Following the release of the worldwide digital single “What A Friend We Have In Jesus” by Vivienne Neville, Liz Clark, Jackie Morris-Bates, and Mary Kathryn, in February this year, Vivienne was keen to explore the possibilities of releasing a compilation featuring tracks by all four ladies and the end result of the that exploration is the “What A Friend We Have” album that has now been released worldwide on all leading digital music download and streaming sites.
“I think we’ve brought together a great trans-Atlantic collection of songs”, noted Keith Dixon of Plankton Records, “which includes two great previously unreleased tracks from Vivienne, a song each from Liz and Jackie that have only previously been available as singles and we are also including the “What a Friend We Have In Jesus” single too, with all money raised by that particular track still going to the good causes that the single continues to raise money for”
“The album consists of 13 tracks. 3 solo tracks from each of the four artists and the single that features all of them together. The solo tracks really highlight the talents of each artist. Mary-Kathryn (from the USA) is a great singer and her music infuses celtic, pop, and world music in a brilliant and magical way – we love the 3 songs she’s submitted from her back catalogue. Jackie Morris Bates (also USA) has only very recently starting performing again and her music is a classic blend of jazz and country with a dash of southern gospel thrown in. I don’t think any of Jackie’s music is currently available digitally either. Liz Clarke (Northern Ireland) – the lady of the crystal clear voice! – gave us a great song from one of her earlier EPs and also a beautiful single she wrote after losing her mother which sold really well in Northern Ireland and a song from her latest Plankton album. Finally, Vivienne gave us the two previously unreleased tracks, which is brilliant – one of which is a radical reworking of the opening track from the ‘Emmanuel’ album she did with Liz on Plankton. Her third song is a beautiful track from the “Veiled In Mystery” Plankton album”
“It’s an hour of great and varied music. The ladies are great friends but all of their music and styles are different. They live on both sides of the Atlantic but the one main thing that unites them in their lives and musical work and journey is their love for, and relationship, with Jesus – so the title of the album was obvious, as well as being the main theme of the songs running through the album” www.panktonrecords.co.uk
Never for Nothing 