I Heard the Voice

We were delighted to have had a CD recording from John M. Martin ("Pordy" to his friends) last year when he produced "Airc a' Choimhcheangal" ("The Ark of the Covenant") on the Smith/ Mearns Recording Label.

His new album, "I Heard the Voice", is equally welcome. Pordy has been gifted with a melodious and musical voice, which he puts to good use as a precentor in Back Free Church. An accomplished and recognised singer in both Gaelic and English, Pordy is also well-known throughout the island. He is currently employed with the North of Scotland Water Authority, and is married to Dolly, a native of Portree, and currently serving in Stornoway with Northern Constabulary.

"I Heard the Voice" is a compilation of spiritual songs in both Gaelic and English. Four of these are in Gaelic and nine in English. Listeners will probably be familiar with most of them, which are in the traditional evangelical tradition. They include Man of Sorrows. Amazing Grace, Immanuel's Land, and I heard the voice of Jesus. The Gaelic singing includes Psalm 23 sung to the popular (not the strictly accurate!) version of Alex Muir's tune 'Bays of Harris'.

This musical tract is a testimony both to Pordy's own faith, and to the Christ who is still able to change hearts and lives. As he writes on the cover sleeve, "I pray that the Lord will bless all who listen to His praises and that many will hear His voice".

-- Iain D Campbell

[from The Monthly Record of the Free Church of Scotland, February 2001 p.45]

The album is available by contacting John M. Martin on pordy@backfreechurch.co.uk.