Messiah's Dawn by Andrew Cleaton

Messiah's Dawn is a re-telling of the traditional Christmas story in contemporary songs, instrumentals and narration. Based on a few pieces first developed as part of a Carol Service for Christ Church, Upper Armley, Leeds, in 1989, it received its full premier in 1999 at St George's Church, Leeds. The following year saw the original band and singers come together to record the CD version.

Some 12 years later, the original album recording is presented for digital download through Bandcamp.

Reviewing the album upon its original release, Tony Cummings of Cross Rhythms Magazine said:

"Andrew Cleaton ... has made a brave leap into the world of musicals by writing a Christmas musical. It's already been performed at St George's Church, Leeds, while an advance copy of this CD has had airplay on UCB. Musically Andrew admits to being influenced by Peter Gabriel and Adrian Snell and there are indeed elements of both of them in the classically tinged pop rock while having the always reliable Simon Goodall to provide many of the lead vocals (like on the elegant "For Unto U") makes for a nicely mellow sound. Also, the narrations of Scripture, so often a pitfall in musicals, are very effective. An excellent production deserving of the widest possible circulation around the churches."

Tracklist

1.	Prelude/Upon This Day	5:02

2.	Isaiah 9: 2-6	0:20

3.	For Unto Us	2:38

4.	Luke 1: 26-27	0:15

5.	My Soul Magnifies the Lord	4:51

6.	The Journey	5:03

7.	The Greatest Gift	3:04

8.	Messiah's Dawn	2:59

9.	Glory To God	4:28

10.	Shout For Joy	3:26

11.	Herod	3:29

12.	The Homecoming	2:17

13.	Mary's Song	3:28

14.	Celebrate 2000 Years	3:13

Credits

released December 1, 2000

Andrew Cleaton: Piano, keyboards, additional acoustic & electric guitars, VG88
Simon Goodall: Lead vocals & backing vocals
Kathy Owen: Lead vocals on "My Soul Magnifies the Lord" & "Mary's Song"
Mark King: Drums, congas, claves, cymbals, shaker, wind chimes & tambourine
Des O'Hara: Bass guitar
Murray McEwan: Lead electric & acoustic guitars, VG88
Lynn Kibble: Flute

Tracey Cleaton: Backing vocals
Mark Pallant: Backing vocals
Angie Wright: backing vocals
Phil Wright: Backing vocals & djembe
Andrew Wyss: Backing vocals
Kevin Archer: Narration

The Sharp family & the Nelson family: additional vocals on "Celebrate 2000 Years"

The "Messiah's Dawn" chorus:

Alison Winterler
Vera Slechta
Sue Smith
Paddy McClean
Jane Woodhead
Lynne Fox
Angela Wright
Kathy Owen
Graham Wardman
Colin Carbert
Phil Wright
Andrew Wyss

Recorded at Epiphany Studios, Leeds and Bradford
Drum sessions engineered by Mark King
Engineered and produced by Andrew Cleaton

Design by Preset Bureau www.prestset.co.uk
Mastered by The Digital Audio Co, Skipton www.the-digital-audio.co.uk

Special thanks to my sister, Sheena and to Jane Morris for such inspiring words; to Phil & Angie Wright for invaluable administrative support; to Goldmime Theatre Company for making the live show so memorable; to all the church family at St George's, Leeds, for love encouragement and support; to Jon Blamire for dedication above and beyond the call of duty and to my family - for being there!

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