Reviewed by Tim Holden

El has a reputation as one of the best guitarists in the world and a master at picked steel strung acoustic guitar with over 12 albums to his name. 'Gospel Guitar Treasures' mines the rich heritage of hymns and gospel music to produce 80 minutes - and 27 tracks - of lyrical and flowing picked guitar. The recordings faithfully capture the acoustic guitar with all its nuances and highlight El's talent at improvising round a tune to provide a full and enriching interpretation of songs that usually benefit from all that a human voice normally brings. From "Onward Christian Soldiers" through "Greensleeves (What Child Is This)", "Be Thou My Vision" and "O For A Thousand Tongues / Praise To The Lord" to "Just A Closer Walk With Thee / What A Friend We Have In Jesus" there will be many tracks known to all and some to just a few. The music and arrangements are beautiful and really the only weakness is a lack of variation which only a true guitar aficionado will manage to sit through the whole 80 minutes in one session.

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