Islands of the Heart & A Gift of Song
Peter Kearney

Peter Kearney has long been one of Australia’s best contemporary songwriters from a Christian perspective. His music represents something far different from the puerile, facile pap that so often passes for contemporary Christian music.

Peter’s songs are well structured lyrically and musically. Some could be used in a participatory manner in worship while others bear close listening.

Peter is not afraid to raise the social and political dimensions of Christian faith. Thus devotional worship style songs which appeal to the heart are well and truly matched by those that will stimulate the brain to question just what does faith in our world mean today.

Everything from the “Bridge Song”, about the need to say sorry to the original inhabitants of this land, through to the martyrdom of Sr Irene McCormack, shot by the Sendoro Luminoso in Peru, to a most moving evocation about Amnesty International are all touched on.

One could probably guess the writer’s heritage by his name; certainly if you have a liking for music inspired by Irish folk tradition you will enjoy these CDs.

Peter has a way to weave a story and the stories woven here — just about anything from housewarmings to the journey of the shepherds to the child Jesus — are sure to lift the human spirit.

Well worth a listen. Crossover Music, PO Box 496 Mittagong 2575; 4871 3250; or www.hinet.net.au/-peterk.

John Queripel