Reviewed by Andrew Rolfe

OK, I confess. I was cynical. It looked like a money spinner from Integrity Music. I mean, what's cheaper than getting 21 artists to permit you to re-release their work? Just burn a few CDs, make a cover and hey presto, you have a cash cow. Then I started listening and economic debate fell like the sower's seeds on the path to be eaten by birds. Sticking to its remit of rendering old hymns in a modern worship style, this album doesn't push forward the boundaries of music, but it does contain a pleasantly wide variety of styles. You'll find all the instrumentation you've come to expect from the more mellow worship albums that flood today's market. We're treated to soft percussion and penny whistles straight from the hills of Ireland. We're soothed by lilting violin and piano straight out of a romantic film. You'll experience prolonged and seemingly improvised choruses that extend the original songs, and live recordings (4Him do a popped up version of "The Solid Rock" which has the feet tapping in no time).The lovely Amy Grant performs "Fairest Lord Jesus" with a fiddle and guitar country mood. The ubiquitous Brian Doerksen, for better or worse, Vineyardizes "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God" complete with key change. The equally almost-omnipresent Mike W Smith encourages a live audience to "Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus" in a style reminiscent of a softly flowing Sunday afternoon boat trip. Irishman Eoghan Heaslip's "How Great Thou Art" is an energetic and moving experience, complete with cries of "Yeah", "Jesus" and repetition of the song title over a background wall of sound. It works. I'd buy the album for this song alone. Crystal Lewis does a version of "There Is A Fountain Filled With Blood" which could very well feature in a Broadway musical, complete with string and wind section and undulating, dreamy vocals. We're also served versions of "Amazing Grace", "Because He Lives", "Blessed Assurance" and "When I Survey The Wondrous Cross" which might surprise the composers but wouldn't leave them lamenting the use of instruments other than the organ. This is a hymn collection that picks and chooses from some of the western world's best known contemporary Christian artists and worship leaders. Most songs feature one lead vocal, so avoid if you want choirs. If this album were a Frequent Flyer Programme, it'd be the Super Platinum Elite: a great one to have in the background whilst travelling to some far off place.

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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