• Fields of Freedom: Celtic Hymns & Meditations, by Cory Engel of CelticChristianTunes.com
• Break the Walls, by Cory Engel of CelticChristianTunes.com
• Always By My Side, by Cory Engel of CelticChristianTunes.com

Over time, Ric Blair's recordings have evolved from Always By My Side's Celtic-sprinkled folk-pop to Break The Walls' somewhat thicker Irish sound, to today's Fields of Freedom, which can be legitimately labeled primarily "Celtic". Blair's sounds have always included pop, rock, country, bluegrass, and Celtic influences, but this album is predominatly the latter.

On the traditional end of the spectrum, the fiddle, guitar, and keyboards of "Crosses of Annagh" are reminiscient of some of Altan's finer moments.

There is little to complain about here, although the rock interpretation of "Nothing But The Blood", though rousing and tightly performed, illustrates that loops seldom match the spontaneity of real drums.

Running CelticChristianTunes.com Radio, it seems like I've heard enough Celtic interpretations of "Be Thou My Vision" and "Amazing Grace" to fill the Trinity College Library. However, the inspired versions included here are a reminder that if these sacred tunes grow old or become cliches, it is only because the listener has allowed it.

Even Christian pop-rock listeners who are unfamiliar with Blair's music will hear some familiar touches. Phil Keaggy produced and played all instruments except pipes on Blair's original tune "Alleluia", and Sheila Walsh lends her voice to three scripture readings (the "meditations" part).

This album sounds as if it is meant to be taken as a whole; though it makes for a smooth hour of listening all the way through, several tracks that fade together will result in some abrupt transitions for iPod-toting "shuffle-the-lot" listeners.

Minor criticisms aside, Fields of Freedom is without a doubt Ric's finest outing yet, and certainly worth picking up. Though it will be officially released in major distribution for St. Patrick's Day 2005, you can buy it now at Blair's website.

--Cory C. Engel, CelticChristianTunes.com

Break the Walls, Blair's sophomore release, is anything but sophomoric. Although his first release, Always By My Side, is a fine work in its own right, he has managed to improve musically on it on several levels. The first thing one notices upon a first listen is that Walls has greater Celtic influences than the previous album.

Although some tunes have a sound carried over from Always that one might expect on mainstream radio ("Break the Walls," "Lay 'em Down," "Let it Go"), even those maintain a common thread of fiddle, pipes, and whistles which provide continuity throughout the disc. Other tunes go off the Celtic deep end, so to speak, including the traditional instrumentals "Fields of Glentown," "O'Keefe's Slide," and "Taime Im' Choldloch." The remaining lyrical pieces also demonstrate a greater reliance on a Celtic musical heritage.

Lyrically, "These Few Words" is a favorite. After opening with a couple of whistled bars of "Sallee Gardens," "These Few Words" carries a message of priorities:

Seems like I was just a young boy only yesterday
I was plowing through the golden fields learning my own way
Son, remember these few words I say

We go into this world with nothing and go out just the same
So it's wise to keep your eyes affixed to the things that will remain

Break the Walls is definitely worth a listen. For more information about Ric and his music, including lyrics from his latest recording, take a look at Ric's website.

--Cory C. Engel, CelticChristianTunes.com

Always By My Side, 1997 Scottish Castle Records

No newcomer to Christian music, Ric Blair has worked as a session guitarist for Amy Grant, Rich Mullins and Margaret Becker (who later recorded Ric's "Never for Nothing"), and has performed since 1985 as a solo act, with the Ric Blair Band, and as an opening act for such artists as Phil Keaggy, Randy Stonehill and others.

Always By My Side opens with the distinctly Celtic-flavored "Ready for the Storm" (a cover of Dougie MacLean's classic) and "The Red Sea". This second tune is a songwriting high point of the disc:

When the water's running high
I'll walk the great divide
And I'll never doubt your mighty hand, oh God...
...Although the sound of horses roar
And my back's against the shore
I will never doubt your mighty hand, oh God

In addition to the obvious Celtic influence, much of Always By My Side showcases Ric's country & folksy style; Cait Reed's fiddle and Blair's fingerstyle guitar blend seamlessly on Fanny Crosby's "Near the Cross."

In addition to his 6-string and bass guitar work, Ric also shines on Always as a percussionist and acoustic keyboardist; his piano and organ accompaniment reinforce the strong message of "Author of Love," in which appeals to the listener to turn from sin and experience the joy of the Author:

...As the time continues onward
How your heart becomes colder
Your anger turns to fear
Looking for a way to survive
Don't turn your back and look the other way

Won't you lay your weight aside
And the sin that makes you fall
Look to the Author of Love
Who for your joy endured

The title track is an uplifting toe-tapper with positive lyrics that had my CD player set to "repeat" for a while:

Goodbye to the road that I traveled
Goodbye to the lonely night
You light the path that I follow
You'll always be by my side

Throughout Always By My Side, the listener is treated to the uniquely talented fiddle playing of Cait Reed; I hope to hear more of her work in the future.

I suspect Always By My Side will appeal to Celtophile listeners who appreciate artists on the country and folk end of the spectrum, such as Michael Card, John Michael Talbot, and Wes King.

The overall message of the songs on Always By My Side is one of encouragement to turn to Jesus, who is the only real source of hope, redemption, and renewal for a world filled predominantly with pain.

For more information about Ric and his music, including clips from Always By My Side, take a look at Ric's website.