Reviewed by Brendan O'Regan

In a way there's too much to digest here. Yes, this compilation of vintage tracks from Integrity Music's long running series of Hosanna albums is great value. But you'd want to be just dipping in and out of this collection as you needed songs on various themes. The songs/recordings on this three CD package are mostly from the '70s and '80s, with songwriting from the likes of Don Moen, Graham Kendrick and Amy Grant with Michael W Smith. There are some 19th century songs like "'Crown Him With Many Crowns"', but the most recent song I could find, and actually one of the better tracks, was "Ancient Of Days" from 1992, apparently performed by Ron Kenoly. I say apparently because the sleevenotes are rather deficient. All the lyrics and composers are given which is great, but I had to go to iTunes to figure out who the performers/worship leaders are, assuming the listings there are accurate. I can have no complaints about the sentiments in the lyrics, it's all admirable praise and worship, and no doubt choir directors will have a field day. With many of the tracks live there is some vocal exhortation from worship leaders, but it's not overdone. However, too many of the songs are a bit too "Eurovision" in style for my liking - "Ah Lord God", though catchy, is a case in point. Songs like "Under The Shadow" feature some fine acapella singing to start with, but I think the introduction of electronic instruments during the song doesn't help. Some of the slower songs, like "Amazing Love", are more intimate and prayerful, while there are a few soulful numbers, for example "Let Me Be A Sacrifice". There's a particularly good sequence of prayerful songs on CD two (probably the best of the three), concluding with the gorgeous harmonies of "I Was Made To Praise You".

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