Joe King

All of Joe’s album can be downloaded now from – http://joekinguk.bandcamp.com

Released in 1997, this album continued to bring Joe’s music to a wider audience both in the UK and overseas.

Reviews

CROSS RHYTHMS MAGAZINE: Joe is such a great writer … There is so much good music here … These songs are a dose of reality which act as a healing balm a powerful recording from one of Britain’s great underrated songwriting talents. Courtesy of Mike Rimmer
NEW CHRISTIAN HERALD: …this man’s writing talents shouldn’t be underrated. …a fine batch of gentle, tender ballads and elsewhere there are full-blown rock treatments … and the boys from ‘Iona’ certainly make for some great backing. Ultimately though it’s the songs that count. Courtesy of Peter Dilley
JOY MAGAZINE: Joe King … a singer/songwriter of considerable talent. His songs are mostly quite intense and deeply personal but always positive … of excellent quality … excellent recording and arranging … an album you’ll find helpful during difficult times in particular.
KINGSWAY’S WORSHIP CONNECTION: There is no doubt Joe’s ministry in song will continue to change many lives … contemporary praise and worship from the powerful ‘When Jesus Comes Again’ to the intimate ‘Father’.

When you receive an album produced by UK’s Chris Eaton you know you’re handling something special. As well as writing and recording several solo albums, Chris has penned songs for the likes of Amy Grant and Cliff Richard, as well as masterfully producing five out of six of Ian White’s gorgeous Psalms offerings plus a host of other ventures besides.
Joe King is a singer/songsmith from North England with a previous solo album, ‘Next to You’ to his name. Here he offers a collection of his own tunes, most fitting into the pop/inspirational category, though there are some wonderful hints of rock-guitar here and there, courtesy of one Morph! Joe’s warm and passionate voice works well as he encourages the listener in his/her Christian walk with songs like the Celtic-inspired ‘Stand your ground’ and ‘Thief in the night’. More intimate moments surface again and again with the likes of ‘Until our hearts beat as one’ and the delicate ‘I still believe in You’. Indeed these reflective occasions see Joe at his best; open, sensitive and full of encouragement. Other notable musicians appearing include the ubiquitous(!) Teryl Bryant on drums and Mike Horton with his sax touch (hear his gorgeous accompaniment to ‘Don’t give up the fight’). As well as this we have Rob Maxwell’s fine violin strokes providing opening elegance to the flowing story-in-song ‘Justin Brown’.

The album closes with a fitting upbeat song of praise ‘Jesus, You are Mighty’ containing an infectious country feel. “The Harvest Has Begun” is a worthy follow-up to Joe’s previous output and indeed an album to be proud of.

Review by Tom Lennie

JOE KING : The Harvest Has Begun.
You know when Joe King writes a song, that it’s something very personal that he wants to share. After the success of his previous release “Next To You”, and the theme of God putting strength into all through difficulties, this one is long awaited. With Chris Eaton at the helm of the controls, the result is a more polished affair yet with nothing taken away from Joe’s intimate gifts. Beginning with the catchy “When Jesus Comes Again” and continuing with the title track, you hear the professional touch of Mr Eaton adding a certain something to what could have been ordinary songs. The acoustic “Until Our Heart Beats…” is a poignant number of great value and “Father”‘s lucidity is just sheer honesty. Pipes, whistles, and more, get you jigging to “Stand Your Ground”, and the effective drums on “Let My Power” give Joe’s writing yet another angle. Overalll, it’s a good album, but I’ve a deep feeling that the next will be even better. 9/10. (March 1998)