Reviewed by Liz Knowles

Pianist Anthony Burger describes himself as "a simple man with a majestic instrument and the power of God behind me.” Formerly a member of Southern gospel quartet The Kingsmen and with a lengthy discography to his name already, Burger’s ‘Masterpiece’ has been nominated for a Dove Award. So what of the music? There’s a touch of Liberace here, in the showmanship of the piano playing – sheer joy and exuberance is what bounces out of the speakers. (If "Swingin’ My Way Back Home" doesn’t get your toes tapping, get new feet!) The arrangements (by Burger and Lari Goss) are lush and match the grandeur of, well, a grand piano! There are some great juxtapositions – classical, popular, jazz, gospel – would you have thought of putting Debussy’s "Clair De Lune" and "Jesus Loves Me" together? And "Over The Rainbow" with Janet Paschal’s vocal rates a close second to Judy Garland in my book. I was going to suggest you get this for your Mum if she likes Richard Clayderman.

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