Andrew Peterson

Item: Carried Along
Author: Kevin D. Hendricks

Carried Along

(2000)

Reviewed by Kevin D. Hendricks

Discogs Apple Music TIDAL Amazon Music Spotify YouTube Music

Label Watershed RecordsReAL Magazine2000

acoustic celtic folk rock singer-songwriter

When I think of folk music I think of stories, acoustic guitars, and the opposite of mainstream pop music. Andrew Peterson's long awaited national release Carried Along is just that. It's a pleasant collection of stories told from a thoughtful man, accented with wonderful orchestration.

You may have heard of Andrew Peterson before. He opened for Caedmon's Call several years ago, and has been touring on his own since. The group "Andrew Peterson" is also more than just one man and an acoustic guitar. It's a trio, Andrew and his wife Jamie, who provides background vocals, and Gabe Scott, who contributes more background vocals, more acoustic guitar, and whatever other instruments they feel they need. The combination produces pleasing three part harmonies, layered guitar work, and a plethora of other instruments, including mandolin, accordion, and hammered dulcimer. The recording features even more, including a string section, banjo, B3 organ, and even a pennywhistle on the last track, an Irish-like folk song complete with a jig, 'The Ninety and Nine.'

Standouts on the album include 'Nothing To Say,' a reflection on God's grandeur after a trip to Arizona, 'Shiloh,' 'Rise And Shine,' a song comparing youthfulness and the coming of Christ, and 'Come Lord Jesus,' a slower paced song agonizing over the Church's failure to love and our own personal failures, culminating in a chorus that offers the only hope we have, "So, Amen. Come, Lord Jesus."

Among the gems are a few we could forget, especially 'Love Enough,' with its country beat that sent my roommate running. A few other songs just don't stand out and are easily forgotten. The other possible downer for the album is Peterson's somewhat nasally vocals. But if that doesn't bother you, you'll find an enjoyable album that doesn't blend together. There's enough variation to keep your interest and enough reflection to be worth your time.