Reviewed by Tony Cummings

Being a particular fan of the panpipes and recognising their potential in devotional music (I thoroughly recommend the album by Simeon Wood and John Gerighty) I looked forward to an album that offered "22 golden hymns of faith -featuring the panpipes". But I found the orchestrations by Don Marsh (who has been turning out albums of string-drenched religious music) so closely resembling the music they put on to accompany the TVs test card, that the beauty of these hymns, "It Is Well With My Soul", "Jesus Lover Of My Soul" is emasculated in muzak production values. I defy anyone to sit through this without nodding off.

Also reviewed in CR60:
If you have been a Christian many years or attended a fairly traditional church for a long period then the hymns on this CD will be familiar to you without a doubt. Examples are "Like A River Glorious", "Rock Of Ages" and "For The Beauty Of The Earth" to name but a few. The hymns are played by a full orchestra and organised into seven medleys with panpipes being the featured solo instrument. The medleys seem to run the tunes together and it is sometimes difficult to work out when one tune has ended and another has begun. However, lyrics are printed on the inlay sheet which is good, as is the quality of the recording, but with only just over 34 minutes of actual music not a great deal for your money. If the idea of hymns played by panpipes with a lush orchestra appeals, this might be worth investigating. The inlay says panpipes are mainly from Eastern Europe but South Americans may disagree. Your favourite auntie might like this for a Christmas present but with only half an hour of music available alternatives should be examined as well.
6
Chris Webb

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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