Singer songwriter. Beatles Dylan Celtic influence. Lyrically very strong Christian content.

16 MP3 Songs
SPIRITUAL: Contemporary Christian, POP: British Pop

Details:
Every picture tell a story and the pictures inside the booklet of this Kevin Gouldâs sixth album âA Wineskin in the Smokeâ tells a little about the story of the man and his life.

In August 1973 in front of 22,000 people Kevin Gould stepped on to the stage at Earls Court London for what would be his debut as a full time Christian singer/songwriter, recording artist and performer. The Occasion was âSpree 73" a nationwide Youth event featuring contemporary music and the preaching of Billy Graham whose organization sponsored it.

In the months leading up to the event, 24 year old Kevin Gould was busy writing songs about his personal walk with Jesus Christ. One of these songs was called âJesus is the Kingâ. Little did Kevin know when writing the song, that it would become not only the theme for âSpree 73", but also the key that would open the door to 34 years of ministry (At time of writing, only the Lord knows how many more).

Early in 1973, Kevin sent a demo of the song to a publisher in England who in turn sent it to a company called âMusical Gospel Outreachâ. They were not only responsible for the music program at âSpree 73" but were also running a competition to find a theme song which would open the proceedings each night and which would be released as a single nationwide on the Polydor label.

Kevin takes up the story.......

" When my song arrived at their office they listened to it and liked it. I got a letter from them saying that they liked my song and to give them a ring. When I did, they told me that they were running a competition to find a theme song for Spre-e 73 and they would like to consider my song as an entrant. - Cliff Richard was one of the judges, he listened to my voice and liked it, he said it was 'different'. The song was chosen and I was asked to sing it each night. Mainly because Cliff liked my voice. He thought it was âDifferentâ.

One thing led to another and Kevin was offered a recording contract by Polydor Records to record both "Let's Join Together" and "Jesus Is The King" for release as a single. Ruefully he remembers, "There I was, being asked to take part in this huge Christian event and I'd really never done any singing before, but I was too young to know any better, really, so I agreed to do it, and that's how it opened up. Because there was going to be a lot of opportunities for ministry after Spree, they asked me to go full time, and I made my full time debut in front of 22,000 people at Spre-e 73.

Back in the early 70's contemporary Christian music was very much in itâs infancy but there is no doubt that as a result of Spree 73 and in spite of his initial lack of experience, Kevin Gould went on to become one of the pioneers in the field in the U.K.

During Kevinâs time on the road, 3 albums were released....... âLetâs Join Togetherâ in 1974, âTrue Storiesâ in 1976 and âClear Visionâ in 1978.. âTrue Storiesâ on the Myrrh label was released in the United States and as a result Kevin was invited extended to spend time in that country touring, becoming the first British Christian âSolo artistâ to do so.
The years between 1977 and 1980 were spent in the States but at the close 1980, Kevin felt that it was time for he and the family, which now also included 2 year old son David to return to the U.K.

By the end of 1981 Kevinâs time on the road came to and end as he accepted a position in Sheffield to become an assistant Pastor. It was the beginning of what has been a long and productive pastoral ministry, where over a twenty year period he personally started two churches and helped start six others two of which are in Mexico. He released his fourth album in 1987 called âFine Linenâ, and in 1997 âthe Wind and the Flameâ was released receiving widespread critical acclaim.

Since 1991 Kevin has been the Senior Pastor of Clover Pass Community Church in Ketchikan Alaska and he looks back on it with great satisfaction. At the time of writing (Nov 2007) Kevin and Sheila are still there but looking to move on in the New Year to do something new.

The two kids have grown and have children of their own. Both Helen and David sing solos on âA Wineskin in the Smoke. David also plays guitar on every track and Helen sings Backing vocals.

The songs on this album are among the best that Kevin Gould has ever written. Many years ago, Christian guitar legend Norman Barrett called Kevin âThe best lyricist in the worldâ That is not a title Kevin would claim but like previous albums, this one again displays a truly gifted wordsmith that not too many others can surpass. .

Ths songs here reflect the wide range of experience and insight into the Truth of Godâs Word and work. As well as his own songs, Kevin has included two of what are his favorite hymns in their original form,âThe Day You Gave Us Lordâ and âHere is Loveâ while writing new melodies for two others âLeave it Thereâ and âLord Enthroned in Heavenly Splendorâ. All the rest are original songs which lyrically and musically testify to both Kevinâs creativity and spiritual maturity. âWineskin in the Smokeâ producer Barry Bynumâs version of Kevinâs song âRend the Heavensâ is included as a bonus track.

We trust that you will rejoice in and be blessed, edified, soothed, and challenged by this album understanding and identifying with the way of being âA Wineskin in the Smokeâ

People who are interested in Bob Dylan Paul McCartney Phil Keaggy should consider this download.