Trio Serve Up Many Flavors Of Christian Music

The Alltogether Tour Sunday, April 23, the Opera House

Christian music fans were treated to a multitude of musical flavors at the Margaret Becker, Susan Ashton and Christine Dente concert Sunday at the Spokane Opera House.

From acoustic folk and guitaredged rock to artsy adult contemporary and dance-inducing pop, the concert program offered something for everyone.

Though every musician put on entertaining and worthwhile performances, the Becker, Ashton and Dente trio, the night’s opening act, was the real standout.

The Christian trio rendered a set that was both inspired and inspiring.

Whether it was through the moody, folk-rooted ballad “Angels” or with the steamy, Bonnie Raitt-style rocker “Oh Me of Little Faith,” the female threesome endeared itself to the Spokane audience.

No matter the style or the singer, every selection flourished with Becker-Ashton-Dente signature harmonies, which repeatedly ascended into the heavens.

The trio drew such a favorable response from the audience, it was called back to the stage for an encore.

Interspersed with the trio’s performance were brief but welcomed sets from Ashton and Out of the Grey, Dente’s duo with her husband, Scott.

Ashton focused on songs that seemed to best suit her expressive voice - compositions full of yearning and emotion.

Out of the Grey tread waters drifting toward acoustic-edged adult contemporary. Scott Dente’s acoustic guitar prowess functioned as the perfect mate for Christine Dente’s wide-ranging vocals.

Becker headlined Sunday.

Whereas her performance with the trio slanted toward folk, she completely shifted directions during her solo set, playing the dancefriendly, contemporary pop songs that have thrust her into the forefront of the Christian pop genre.

Becker’s songs, many of which she drew from her new album “Grace,” beckoned the audience to its feet and even led some to dance in the aisles.

She was smart to include a couple of slower, acoustic numbers in her show. By doing this, she made herself accessible to her audience. It also allowed the Christian message in her songs to flow more freely.