Reviews
REVIEW: Love in the Ruins...
Love in the Ruins, Hope in the Wasteland
2001 Stone Table Publishing Dawntreader Productions
A review by Cory C. Engel
CelticChristianTunes.com
 ove in the Ruins, Hope in the Wasteland, Lianna Klassen's third album, is an impressive collection of proclamations, prayers, and testimonies that is enrapturing musically, and provocative lyrically.
Several world music influences permeate these Christian folk selections. The most overt are Celtic strains of uillean pipes, whistles, and harps in several songs, while the percussion and recorder of "Incense to the Father" has an unmistakable indigenous North American sound. This song's pan-world musical influence is echoed in its utopian lyrics:
Hear the cries of Jubilation
Hear the sounds of worship
Every nation of the world is
joined in perfect friendship
And the streams of worship flows as one
For dividing walls have been broken
and every culture lifts their voice
as incense to the Father
Though this CD is fascinating to listen to musically, I think what impresses me most about it is Klassen's rare vocal skill. She seems to have a keen sense for the music that enables her to apply techniques ingeniously--the simple pure tones in the opening lines of "The Way" and upper registers of "Song for Canada", an understated vibrato throughout the recording, and uillean-pipe-like vocal flairs such as those in "I Will Run To You" all combine in perfect proportion to emphasize the honest spiritual lyrics.
The CD's closing track, "Song for Canada", is perhaps the most touching. Though I'm not a Canadian, I cannot help but be moved by Klassen's prayer for her homeland:
In the color of the northern lights that leap and dance and sing
In the stillness of the forest when the snow melts in the spring
In the beauty of the muskeg that is red and golden brown
In the quiet expectation of the city before dawn
And my heart's overwhelmed for this nation that I love
This is my Song for Canada
Oh revive this generation with your fire and your rain
So that the faith that this land was founded on will come to life again
Oh may the prayers of intercession rise as incense to the place
That will touch your heart oh God, Oh Father, hear our Song.
Though comparisons with Loreena McKennitt are probably unavoidable, Love in the Ruins, Hope in the Wasteland is an original synthesis of various cultural influences with Klassen's inspired songwriting.
Cory C. Engel - CelticChristianTunes.com
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REVIEW: Love in the Ruins...
CDs appeal to all ages - Carol Riediger
Mennonite Brethren Herald • Volume 41, No. 20 • December 6, 2002
ianna Klassen, a talented singer/songwriter has partnered with other excellent musicians in her productions of these two excellent CDs. The first, Love in the Ruins, Hope in the Wasteland, was co-produced by Roy Salmond. While probably best described as having folk-like and Celtic qualities in the music, there was much variety of style and instrumentation, both with acoustic and synthesized/digitally produced sounds from penny whistles and bagpipes to basic guitar and sometimes piano-only accompaniment. The instrumentalists and background vocalists bring quality to this project. She included several choral background groups (male, mixed and children). Lianna has a warm, clear voice with a haunting quality to it. I was impressed that the words were so easy to understand and so balanced with the instruments.
It is obvious that Lianna is a dedicated and growing follower of Jesus Christ. Her music and lyrics - all original - have been inspired by Scripture, and by current and ancient Christian writers and teachers.
I was moved emotionally and spiritually through this album. What an encouragement it was to my faith, a true testimony that God is in control in all circumstances. I believe this CD will appeal to a great range of age, from early adult to the older generation, and cross the boundary of interest of many musical styles.
Lianna's Christmas project, Once Upon a Time Forever After, also offers a very worshipful experience. This CD was co-produced with Graham Ord and Adam Dickens, both adding their British influences. Most of the music is again original. However, there are two lovely Christmas Carol arrangements - O Little Town of Bethlehem, using the traditional English melody rather than the one most of us are familiar with, and the Huron Carol, with its authentic First Nations' sound.
Again, the instrumentation is fascinating and professionally executed. Fiddles, Celtic harp, whistle and mandolin add interest to the music, in addition to the more common "live band" instrumentation.
