Tony Cummings finds fresh strength as he listens to his (seemingly) millionth album to discover the 1001 greatest ever-Christian music recordings.

201 PATRICK HENDERSON AND THE WEST ANGELES COGIC SANCTUARY CHOIR - LET THE SPIRIT FALL DOWN ON ME. From the album 'Look To Jesus', Newpax, 1981.

The question has to be asked (though not answered -in this review anyway) why it is that in the 90s such a vibrant stream of music as black gospel choirs has turned into a vast assembly line of whooping and hollering, "let's have church, wow, yeah, Lord have mercy, amen! amen" stereotypes with only one track in a thousand standing out from the huge mounds of recordings. Thankfully this one does stand out, thanks in part to veteran gospel and R&B producer Patrick Henderson making sure the WACOGICS have a good song to start with. Vibrant, soul-satisfying praise with a righteous sister soulfully asking the Spirit to do his work while those massed voices urge her on.

202 STEVE WIGGINS - 18" INCH JOURNEY. From the album 'Steve Wiggins', Sparrow, 1991.

A brilliant lyric from a fine new acoustic rock talent from Memphis. He didn't hit solo but now fronts the band Big Tent Revival of whom all manner of big things are predicted. Steve's solo sojourn produced this gem. Over a thudding, functional blues-rock groove Steve lays bare one of Western man's great dilemmas, the problem of confusing what we receive with our minds with that which takes up eternal residence in our hearts. That eighteen-inch journey is crucial for all of us.

203 JOHN DICKSON - MARAN00KA. From the album Maranooka . Heartland, 1993.

Judging from the wealth of top grade artists presented on the recent 'Harvest Of The Heartland' compilation, Australia is bristling with artists with the talent to impact the world Christian music market if only the nationalistic parochialism within Christian record companies (see page 42) can be broken down. For proof of the quality of Australian CCM I would refer everyone to John Dickson's marvellous album and particularly this classic. From the moment it opens with a didgeridoo it demands attention as John intones a semi-narrative song about the life of hero-of-the-faith Daniel Matthews. "Maranooka" is aboriginal for "friend" and the name given to Rev Matthews by the people he served as he gave of his energy, land, family and health in the service of the gospel. Haunting, inspiring Aussie rock by a consummate singer/songwriter.

204 THE CALL - FOR LOVE. From the album 'Let The Day Begin', MCA,

A gem that The Call/Michael Been's greatest aficionado James Lewis brought to my attention. A mystical song about meeting a vision of Jesus in the desert. "He just smiled and said it's all worth it/He did it all for a chance to die." Nagging guitar and harmonica hook with Harry Dean Stanton playing the harp.

205 ALTAR BOYS - FINAL HOUR. From the album 'Gut Level Music', Frontline, 1986.

Cathartic, surging rock - truly gut level music which demands to be played as loud as your ears (and your neighbours) can stand. The song, about Christ in the garden of Gethsemane, is a gem.

206 LARRY BRYANT - SHOPPING LIST. From the album The Artist'. Light, 1986

A song that has attracted several CCM covers down the years but, as usual, the songwriter's original is best. A catchy, almost twee pop-dittie is arrested from anonymity by a lyric, which is the definitive exposé of the rampant materialism prevalent in some parts of America's church with a prayer quickly developing into a "shopping list" of things (new car, new hifi, new...etc, etc) that this deluded believer wants. Black, black humour and a song with volumes to speak to materialistic Christians everywhere.

207 WORLD WIDE MESSAGE TRIBE -ALLELUIA. From the album 'Dance Planet', N-Soul, 1994.

The moment that synth bass hits into overdrive all hope of coming off the dance floor in anything other than a panting, perspiring, joyful wreck is for me gone. Heavyfoot's tongue-twisting rap and that phlegmy, rasping chorus make this, for me, the definitive house praise track. In the relatively young history of sanctified dance, classics are already coming through.

208 BRIDE - HIRED GUN. From the album 'Kinetic Faith', Pure Metal.

Amazingly the band were later to diss this album in interviews. Can't think why as it's a gem full of bluesy sensibilities and serious Guns 'n' Roses' feel. It has what secular critics call "sass" and this cut has lyrics with a twist.

209 BILL MEDLEY - LOVE'S THE P0WER. From the album Going mm Home', Essential, 1993.

Being sufficiently ancient and sufficiently into R&B to be a fan of Bill Medley's voice years BEFORE "You Lost That Lovin' Feeling'" (I bought the Righteous Brothers' "Little Latin Lupe Lu"...but I digress) I was thrilled at the news that the original blue-eyed soulman had found faith then disappointed when I heard the resultant album. Maybe I was expecting too much, maybe I was hoping they'd get Phil Spector out of retirement to produce it or maybe I was simply forgetting that years, and the Vegas cabaret circuit, are bound to take their toll. It took numerous radio plays by that dynamic find-the-hot-track specialist and Cross Rhythms producer Jonathan Bellamy to convince me that this was indeed a true diamond nestling in a bed of rubble. That gritty, seeringly soulful voice, righteous sisters and a great hook, all make for a grow-on-you cut.

210 JON GIBSON - NATION IN NEED. From the album 'On The Run', Frontline, 1985.

A delightful track from the brilliant white R&B man. Although the album was derided at the time for being TOO close to Stevie Wonder (the similarity is at times uncanny) and being almost a secular album that had slipped into the Christian racks by mistake, there is in fact a clear Christian outlook here. Soulful and challenging music.