Reviewed by Tony Cummings

When I first heard about this project I was momentarily fearful that Nashville execs were going to force the gospel matriarch to sing Victorian era hymns with the Don Marsh Orchestra or someone providing lush, easy listening accompaniments. I needn't have worried. These hymns are done with all the feel of black church, even though it is a studio recording, and are all the timeless oldies ("Come Ye Disconsolate", "Amazing Grace", "There Is Power In The Blood") that suit Shirley's earthily declamatory style. There's a publicity grabbing duet with Destiny Child's Michelle Williams on "Steal Away" to sell the project and the whole effect is an album that could have been recorded 20 years ago. If it had been, we'd still be listening to it.

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