Back in 2012 Phil Hudson decided to finally start the process of recording and publishing the songs of ‘faith and justice’ he (and his collaborators) had been working on for over a decade. His journey of faith and spirituality had taken him off the ‘main roads’ of conventional faith on to the ‘back roads’ of struggling with how faith, religion and the church fit with a life of integrity and concern for the many injustices in the world.

His way of expressing some of that journey came in the form of song, specifically group songs, that others could access regardless of where they were at on their journey. In the next five years, he and his friends produced two albums, ‘Will there be a time?’ in late 2012 and ‘The Gentle Revolution’, along with the ‘Taking the Back Roads’ songbook in 2017.

‘Taking the Back Roads’ songbook

The songbook ‘Taking the Back Roads’ includes piano arrangements, chords and lyrics and chords from both albums and therefore all 24 songs of faith and justice from Phil Hudson and friends.

‘The Gentle Revolution’

Phil Hudson and The Grand Companions’ album ‘The Gentle Revolution’, explore how faith and justice intersect in 10 new original group songs. After writing most of them between 2014 and 2016, Phil and his friends recorded the album in late 2016 and early 2017 he recorded 10 songs at Four4ty Studios in Eltham.

While the themes from the first album continue, the album sees a progression in the quality of the sound and features the rich tones of Katie Yap on viola. Stand out tracks include ‘Light the Dark’, ‘Love is the Way’ and a song featuring vocals from Australian Boys Choir member Ryland Mitchell called ‘I’m Special’. The album is an expression of a ‘new’, non-violent, honest but hopeful way of life and faith.

Will there be a time?

This collection of 14 ‘original spirituals’ by Phil Hudson and friends were recorded in late 2012 but the songs were written over the previous 14 years! The songs explore the joy of the everyday, faith, doubt, community, suffering and yearning for a better world – with a sense of passion and an underlying sense of hope. Musically it covers many styles including rock, folk, reggae, jazz, world and blues but all the songs invite the listener to tap their feet, sing along or maybe both! 

In describing the album Phil says ‘The songs have a live feel, which I think people will enjoy. And while they were mainly intended to be worship songs, I hope people who are at different ‘places’ regarding faith may still find a way to relate to them, as they come out of my very human struggles. Wherever you are at on the journey of life, you’ll find some inspiration on this CD.

Songs

Go with the Flow Go with the Flow Sample
The Present The Present Sample
One One Sample
Help Share the Load Help Share The Load Sample
Back Roads Back Roads Sample
Perfect Storm Perfect Storm Sample
Reconnect My Heart Reconnect My Heart Sample
Grace Road (We Are Sorry) Grace Road Sample
Glass Half Full Glass Half Full Sample
You Love Everyone You Love Everyone Sample
Wait for the Lord Wait For The Lord Sample
The First Stone The First Stone Sample
Following the Way Following the Way Sample
Be Not Afraid (Will There Be A Time?) Be Not Afraid Sample

please email [email protected] for international orders

$20 + $3.50 postage and handling (within Australia)