Reviewed by Chris Tozer

Bearing in mind the fact that the BBC Radio 4’s Daily Service is, by a long chalk, the world’s longest running programme, this album ought to be guaranteed a healthy circulation. Admittedly, the title is somewhat misleading but I guess a monika like ‘The Nation’s 21st – 40th Favourite Hymns’ doesn’t exactly trip of the tongue, though that’s precisely what this CD provides. Herein you will find a healthy balance of all things hymnodic – spanning both time and churchmanship. The middle ages are represented by “Come Down O Love Divine” and “My Song Is Love Unknown”. The 18th century hymns include “Amazing Grace” and Wesley’s “O Thou Who Camest From Above”. Victorian gems include “O Jesus I Have Promised” and dear old “Onward Christian Soldiers”. As if to refute the impression that the 20th century was largely bereft of decent hymns the album includes “Lord Of All Hopefulness” and Eleanor Farjeon’s “Morning Has Broken”. Modern church standards include Graham Kendrick’s timeless “Servant King” and, on the same theme, though surely not nearly so well known, “Brother Sister Let Me Serve You”. There’s also something here to please all sections of the Church – including the Catholic Cardinal Newman’s “Praise To The Holiest In The Height” and several evangelistic crusade regulars – including “To God Be The Glory” and “Just As I Am”. The hymns have be well arranged by Christopher Norton and delivered crisply and clearly - as you would expect from the nation’s longest running radio house band.

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