Reviewed by Tom Lennie

Stoneleigh is of course, the UK's largest single-site Bible week, this year being the biggest ever with over 25,000 people attending. As we've come to expect from Stoneleigh's output, this album is an infectious and passionate expression of praise, fronted by worship leaders Kate Simmonds, Tommy Stanley and Stuart Townend, and backed by a strong and energetic worship band. There are 14 tracks featuring no fewer than 13 respected songwriters from far and wide. No song is more than 10 years old, and most are very recent, with five brand new compositions. Thus the now almost standard pattern in live worship albums of including at least one traditional hymn is dropped (this year anyway), and instead several modern hymns are introduced. Special amongst these are "Awake Awake 0 Zion (Our God Reigns)" featuring Lou Fellingham on lead vocals, and Stuart Townend's "From The Squalor Of A Borrowed Stable (lmmanuel)", surely destined to become an anthemic Church classic. The only problem with the delightful "Wonderful Grace" is that at two mins 39 sees it's far too short for my liking. The songs performed are as varied as the splashes of colour on the album cover, ranging from two Hillsongs favourites to a Matt Redman composition to a funky remix of the Don Potter warfare anthem "Our God Is Holy". Even more upbeat are the gutsy versions of Paul Oakley's "There Is A Voice {Friend Of Jesus)" and Brenton Brown's "Over All The Earth {Lord Reign In Me)", not capturing the poignancy of the Vineyard UK original, but a fine moment of worship nonetheless. With a truly worshipful atmosphere throughout this hour-long feast, 'Stoneleigh Live' is set to remain a popular favourite and to retain a rightful place as a top worship resource for local con­gregations.

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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