Mike Benge

1 Empty Page (Paul Field, Nearfield Songs, PO Box 6, Wallington, SM6 8ZS, UK) (Arrangement J Stevenson)

2 Crossroads (Don McLean, 1971. United Artists)

3 Out of the World (Roger Mayor; Jubilate Hymns 1994, Arrangement J Stevenson) John’s Gospel Chapter 15 verse 19

4 I’ve found a Friend (J Grindlay Small 1817-88, music J Stevenson 2000 Copyright control)

5 I am The Way (Marilyn Baker, Word Music 1988) John’s Gospel Chapter 14 verses 1 to 6

6 A Place in the Sun (Wells/Paul/Miller Motown 1966, Arrangement J Stevenson)

7 Desperado (G. Frey, D. Henley, Sony Music 1973) With Jeff and Ruth

8 Greenwood (Peter Yarrow Pepamar Music 1973) Arr. N Jenkins Luke’s Gospel Chapter 23 verses 26 to 31

9 Stay Gold (Stevie Wonder, Mojo Music 1989) Arrangement, N Jenkins

10 The Well is Deep ( P. Raistrick 1967 arr M Benge)

11 My Tribute (Andrae Crouch Liberis Music inc. 1971)

12 A Blessing (Trad. Arr. Margaret Rizza; Kevin Mayhew Ltd. 1998) With Harry Produced by : Jeff Stevenson

These are songs which reflect times in my spiritual searching, and my walk in faith with the risen Jesus Christ. They remind us that God has shown Himself in Creation, and in our need to search for the meaning of existence. He has also revealed His nature and purposes in history through the Bible record of Jesus His eternal Son.

a sp

iritu

al jo

urne

y in

son

g an

d fa

ith

A Place in the Sun - Stevie Wonder in this mid ’60s song expressed the general yearning of a generation seeking the good life and freedom. I was brought up in Whitby, a Yorkshire seaside town, and the summers were full of people seeking their time of escape on holiday.

The Well is Deep, is taken from John’s Gospel chapter 4 verses 10 to 14, where Jesus offers eternal life to a Samaritan woman, and to us now. I sang it as my testimony for the final song of our band’s concert sets.

Crossroads. This song stood out for me from Don McLean’s 1971 LP ‘American Pie’. It seemed to express where many people found themselves then.

Greenwood written and sung in the early ’70s by Peter Yarrow of the ’60s top folk music trio, Peter, Paul and Mary, is a protest song which caught my imagination, as it uses the prophetic words of Jesus Christ as he staggered on his way to crucifixion.

Desperado is the much covered ’70s song by the Eagles, which challenges those drifting through life, especially the uncommitted loner.

Empty Page I first heard sung in the late ’70s, and its poetic imagery has stayed with me over the years as I continued to ask God to express Himself in my life.

My Tribute written by Grammy award winner American, Andrae Crouch as thanks to God for his own healing, reflects my own gratitude to God after a long period of illness during the ’70s.

I am the Way written and sung by Marilyn Baker was a blessing to me during a period of illness in the ’80s.

Stay Gold in the ’80s, was the theme for the film “The Outsiders” and was written and sung by Stevie Wonder. I associate it with my daughters’ sleepover parties as the film’s tragedy, coupled with the attractive young

Hollywood “Brat Pack” of teenage stars, and the hero’s last words “Stay gold Pony, stay gold” provoked their tears. I knew the film was over when I heard Stevie sing this song! All our actions will be refined like gold in the furnace of God’s judgement.

Out of the World was written in the ’90s by Roger Mayor, whose worship concert “In His Presence” has been presented by “Singspiration”, my choir.

I’ve found a friend is a traditional hymn expressing what we find in Christ when we trust in Him. Jeff wrote the new melody and arrangement when he read the first verse quoted in a book.

A (Gaelic) Blessing is based on the book of Numbers Chapter 6 verses 24 to 26 in the Bible, and is what we need from God to be completely human.

