Reviewed by Steven Whitehead

In March 2019 your eagle-eyed reviewer noticed that the world famous Huddersfield Choral Society had released Volume Two of 'The Hymns Album'. Having the deductive power of Sherlock Holmes (and the modesty of a politician) I realized that there might be a Volume One out there. I put my people on the case and, lo and behold, there is indeed such a release and as it is still in print here is my review. First, though, a word to the wise: this collection was issued in 2006 as a completely new album with no overlap with the famous 1985 hymns album under Owain Arwel Hughes which is now deleted. What we get are 25 traditional hymns, sung in rousing Huddersfield style and recorded on home turf at Huddersfield Town Hall. There are descants a-plenty arranged by Conductor Joseph Cullen and Organist Darius Battiwalla plus several tracks featuring brass arrangements, and members of the Huddersfield Choral Society Junior Choirs. Yes, this is old-school hymnody but it is done in style. All the words are clearly audible - and are printed in the CD booklet if you need them - and for many listeners this will be a happy journey back to the good old days when massed hymn singing was something we took for granted. This is not to say that there is no place for contemporary worship songs in the life of today's Church but we should also make space for the best of the old 'uns - and this collection includes many of them. The furthest back we go is "Christ Is Made The Sure Foundation" which is from a 7th century Latin text, here translated by J M Neale with music adapted from the Alleluias in Purcell's "O God, Thou art my God" given the tune name "Westminster Abbey". The most recent contribution is from David Evans (born 1957) with "Be Still, For The Presence Of The Lord" and the top contributors are the combined might of the Wesleys with "O For A Thousand Tongues To Sing" with words by Charles to the tune "Lyngham" by Thomas Jarman (1782-1862), "And Can It Be" again by Charles with the tune "Sagina" by Thomas Campbell (1777-1844), "Love Divine, All Loves Excelling" - words by C W, tune "Blaenwern" by W P Rowlands (1860-1937), and "O Thou Who Camest From Above" with S S Wesley writing the tune "Hereford" for more words by Charles. Personally I would say a dozen or so of the 25 hymns would make my own list of favourites but the others are all worth hearing and the performances are uniformly excellent. I look forward to hearing Volume Two when we reach 2019 and expect it will have some more good 'uns to enjoy.

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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