Reviewed by Tony Cummings

Billy Graham may well be the greatest evangelist of the 20th century but only the most blinkered of supporters would claim Billy had made a major contribution to the world of music. As re-issues of '50s and '60s Crusade recordings have demonstrated, the work of Cliff Barrows and George Beverly Shea has dated hugely and many of the songs/hymns used at those groundbreaking Crusades that still retain their ability to stir the soul in fact come from an earlier era of hymnody and, anyway, only retain a loose connection with the good doctor. Still, thanks to the always dependable All Souls Orchestra conducted by Noel Tredinnick, this musical momento is not without some interest. This live album has all the usual suspects - "Just As I Am", "I'd Rather Have Jesus", "At The River" - arranged with theatrical flourish while guest Jonathan Veira is in fine voice. Can't say I appreciate a lumpen and, to me, wholly inappropriate "The King And I Overture" but the anthemic rendition of "How Great Thou Art" undoubtedly moved the throng packed into the Royal Albert Hall to pay tribute to the iconic evangelist.

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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