal talents of Charlie Ward. On that occasion the performance was particularly poignant as he was accompanied by his sister Sandra who in her early twenties, was in the final stages of her battle with cancer. Brother and sister,their voices dueted perfectly as they sang one of Charlies own compositions ‘Healing Jesus’.
Now over twenty years later Charlie has released a collection of songs from 1982 to the present appropriately titled About Time.This CD is a captivating compilation of twenty original tracks,penned by himself and sung with his daughter Sandra and Jacinta Cassidy. The harmonies are delicious and the guitar playing sublime but it’s the directness of the lyrics and the pure melody of the tunes that carries this work along on the crest of a worshipful wave! This is music with only one end in view - Jesus. Throughout, the Scripture laced words and the patent sincerity of the performance, ushers the listener into the very inner court of the presence of the Lord Jesus. When King Saul’s head was bothered with fearfulness and negativity he called young David,”a talented harp-player…” to play for him. “And whenever the tormenting spirit troubled Saul,David would play the harp. Then Saul would feel better and the tormenting spirit would go away.”(1 Samuel16:23). About Time is the handiwork of a very talented musician/songwriter and will, in my opinion, soothe the most troubled heart. The entire collection steers the listener away from our earthly cares and to another realm where Jesus is waiting with arms outstretched to welcome and refresh our souls. This is well expressed in the song ’Holy’…”

Lord I want to shine again
Be a light for You
Only You can fill my empty heart
When there's no one else around
No one to impress
Everything lies bare before your eyes.”

Listening to About Time last evening I was encouraged to seek the Lord afresh and ask Him to work through my life.It is so easy to loose sight of the loveliness of Jesus even as we race from meeting to meeting,I need to take time apart and learn to sit at the Masters feet. I can think of no finer preparation for this task than to listen to the beautiful songs in this collection. And the icing on the cake of this enterprise for me is the inclusion of that song performed all those years ago in the marquee tent at Carne,’Healing Jesus’

Gerard O'Shea

About Time can be obtained directly from Charlie Ward at his website http://www.charlieward.net/

Or from the Limerick Christian Bookshop10 Upper Gerald Griffin Street Limerick Phone: (061) 419730 …or Christian Bookshop,Tucky Street,Cork.