Reviewed by Tony Cummings

Randy’s last album produced a stone classic in “Three Wooden Crosses” and I have to report this album doesn’t contain a song of such epic proportions. And I’m not sure that the jaunty Western swing flavoured “He’s My Rock, My Sword, My Shield” was the best opener for this new set. But soon one of the greatest voices in country gets to work and the ‘30s Southern gospel gem “Farther Along” comes off beautifully. Throughout the accompaniments are deft and stripped won so the full majesty of the words of “How Great Thou Art”, “Blessed Assurance” and “Softly And Tenderly” are rescued from the maudlin melodrama that so often surround them. A particularly delight is the duet between Randy and John Anderson (the country man, not the rock star) on “Just A Closer Walk With Thee” while surprisingly both the David Ruis song “You Are Worthy Of My Praise” and the unexpected vocal contribution of Third Day’s Mac Powell on “Love Lifted Me” don’t sound at all out of place in such down home surroundings. Timeless country gospel from a great talent.

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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