Reviewed by Tim Walker

Hmm, this looks promising - "features handcrafted instruments: mandolin, acoustic guitar, dobro, high string guitar, autoharp and psaltery". Right, slap it in the CD player and it's off to Hillbilly Heaven for an evening! Actually, this isn't at all bad, as this sort of album goes. In my book there's nothing quite like a group of acoustic stringed instruments played well and that's exactly what you get here, along with sensitive use of bass guitar. The unfortunately-monikered Mr Hendricks and his trusty band of string-slappers (sadly anonymous) here render some evergreen hymns and choruses and should I wish to turn to a US-recorded praise instrumental album, my search will end here. But I would ask one favour: please, please could someone explain to our brothers 'n' sisters over there that songs like "This Is The Day" and "Give Me Oil In My Lamp" sound almost unbearably corny in 1994, particularly if you forgot to read the song list before your first listen? That'll teach me. . .

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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