What started in 2001 with the collaboration of three diverse - but equally passionate, talented and authentic - singer/songwriters, has turned into something else: a musical project that looks set to last.

Noel Richards, Brian Houston and Wayne Drain formed The Hudson Taylors a decade ago, with no fixed plans beyond a few gigs together and an opportunity to record in the USA. There, in Nashville, they turned up to simply ‘see what happened’.

The result was Hurricane - their 2002 album, released by Kingsway.
As debuts go Hurricane had more power in it than most. It saw them touring the UK, Germany, Holland, Canada and USA throughout 2002 and 2003, to the delight of a wide range of crowds.

Now, a decade on from their first adventures, the Hudson Taylors are back with a second album.

The Lord Bless And Keep You holds true to the original spirit of the trio: authenticity, honesty and truth. As much about perseverance as it is about anything else, the album weaves a vital message throughout the songs.

"With all the challenges the world is facing today, we must persevere," says Noel.

"The songs on our new album reflect our journey of faith over the past decade and the lessons that life has taught us.

"James 1:12 says: 'Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him.'

"The songs on ‘The Lord Bless And Keep You’ relate to what Jesus is doing in our lives at this time. They challenge us to put our trust in an eternal God, a timeless faith and a living word, rather than a religious culture."

There’s something about the make-up of The Hudson Taylors that gets to the heart of their appeal. Comprising a Welshman, an Irishman and an American Cherokee/Scot, The Hudson Taylors bring to the table a wealth of experience, heritage and skill.

Their unique sound blends the raw nature of the Celtic with the tones of country, acoustic rock and blues. Simple ballads sit alongside congregational worship numbers, and all along there’s the sense of these songs getting right down to business: dealing with issues of justice, devotion and the simple steps of faith.