November 2009

Thought it was time to give you all an update on the year that is so quickly coming to an end.

It’s been a mixed year.  Starting off so positively with our charity trip to Belarus in January, followed by a very busy spring in the studio and touring.

In March we launched a contemporary album called “Beautiful” which has probably been the best received album to date – followed quite quickly in May with our 7th album called “Hymns and Harmony”.  I think the title speaks for itself.

If you click on the “albums” section of this website you can listen in to those highlighted as MP3s.  Which one is your favourite?

I’ll put some reviews at the foot of this news page to give you more idea of the styles etc.

As I was saying earlier, it has been a mixed year.  Teenie’s sister Sandra (age 53) took a stroke just before Easter.  She was then transferred from hospital in Shetland to a stroke unit at a hospital in Aberdeen.  Her lack of progress caused them to further investigate and they discovered she was quite ill with cancer – this being the original reason for the stroke.  Our busy spring meant we managed to visit her in Aberdeen several times – at the start or end of a trip.  Sadly she lost her battle on 1st July but the good news is she went Home to be with the Lord and her husband who had died 9 years previously.

Some of you are probably aware by now that I have been unwell myself since about the end of August.  It started with some bites on holiday in England that became infected after I got home.  A course of anti-biotics cleared the infected bites but by this time I was loosing weight, feeling nauseous and struggling with low energy levels.  I have had lots of tests and saw a consultant in October – who is in agreement with the local doctor that I am suffering from a post viral thing and it will take time.  The consultant told me that touring could wait – and that I needed to take it easy.  We’re now three / four months in to this and if I was honest energy levels are fairly low most days yet.  It did vex me to have to cancel the November tour but know that was absolutely the right thing – although I’m sorry to have disappointed folks. 

So I would value your prayers for myself and my family.  God is good.

So those reviews…

 

MICHAEL HARCUS
BEAUTIFUL
ISLAND IMAGE  RECORDS      IIR006

Christine and Michael Harcus songs are insightful and deep, seeped in devotion. This album deserves to hit big.  Here’s a great contemporary folk-sound from the talented song-stylist Michael Harcus from the Orkney Islands.  A quality performer with rich-deep, treacle-tones his gospel-balladeering style is biographical and engaging.  Penned with his wife, Teenie, this repertoire is some of their greatest and best. Deservedly, he is one of the UK’s brightest Christian talents.  A competent communicator, his tales are tenderly crafted. One can see, or rather hear, quality when it comes by and it has definitely come in the form of MH. He tackles innovation full-on and treads the path of originality with appeal.  I loved the Party track at the end.

 

Paul Davis

www.pauldavisauthor.com 
www.newchristianmusic.co.uk
www.ncmradioshow.com
www.ukcma.org

 

MICHAEL HARCUS
BEAUTIFUL
ISLAND IMAGE  RECORDS      IIR006

 

This is the 6th album from Westray singer-songwriter, Michael Harcus and although the others have been hugely popular, the production quality of “Beautiful” lifts it onto a new plane altogether.

The theme is exactly what you’d expect. Michael is an upfront Gospel singer and there’s no attempt to disguise that. The lyrics spring from a predictably solid and largely praise-based theology, which anyone familiar with previous recordings or live performances will be familiar with. In short, it’s a celebration of life and faith and one which stands in amazed wonder at the enduring love of God. The themes are big and liberating, a bit like the God they proclaim, and the musical quality proves worthy of the job in hand.

This is a thoroughly listenable album which, though essentially led by a contemporary guitar-based sound, manages to traverse the musical spectrum from the haunting harmonies of “Your Word, Love and Grace” to the sonorous heights of title track, “Beautiful”. In between you’ll find everything from upbeat country to the gently melodic, from jazzy tempos to the raw bluesy feel of “Two Ways”. All this is polished off with an invitation to get your knees up for the final track and just let it rip with guest fiddler, Andy Cant – Sankey on speed!

It’s a fulsome and classy production with 12 tracks, which manage to blend traditional, if timeless values, with contemporary music – listen to the almost Psalmodic lyrics of “The Lord is Good” in their thoroughly contemporary setting and you’ll hear what I mean. It succeeds through the quality of musicianship and production.

