Keep the Banner Flying High - Review

It’s been 5-years since a new Graham Kendrick album. We’ve been sustained by his ultimate collection, a stellar offering featuring Shine Jesus Shine (of course), Knowing You Jesus and more. But the news of brand-new album has been met with much excitement in the Eden office.

A collection of live recordings, it’s evident from the outset that this is an album for Church congregations to share together. Toe-tapping and joyful from the opening bars of ‘Keep the Banner Flying High’, you get the immediate sense that this is an album of passion and celebration.

Both ‘My Worth is Not in What I Own’ and ‘Holy Overshadowing’ are so trademark Kendrick, it made me nostalgic for my childhood church. Please don’t think that’s a criticism, there’s no sense of irrelevance, instead they’re uplifting, emotive, encouraging.

Like all good albums, it’s a medley of styles: ‘Adore’ is an awe-filled refrain that will fit beautifully in carol services later this year, ‘Give Me This Mountain’ is a motivating anthem with a strong drumbeat and my personal favourite, ‘Praise Him Moon and Stars’ is a catchy, uptempo tune that will soon be a favourite with every member of your congregation, regardless of their age.

Fans of Matt Redman should look out for ‘As in Heaven’, an impassioned anthem which definitely carries similarities to ‘10,0000 reasons’.

5 years has not dulled Graham Kendrick’s passion and Keep the Banner Flying High is a testament to the timeless nature of his work.

Keep the Banner Flying High is available now from Eden.co.uk.