Reviewed by Tony Cummings

This is a 3CD box set which is a deep dip into music history and its compiler David Wells needs to be congratulated for putting together such a truly fascinating set which finally brings into focus a chunk of popular music history neglected for too long by music historians. There are tracks by the Christian music pioneers like Parchment, Out Of Darkness, Judy McKenzie and Whispers Of Truth (Graham Kendrick's start into the wonderful world of music making). There are also a lot of tracks by bands and soloists who weren't Christians but during the era when churches could put on Christian music events at the Rainbow Theatre and the Royal Festival Hall and when even Joni Mitchell and Elton John were making lyrical references to American Jesus freaks it seemed quite appropriate to record songs about Jesus and the Bible with either cover versions like Art Reynolds' "Jesus Is Just Alright, the traditional favourite "Will The Circle Be Unbroken" or Judy Sill's "Jesus Was A Cross Maker" and sometimes penning their own compositions. As this compilation demonstrates, there were a sizeable number of well-known acts prepared to have a shot at a God song and the Strawbs, Clifford T Ward, Jethro Tull, Roy Wood, Matthews Southern Comfort, the Kinks, Lindisfarne, Manfred Mann's Earth Band and others all weigh in here and intriguingly rub shoulders with unheralded Christian acts like Roger & Jan and the Pilgrims. Sometimes the music is downright poor (All Things New's "Jesus Is Coming Again" or Gerry Rafferty's "Gospel Song") but more often it is musically strong despite the passing of the years. Quality too is the packaging with comprehensively researched sleeve notes and some seldom seen photos to go with the 57 tracks on offer here. The whole set gives fans of late '60s/early '70s rock plenty of music, much of which they may not have heard before. 'All God's Children' is a set which deserves a track-by-track review. Cross Rhythms will endeavour to deliver such in the future.

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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