Michael is also joined by his now regular musical cast of: his wife Christine, who’s written one and co-written another of the tracks; Kenneth Harcus, drums, bass and writer of a further four; and the ever-splendid Mairi Paton on piano. Phil Anderson, producer, adds piano and guitar amongst others, whilst virtually everyone is in the vocal line-up somewhere.

The album is beautifully packaged in a background of stunning landscape and seascape photos.

It will no doubt succeed handsomely in preaching to the converted and will delight all those with a penchant for Gospel music. But an album of this quality deserves a wider audience still. Spread the Word!

Iain MacDonald

 

MICHAEL HARCUS WITH FAMILY & FRIENDS
HYMNS & HARMONY
ISLAND IMAGE RECORDS    IIR 007

What a gem!  If ever devotional repertoire received from generations-past conjured up the well-beloved nostalgia of ‘tried-and-tested’ chapel-life, it is that of the celebrated evangelical hymnal. Nowadays, as this great hymnal set from the Harcus Family illustrates - the material is far from dead-and-buried. This easy-on-the-ear Scots’ country-offering is a wonderful and sensitive collection of hymns drawn from the last couple of centuries plus the more recent Southern Gospel store. Many of these songs were born out of the traumatic experiences but, this is an optimistic and hope-filled mix drenched in the folk-musical modernity of the Orkney Islands. Passion is hot and high, engaging and inspirational.

 

PAUL DAVIS

www.pauldavisauthor.com 
www.newchristianmusic.co.uk
www.ncmradioshow.com
www.ukcma.org

 

 

 

 

MICHAEL HARCUS WITH FAMILY & FRIENDS
HYMNS & HARMONY
ISLAND IMAGE RECORDS    IIR 007

Rating 8/10
Reviewed by Tom Lennie

The north isle of Westray is the spiritual jewel among Orkney's 17 inhabited islands; its evangelical heritage dating back to the turn of the 19th century. Over 200 years later 30-something Harcus is one living evidence of that ongoing heritage. Both his parents were involved in gospel groups and Michael's musical tones have been familiar to Scottish gospel music lovers for many years. Indeed 'Hymns & Harmony' is his sixth album recording since his debut in 1998. It differs from most of the others in that - bar one - these are not his own compositions. Instead, as its title suggests, this disc expresses the islander's lifelong love of tried and tested gospel songs that are rich in melody, harmony and lyrical content. Thankfully, it's no mere regurgitation of grossly over-recorded tunes (though, despite its strong performance, I do question the need for another version of "Will The Circle Be Unbroken"). These arrangements - care of Mike along with wife, Christine, and various Orkney, Shetland and mainland colleagues - come over with real musical aptitude and freshness of sound, and an uncanny depth of spirituality. Side-by-side, we're treated to two choice Fanny Crosby hymns, picked from that writer's most remarkable repertoire. With most tunes, however, we're talking about age in terms of decades rather than centuries (eg, one was penned by Dennis Jernigan, another by Bill Gaither), and in the case of "My Faith Is Strong", it's a totally new composition written by Christine and sung by Mairi, which sits neatly alongside these others. Indeed a further newie or two might have added to the set. "There Is A River" gains considerably from its tender, deliberate piano-based treatment, and while I know a couple of Celtic interpretations of "My Jesus I Love Thee", this version is easily the best - these guys' take of it being simply sublime. Indeed, harmonies on all tracks are quite delectable and help to make this album. "Sheltered In The Arms Of God" is another real gem, and shows off Michael's vocals at their purest. It's clear that this amiable Orcadian is totally at home with this melee of country and bluegrass and it's equally clear to the present reviewer that it's with this format also that not only does he sound his personal best, but stands out as one of the very finest of British country/Americana-flavoured acts.

Back to me!  Thank you for reading. 

Keep ‘us’ in your prayers.  Buy a CD!

Every blessing

 

Michael

January 2009

We had an exciting start to 2009 as we (that’s Michael, Teenie and Mairi) had the privilege of going to Belarus with a charity called SAM Chernobyl Relief. We flew from Prestwick to Warsaw (Poland) along with the rest of the team, then travelled by minibus to Grodno in Belarus.

