Reviewed by Steven Whitehead

First the excitement as another recycled jiffy bag with a Plymouth postmark pops through the letter box. What will it be? Then the surprise as a Ron Kenoly compilation is revealed. Surely this is old news. Hasn't someone already reviewed this'.' I mean, it's sold more than a few units and topped the relevant charts. Is there anyone out there who didn't know about this album? For the record 'High Places' hasn't been reviewed in Cross Rhythms (just think how many more would have been sold, if it had). So let's do it. First some facts: 15 tracks coming in at over. 75 minutes ensures quantity. What about quality? Seems like most of the obvious tracks are present ("Lift Him Up", "Sing Out". "God Is Able", "Jesus Is Alive"... and I hope your favourites are here too). As well as being a 'Best Of compilation, this is also a live album so if you already own some of Dr Kenoly's previous releases you haven't got these versions. And if you don't have a Kenoly in your collection this would be a good place to start. I have classified it as gospel but one could put up an equal case for calling it pop if you prefer. It's live praise and worship with an R&B edge to it. Some top musicians hit the groove, three choirs and Crystal Lewis join Big Ron and they all sing up a storm. Very good, perhaps even indispensable depending on how many Ron Kenoly records are already in your collection.

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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