Reviewed by Tony Cummings

The sleeve on this CD, released in 1999, reads, "Harold has chosen seasoned singer/songwriter/entertainer Bob Stamper to deliver his ministry in song for all the world to enjoy." Maybe that was a tad optimistic as the obscurity of this releases shows that not huge numbers of the world population got to hear it. But if you've a taste for old school country crooned in sentimental Eddy Arnold/Jim Reeves style, Harold's compositions, with titles like "The Bible On Mother's Knee" and "Daddy, Daddy Guess Who I Saw", could reward you searching out this album. Harold Stall was a New York-based believer who after 31 years quit his corporate career to begin a new one as a journalist/short story writer before answering God's call and pastoring a small town church in East Chatham, New York, where he began to write gospel songs. Stamper sings these compositions of angelic encounters and meeting loved ones at Heaven's gates with warmth and tenderness and though the melodies are stereotypical country and western, there is plenty of effective steel guitar from Don Powell and fiddle from Kenny Sears to aid Stamper's crooning. As I said, if you enjoy country performed old school 'It Is Finished, It Is Done' is an album for you.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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