Meet the team...

Back row: Michael, Robert, Malcolm, Colin, Lenny
Front row: Teenie, Cindy, Mairi

 

We were well warned to wrap up warm as the temperatures at that time of year can be bitter.  Good advice!  We experienced -23oC as we crossed the border.  Brrr.

One of our “tasks” while in Belarus was to distribute shoe boxes to the disabled, terminally ill and those from poor or large families.  These shoe boxes had been sent out by a charity called Samaritans Purse.

The photos tell it better than we can…

We also visited the homes of the poorest families – and this is probably one of the highlights of the trip.  Such lovely people.

We need to take a minute to tell you about Marina. 

Marina suffers from M.S. (Multiple Sclerosis).  She cannot walk, and lives up 100 stairs in a top floor flat.  There is no disabled access or lift.  Her son Artium has to carry her to bed, or carry her to the bath.  He is a lovely guy who is also trying to study at University and work as a waiter.  SAM Chernobyl Relief are making Marina’s situation their main project for 2009 and are hoping to purchase for her a ground floor flat, or one with a lift.  The estimated cost of this is £60,000 and we’re trying to help with this as much as we can – mainly by promoting the situation to folks that we come across on our travels.

 

If you want to find out more information here are a couple of useful links…

 

http://www.warrenmedia.co.uk/belarus/

http://www.sam-chernobyl-relief.com/news/

 

While in Belarus we did a bit of singing, sometimes in churches or in the homes.  While in Borisov we took part in a concert on the Saturday night, and also church on the Sunday morning.  It was incredible to see God speaking through the music – despite the language barrier.

Some of you have supported us anonymously through a company called Stewardship.  This is the details:-

 

Stewardship
Email: enquiries@stewarship.or.uk
Web:www.stewardship.org.uk
Sovereign Account Number: 20094475
Account name: Michael Harcus

 

If any of you want to support the “Marina” project (SAM Chernobyl Relief) then we can only encourage you that this is a very worthwhile project.  We can pass donations onto Colin and Cindy McKenzie, or you can send them direct.  See the link above for their website.

 

Just one last time let us take this opportunity to thank all of you who supported us financially making it possible for us to go to Belarus.  Not only did we get enough money for our fares, we also contributed towards some of the gifts that were given directly to families, the disabled centre and to the orphanage we visited.

 

NEW ALBUM

(or should we say NEW ALBUMS)

We have released a new album called BEAUTIFUL.  It is a contemporary Christian album containing songs from Michael Harcus, Kenneth Harcus and Christine Harcus.  We are really pleased with it and hope you enjoy and are blessed by the material. 

Watch out for another new album in May.  This will be a different style.  It will be called “Hymns and Harmony” and features Michael with guests.  It’s great to have family and friends to call on when you put together an album such as this.

 

Well, that’s most of our news.  You’ll see from the tour page that the months ahead are busy so keep on praying for my family and myself.  Your prayers are very much appreciated.  It’s amazing how we feel God upholding us as a family through some of the ‘apart’ times.  God bless you.  Well done for reading till now!!   Michael & Teenie x

 

 

 

October 2008

Time to bring you uptodate again with some of our travels…

Tours

I spent much of the Spring of 2008 away from home – touring throughout Scotland and England.  Most of the summer time was spent at home in Westray helping with some of the summer tourist work like bus driving / changing beds.  We also had a family holiday in the campervan which was superb. 

Sightseeing in Paris - in the campervan!

Whitby 2008 with George Hamilton IV

New Album

We’ve been working on some new material and have spent some of September in the recording studio.  The next album will contain songs written by Kenneth Harcus (peedie drummer boy), Teenie Harcus (my wife) and me (myself).  The album will be called “Beautiful” and we hope to launch it in Spring 2009.

Then…along with this…we are working on another album of hymns and gospel songs like “Jesus keep me near the cross” and “There is a river”.  We hope to launch this one a bit later in spring 2009.  We also hope to involve our daughter Hannah in one of the tracks.

We’re enjoying working on both projects.

The winter ahead

Scotland, Shetland, England, Scotland … and Papay!  Not forgetting Papay!  (Its posh name is Papa Westray and is our neighbouring island – check it out on the web).

