Cutting Edge (recordings)

For other uses, see Cutting edge (disambiguation).

Cutting Edge is a series of recordings made by the British rock band Delirious?. The songs were originally written for a regular youth event, Cutting Edge, in the band's home town of Littlehampton. Through this, the band gained its first name, 'The Cutting Edge Band', which was later changed to 'Delirious?' when the band went full time in 1997.

Reviewing the 1998 United States release, CCM magazine found that the band had created "a modern hymnody for generations raised on rock 'n 'roll."^[1] One major lyrical break from older styles of hymns, however, was the lack of masculine and patriarchal pronouns.^[1]

Releases

The recordings were originally released in four separate cassette tapes at the events. However, the recordings are now sold on compact disc, with the 'Delirious?' branding. In the United Kingdom, the recordings are available in two separate albums: Cutting Edge 1 and 2 and Cutting Edge 3 and Fore. In 2007, they were re-released as a double 'Fuse Box' album, 'Cutting Edge One, Two, Three and Fore'. In North America, they are available as a single, two-disc album, 'Cutting Edge'. The North American version was certified Gold in Canada by the CRIA and the band's distributor CMC Distribution

Cutting Edge 1 and 2
Studio album by Delirious?
Released	1994
Genre	Worship, Christian Rock
Length	64:48
Label	Furious?
Producer	Andy Piercy
Delirious? chronology
Cutting Edge 1 and 2 (1994) Cutting Edge 3 and Fore (1995)

Cutting Edge 1

Cutting Edge 1 was released in June 1993. It was the first ever release by Delirious?, then known simply as 'The Cutting Edge Band'. It contains the first song ever written by the band as a unit, the world famous 'Lord, You Have My Heart', which is still sung regularly in churches around the world to this day. At the time of recording, the band only consisted of lead singer and recording engineer Martin Smith, his friend and colleague Tim Jupp (who played keyboards) and drummer Stew Smith, who did youth work for the Cutting Edge event. Other places within the band were filled by a wide variety of performers. On the recording, lead guitar was played by Dave Clifton, bass guitar by Jim Bryan, additional percussion by Martin Neil, and backing vocals by Vanessa Gibbs, Helen Burgess and Andy Piercy. At the time, future bassist Jon Thatcher worked selling the tapes at the Cutting Edge events. Cutting Edge 1 later became available on the Cutting Edge 1 and 2 CD compilation.

Cutting Edge 2

Cutting Edge 2 was released almost a year later, in April 1994. By this point, guitarist Stu G had joined the band, and is present for the first time on this recording. Cutting Edge 2 contained the fan favorite, 'The Happy Song', which was later remixed for the band's compilation album 'Deeper', in addition to arguably the band's most famous song, top 40 single, I Could Sing Of Your Love Forever. This time, other places in the band were filled by Les Driscoll on bass, Terl Bryant on additional percussion, Jenny Legg on backing vocals, Bob Brookes on harmonica and Richard Causon on hammond organ. At this point, Jon Thatcher still had not joined the band, despite the fact he is credited as bass player in the sleeve notes of the Cutting Edge 1 and 2 compilation.

Cutting Edge 3 and Fore
Studio album by Delirious?
Released	1995
Genre	Worship, Christian Rock
Length	69:13
Label	Furious?
Producer	Andy Piercy
Delirious? chronology
Cutting Edge 1 and 2 (1994) Cutting Edge 3 and Fore (1997) Live & In The Can (1996)

Cutting Edge 3: Red Tape

Cutting Edge 3, also known as Red Tape, was released in May 1995. The EP contained well known Delirious? songs 'Did You Feel The Mountains Tremble?', 'I've Found Jesus', and 'I'm Not Ashamed' amongst others. Other places in the band were this time filled by Dudley Philips on bass, Chris Hutchinson on hammond organ and Jussy McLean on backing vocals. Andy Piercy also returned to record backing vocals for the EP, whilst Joss Ambrose played the didgeridoo on one track. It was included on the compilation album Cutting Edge 3 and 4, although the 'Red Tape' subtitle was dropped.

Cutting Edge Fore

Cutting Edge Fore was released shortly after Red Tape, in December 1995. By this point, Jon Thatcher had joined the band as bass player, after filling in when a previous bassist could not perform at the event. He was the last member of Delirious? to join before Paul Evans joined as drummer in early 2008. The EP contained well known Delirious? songs such as Obsession. Louder Than The Radio was later re-recorded, and placed on the American version of the band's first full album, King Of Fools. Elsewhere, Jussy McLean also returned to record backing vocals for all seven tracks. The EP was released on the compilation album Cutting Edge 3 and 4, although the 'fore' in the original title was dropped.

Cutting Edge
Studio album by Delirious?
US Version
The cover art for 'Cutting Edge' released in 1998.

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source	Rating
CCM[1]
This table needs to be expanded using prose. See the guideline for more information.

Track listing

Cutting Edge 1

1. "Message of the Cross" (Martin Smith) – 4:46
2. "Singer's Song" (Smith) – 4:29
3. "Lord, You Have My Heart" (Smith) – 2:57
4. "What Is This Thing Called Love?" (Smith) – 5:00
5. "The Crucible for Silver" (Smith) – 3:44
6. "Thank You for Saving Me" (Smith) – 7:02

Cutting Edge 2

1. "The Happy Song" (Smith) – 4:28
2. "Prophet Song" (Smith) – 7:49
3. "King of Love" (Smith) – 2:50
4. "Coming Back" (Smith) – 5:07
5. "Lead Me" (Smith) – 6:02
6. "I Could Sing of Your Love Forever" (Smith) – 6:09

Cutting Edge 3: Red Tape

1. "Did You Feel the Mountains Tremble?" (Smith) – 9:45
2. "I've Found Jesus" (Smith) – 4:56
3. "Oh Lead Me" (Smith) – 4:52
4. "Shaken Up" (Smith) – 5:34
5. "I'm Not Ashamed" (Smith) – 6:43
6. "Find Me in the River" (Smith) – 5:11

Cutting Edge Fore

1. "Louder Than the Radio" (Smith) – 4:08
2. "You Split the Earth" (Smith) – 4:56
3. "When All Around Has Fallen" (Smith) – 6:02
4. "I've Searched for Gold" (Smith) – 3:16
5. "Shout to the North" (Smith) – 4:14
6. "All I Want Is You" (Smith) – 5:06
7. "Obsession" (Smith) – 8:34

References

1. ^ ^{a b c} Newcomb, Brian Quincy (April 1998). "Reviews / Cutting Edge". CCM Magazine 20 (10): 56. ISSN 1524-7848.