Lianna suggests that this Christmas CD is to give a worship experience and emphasize the Christmas story and her love for Jesus. She "wanted to stay as far away from 'schmaltz' as she could". This is an inspiring yet enchanting album. It also appeals to a large range of ages and bridges the gap of many styles and interests of music. I highly recommend this CD.
Her CD's are found in Christian Bookstores. Contact Dawntreader Productions at 514-849-6909.
Carol Riediger, a registered piano teacher lives in Chilliwack, B.C. She works as receptionist at the health unit and is involved in worship and music at the Chilliwack Central MB Church. Formerly she has been involved in music and evangelism at Saskatoon Youth For Christ and Bethany Bible Institute, Hepburn, Sask.
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REVIEW: Love in the Ruins...
BC Christian News
Love in the Ruins, Hope in the Wasteland,
by Lianna Klassen (Dawntreader, 2001).
A review by David F Dawes.
 UDDENLY… Love in the Ruins is the fruit of a unique collaboration between two gifted artists. The image was created by award-winning Langley photographic artist Carmen Tomé; it was inspired by the music on the latest CD by Juno-nominated worship leader Lianna Klassen.
Tomé's image graces the cover of Klassen's CD, Love in the Ruins, Hope in the Wasteland. The image recently won two Fuji Masterpiece Awards, for Photographic Illustration and Digital Imaging, at the Provincial Print Show and Exhibition for the Professional Photographers' Association of B.C., held in Coquitlam March 30.
Tomé's work has frequently been commissioned for CD covers, by musicians such as Betty McDaniel, Helma Sawatsky, Brian Doerksen and Jeanette Petkau.
 "My photo reflects the content of Lianna's CD, " says Tomé. "The image was commissioned for the album. She knew what she was after. She wanted an image of reaching for the light - and we came up with it together. She wanted a 'castle' look, a renaissance look. I gave her a huge selection to choose from."
Klassen is equally enthused about the results of the collaboration. "The photo has an ethereal quality which I think the album has. There's a story within the picture [reflecting] that, throughout the history of the church, the light of the Father has always been there. I think the photo also reflects the intimacy that there is on this album."
The personal relationship between the two women was a key part of the collaboration. "It was wonderful working with Carmen," says Klassen. "I first saw her work on Brian Doerksen's Father's House, and I remember at the time asking the Lord to give me an opportunity to work with her someday. She has an incredible ability to capture a moment, and I find her photography very spiritual. I believe she has the gift of intercession, and it comes through in her work."
"Working with Lianna was utterly delightful," says Tomé. "She's a very godly woman, zesty and passionate, and a very generous, warm human being. We really clicked on many different levels. I caught her vision; she gave me all her songs, and I was given a lot of room to be creative.
"I love illustrating songs," she adds, "and finding images to go with the imagery in the song - especially Christian songs. I want to do images that will communicate the spirit of God; to me, that is prophetic. I want the images to reach out and touch people's lives."
The album was produced by Klassen and Roy Salmond, and recorded at Salmond's Whitewater Studios in Richmond. Musicians include violinist Spence Capier and percussionist Pepe Danza, with Salmond on guitar.
The CD begins with multiple overlapping voices of people in prayer, then goes into the exotic growl of a didgeridoo. Much of the album is concerned with prayer. The title song dramatically incorporates brief portions of plain chant, and the recitation of a Welsh prayer.
As with her previous release, Listen to the Sound, Klassen utilizes instruments from a variety of cultures, such as the shakuhachi; tambo; ullieann pipes; celtic harp; hurdy gurdy; bourdron; bagpipes; and penny whistle.
"I love the sounds of the nations," she says, "and I believe we're called to worship the Father in spirit and in truth - which is unique to every person, culture and ethnic group.
"This CD and Listen to the Sound are a celebration of diversity in worship. Someday, when we get to heaven, there's going to be every style of music ever created throughout the ages, and every instrument ever created, as well as [every] language - and it's going to come together in perfection before our Father God. I hope I've communicated this world worship sound on these albums."
