The songs on this recording all come from the three volumes of Psalm Songs published by Cassells in 1998. The idea for Psalm Songs was first conceived in 1994 by Geoffrey Boulton Smith, then Director of Music for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Portsmouth. Geoffrey had spent much of his life composing and encouraging others to compose liturgical music, especially following the reforms of the Second Vatican Council. After his untimely death in 1996, the project was completed by David Ogden and Alan Smith. The psalms are the prayer book of the Bible – the human expression of dialogue between the people of Israel and their God. From earliest times the synagogues recognised the need for a singer to be employed both to minister at the scrolls and to lead the psalm singing. The singer would stand before the ark of the scrolls and intone the liturgy – a leader of prayer on behalf of the assembly. The psalm is a personal response to the word of God and so today is most suitably placed after the first reading in a eucharistic celebration. In recent years psalm singing has been given fresh impetus by the use of responsorial settings which give scope for solo cantors and choirs, encouraging the congregation to engage in dialogue with them. Much of the music written by composers working in Roman Catholic parishes throughout the world has now been adopted enthusiastically by musicians and congregations of other denominations, allowing both participation by the congregation and musical substance for choirs and soloists. This recording reflects the range of emotions and moods of the seventy-nine psalms included in Psalm Songs. The composers have used different musical styles including Folk Music, Blues, Pop and Hymnody, to help the words come off the page and speak to our hearts and minds. We are indebted to members of Clifton Cathedral Choir and Music Group and to the composers and friends who have contributed to the making of this recording. We hope that this recording will help you to discover a freshness in the psalm texts and to gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of them. David Ogden, Alan Smith and Richard Jeffrey–Gray. The Musicians – Clifton Cathedral Choir, Music Group and friends directed by David Ogden Flute: Clare Coyle Oboe: Lucy Boulton Smith Clarinet: Gill McLorinan, Paul Wellicome (4) Alto Saxophone: Sarah Herrick Trumpet: Maria Cummings (4), Phillippa Nabb Violin: Teresa Brown, Mark Loh (11, 18) Keyboards: Ray dʼInverno (8,15), Richard Jeffrey–Gray, David Ogden (2, 14) Organ: Ian Ball (3, 16), David Ogden (9), Mark Holt (11, 18) Guitar: Chris Wright, John Glynn (12) Drums: David Smith Recorded at Clifton Cathedral, Bristol and on location in Essex, Malvern and at the studios of Hoxa. The watercolour image painted by David Friese–Greene, commissioned by Hoxa.