Executive producer: Mike Benge

Produced, engineered and mixed by Jeff Stevenson at Chiswick Village Studios, London W4 3BY, UK

Additional backing, mixing and arranging by Nigel Jenkins, Eve Music nigeljenkins@btopenworld.com

Mastered by Jeff Stevenson chiswickvillagestudios@googlemail.com

Keyboards: Heather Boyes (Piano) Jeff Stevenson, and Nigel Jenkins (tracks 1, 8 and 9)

Guitars Jeff Stevenson (Nigel Jenkins tracks 1, 8 and 9)

Backing vocals Ruth Vanni, Jeff Stevenson, (Nigel Jenkins tracks 1 and 8)

Narration Michael Haughey

Insert Layout Elizabeth Nicoll elizabeth.r.nicoll@btinternet.com

Cover illustration David James, davidpjames@hotmail.co.uk, www.strangemachines.co.uk

Photography Andre Van Rooyen, arpix2004@yahoo.co.uk

Jeep Rubicon courtesy of Marlborough West London, Chrysler Isleworth UK, www.westlondonjeep.co.uk

Jeep “Lula Belle” courtesy of Angie and Mark Bishop

Jeep Cherokee courtesy of Laurence Truett

Locations: Avon Beach, Christchurch, Dorset; Barton on Sea, Hampshire; and W London,

Special thanks to my wife and family for their spiritual support and love, especially my mother for her encouragement of my singing from my earliest days, and to Anthony Scales, Opera Baritone, for his musical guidance and tuition. Also to Harry, Michael, Jeff and Chi Chi, for their long Christian friendship and musical partnership.

Mike Benge

http://mikebenge.wordpress.com

I’ve been blessed with much help and encouragement in my life. My singing took off as the lead singer of the band ”Last Week’s Collection” in the first wave of modern Christian music. I chose to teach in High schools in London for many years, but have revived solo singing to the glory of God with Singspiration Choir, an offshoot of the London Emmanuel Choir. I also sing with the All Souls Church London gathered choir, www.allsoulsorchestra.org with their Christmas and Easter Prom Praise, at venues such as the Royal Albert Hall, and their contributions to BBC Songs of Praise programmes.

I’m grateful for those on this album of covers for their help in recording this tribute to the mercy and forgiveness of God, the Father of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, in my life.

frien

ds a

long

the

way

Jeff Stevenson is a producer, singer, songwriter and musician whose talents are recognized in the ‘Who’s Who of Popular Music’. From his Band , the bassist went on to Status Quo, his drummer and guitarist to back Elton John and Van Morrison respectively, and his singer Chi Chi to become his wife! He has been a staff songwriter for Sony Music, and the BBC, and had chart hits in Europe and Brazil. He co wrote and sang for the worldwide BBC series ‘Spider (in the Bath)’. Jeff and Chi Chi became Christians in the early 1980’s, and he leads the worship band at Duke Street Church in Richmond, Surrey.

Ruth Vanni is from Illinois USA. Ruth studied Music at Millikin University, and then

came to London to study Opera at the Royal Academy of Music. She went on to further singing in Milan, Italy. She is a regular Opera and Oratorio soloist, and a Choral scholar. She is a composer and teacher, and leader of worship singing at Duke Street Church, Richmond.

Nigel Jenkins is one of the UK top session guitarists, and has recorded with many of the world’s well known Bands, singers and producers, including Cliff Richard, Gerry Rafferty, (‘Baker Street’ LP) and Pete Waterman. He led the rock band ZED, and is a prolific composer and writer for TV, film and commercials, as well as a freelance recording, music and show producer.

Michael Haughey has worked recently with Focus on the Family ‘American Radio Theatre Productions of English Classics’.

Heather Boyes comes from Christchurch, Dorset, and studied piano at Roehampton University. She is Head of Music in a Girls High School, and a church worship band leader.

Harry Willey has a lifetime of church and choral singing experience and comes from Yorkshire. He is a regular soloist with our choir, Singspiration. www.singspiration.org.uk

Mike Benge July 2009