Reviewed by Chris Tozer

With volume seven already on sale Authentic Media have obviously found a niche market for double albums of classic hymns of yesteryear and it would appear that the series now has a momentum of its own. As with the earlier recordings this collection of 30 hymns is robustly sung by the Scottish Festival Choir in Edinburgh, the Choir of Chester Cathedral and the Choir and congregation of St. Margaret's Church in Prestwich, Manchester. The distinguished roster of musicians includes the much-recorded flautist Simeon Wood, Andrew Maries on the oboe and the multi-talented Christopher Norton, who must have the longest curriculum vitae in British Christian music. I must admit that I am puzzled at the compilation of these hymns, as there is an awesome variety akin to Alice Cooper teaming up with George Beverly Shea and the Third Ear Band. The "Caribbean Lord's Prayer" makes a strange bedfellow with "Blessed Assurance", let alone the most recent hymn - from the '60s - "Lord Jesus Christ". I would have thought a thematic approach, with hymns of a certain style on one album, would attract an even wider audience than purely hymnnophiles par sae. Norton, in his role as producer, has evidently decided to adopt a Kellog's Variety approach - which must be commercially viable as the series heads into double figures. Certainly Norton has been magnificently successful in recording the vast breadth of hymnody in the English speaking Church.

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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