Belarus with SAM Chernobyl Relief

I was asked early in 2008 if I would consider joining a team of volunteers on a trip to Belarus in January 2009.  The charity is SAM Chernobyl Relief and they plan the trip to coincide with Christmas (7 January) in Belarus.  I agreed to try to raise the money for my fare (over £1000) and although I was keen to go, secretly wished that “da lasses” (i.e. Teenie and Mairi) could have come too – but that was impossible, I thought, as they would both be working in schools and this trip would be in term time.  But God had other plans (read more below) and I am delighted that “da lasses” are planning to come too.

We leave from Prestwick on 3rd January 2009 and return on the 13th or 14th.  Our role in Belarus will be to assist the rest of the team as they visit orphanages and hospitals to distribute Christmas gifts and possibly to sing in these places.  We will also be involved in evening concerts but do not know the extent of our involvement at this stage.

It will be cold (perhaps -30oC) but we hope that the message of God’s love and the hope that we find in Him will be warmly received.

So there’s plenty to be getting on with and plenty for you all to be praying about.

 

It’s certainly been a busy year!  Apart from all the usual things like being a mam, keeping the house clean, kirk things, getting Michael organised for tours, touring with him … I also decided to change my job and have been on the steepest learning curve I’ve ever been on in my life!  Since I came to stay in Westray I have worked at the school – but they say a change is a good thing – and I was delighted when I got the job as practice manager and dispenser at the local surgery.  It’s a busy practice – and the dispensing side of things certainly keeps me on my toes!  The advantages are that it is a few hours less per week and there is a bit more flexibility to be able to join Michael on his tours.  So I guess that’s why I’m free to be able to accompany Michael on the trip to Belarus with SAM Chernobyl Relief in January 2009.

  

2008 has been a year of many changes for me. After a lovely time in Orkney for New Year, my dad took ill shortly after and was admitted to hospital on the 9th Jan. He was quickly diagnosed with spinal cancer, and sadly died two weeks later. On reflection, if there was ever a time that my Christian faith was stretched – this was it! Having lost my mum less than four years earlier, I have had to come to terms with being an ‘orphan’.  But God has proved Himself faithful throughout, and I am confident that my sister and I will continue to cope and always be grateful for the happy memories we have of our childhood, and the unending support of both our parents as we made our way in the world.

While I was in Orkney in April at the Islands Ablaze conference God spoke to me through the theme song of the worship times - ‘Cry Freedom’:   ‘I will walk in Your will, I’ve a destiny to fulfill. I will run, take the risk, I was born for such a time as this’
Now I no longer have my dad to think about, I have had the freedom to stop and ask God what His plan is for the next part of my life. Although born out of a sad time, I feel that this is definitely a positive thing. I returned to Aberdeen after the conference to ask for a year-long sabbatical from my job as a Principal Teacher of Guidance to allow me to have some time to reflect and recharge.  My school, although initially a bit taken aback, agreed this would be a positive thing for me. After a few weeks however, I knew that the ‘risk’ part was actually resigning – not holding onto the security of a job. I feel God spoke to me clearly about trusting for the next stage of my life and not having a back-up plan just in case God didn’t provide!

I have been officially unemployed since the 4th July, and haven’t looked back. August/September was spent clearing out my parents house to get it ready to be sold, and having the chance to be in Orkney to practice some new material with M&T for recording in the studio. I’ve several trips planned over the next few months to reconnect with friends I haven’t seen in years – Egypt, USA, Hong Kong, Australia to name a few – and I have the chance to do some more touring with Michael which will be great. I am looking forward to our time in Belarus next January – what an adventure!

I’ve learned that life doesn’t always go the way you plan it, or want it to – but fortunately God is always the same. I’m trying hard to make sure my eyes are always focused on Him then I can deal with whatever comes my way!

A huge thank you to all of you who have donated towards our trip to Belarus.  It is possible to make a donation anonymously through a company called Stewardship if you are interested.  See details below.
Stewardship
Email: enquiries@stewardship.org.uk
Web: www.stewardship.org.uk
Sovereign Account Number: 20094475
Account name: Michael Harcus