Reviewed by Jonathan Harris

As her website says ".time does not seem to define the career of critically acclaimed singer/songwriter." and for this reason, I'll struggle to remain within the word limit for my review of this 25-song album. It's hard to put Crystal's two and a half decades of music into any one category, other than "remarkable". The album starts by gently introducing Crystal's talents with "Precious Lord" and "You Didn't Have To Do It", before "More" shows that Crystal can rock with the best of them, with guitar work that had me checking that Richie Sambora wasn't credited on the recording! Crystal then goes on to deliver the stunning "Only Fools" to a stripped back acoustic sound. There is (of course) room for "Amazing Grace", although the minor transition on the third verse didn't sit comfortably with me while the rendition of Kendrick's "Shine Jesus Shine" sounds like disco karaoke. But these are more than counter-balanced by the title track of Crystal's 1996 album 'Beauty For Ashes' which, with its rich sound, is a gem. But for me the highlights are the two big-hitters "People Get Ready (Jesus Is Coming)" (written by husband Brian Ray) and "God's Been Good To Me" which encapsulate so much of the Californian's diverse musical abilities. She closes a great double disc compilation with the Nelly Furtado-esque "Think About It" (Philippians 4) followed by the more laid-back "All Day Long" (Psalm 25). A fine set marking 25 inspiring years in CCM.

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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