After years of leading worship at Northview Community Church in Abbotsford, Klassen recently moved to Alberta. Tomé attends Christian Life Assembly in Langley. Faith is central to the work of both.
"Being a Christian," says Klassen, "has allowed me to tap into the resources of the ultimate Creator. Creativity in itself is a gift from God, and as Christian artists grab hold of that truth, we will begin to affect the world's view of creativity - instead of us being affected by the world!"
Tomé is especially inspired by Psalm 18: "My God turns all my darkness into light. With his help I can run through a barricade. With my God, I can scale walls."
"It's all about serving God," she says, "with passion and courage and commitment, and going where he leads - and loving people along the way."
Tomé can be contacted at (604) 533-5192 or www.carmentome.com
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REVIEW: Love in the Ruins...
Cross Rhythms
Love in the Ruins, Hope in the Wasteland,
by Lianna Klassen (Dawntreader, 2001).
A review by Mike Rimmer
 have long been an admirer of Lianna Klassen's worship music ever since I checked out her previous release 'Listen To The Sound'. What grabbed me so powerfully with that release continues here. Lianna has a skill in gathering sounds and styles from around the world and forging them together into something that is memorable, radiant and inspiring. If worship is a worldwide phenomenon working across cultures and countries, Lianna is at the forefront of breaking down this barrier. Commercial enough to be rooted in pop melodies but interesting enough to break the mould, this new album sees her blossoming. So many standout tracks but let me mention "Song Of Declaration" with its East European flavours and "The Intercessor" which draws on some Celtic sounds. The seven minute prophetic title cut has a dramatic orchestration to underscore the song's theme which measures out the pain of a church which has allowed itself to be corrupted by man's sin and yet within its ruins there is always a remnant that stays faithful to Christ. Lianna skillfully weaves prophetic themes throughout her songs and with this album has taken a huge leap forward creating songs with the same passion and insight that underpins her ministry in churches. A powerful one that ministers strongly and impacts in the way that a huge number of churched out manufactured worship albums fail to connect.
(Cross Rhythms UK magazine Jan/Feb 2002 Issue)
Mike Rimmer is the Assistant Editor of Cross Rhythms magazine, produces and presents a daily radio programme on Europe wide Cross Rhythms. He manages CMBC Media Productions and freelances on a number of media projects including working for leading British label Word UK. He belongs to Church Alive in Birmingham, works amongst students in Birmingham and speaks at various churches and student events.
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REVIEW: Love in the Ruins...
Love in the Ruins, Hope in the Wasteland,
by Lianna Klassen (Dawntreader, 2001).
A review by Adam Harbinson
 he devil thinks he's smart but God always has the last laugh. Lianna Klassen's CD, ironically entitled Love in the Ruins (Hope in the Wasteland) was the only album to survive a fire which wiped out the new Faith For Life stock this month.
Lianna, a household name in Canada, is just beginning to gain a reputation this side of the Atlantic, partly through her work alongside James Ryle, one of the founders of Promise Keepers in America. Together they tenderly and humorously peel away the petty pieties of religion as they tour.
Lianna describes her expressive, thoughtful music as Celtic World Worship and the Celtic feel comes through from track one of Love in the Ruins, Proclamation. She uses a broad range of percussive and wind instruments bringing sometimes Jewish, sometimes English or Scottish folk influences to bear for this collection of prayer songs which could soothe the most savage breast.
One of the stand-out tracks is Sweet Contentment, with its minimalist piano accompaniment and message of trust in walking with Jesus.
Highlight of the CD, however, is the anthem Song for Canada, which she altered to Song for Ireland on a recent visit. The beautiful lyric includes the heartfelt plea:
"And my heart's overwhelmed for this nation that I love, this is my song for Ireland. A song for unity and a song for freedom, Oh Lord our God, may your healing come. And may the walls that divide us no longer stand. Oh Lord, our God heal our land."
Adam Harbinson - Faith For Life magazine, Northern Ireland
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