Reviewed by Nigel Harris

"Oh dear", was my first reaction on opening this CD: a compilation of hymns from recent CCM and worship releases with some tenuous link, concocted by a record executive at Integrity. However, my scepticism soon faded as I started to listen to it! It kicks off with "What A Friend We Have In Jesus" led by Paul Baloche, and over the first four tracks I was starting to enjoy it, although Eoghan Heaslip deserves to be reported to the poetry police for his phrasing of "grant Heaven's joys to me O bright heaven's sun" on "Be Thou My Vision" (had he not practised it beforehand?)! Suddenly, Candi Pearson's "He Leadeth Me" catapults you across the Atlantic to Nashville and we're in country music land. The culture shock lessens after you've listened to it a few times, and in the end I found this the most enjoyable track on the album. Next track up MercyMe's frontman Bart Millard and the country vibe goes into overdrive on "There Is Power In The Blood". Apart from the refreshing detour to Australia for Darlene Zschech's moving version of "Amazing Grace", the rest of the album stays in the studios and rather sanitized live recording venues of the USA. But, all in all, not a bad compilation.

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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