Reviewed by Tony Cummings

I've long felt that the division that has sprung up in evangelical church circles between performance orientated music (contemporary Christian) and participatory music (praise and worship) is largely unhelpful. Now, at last that division is beginning to be challenged. In the States artists as diverse as the Violet Burning and Scott Blackwell are challenging preconception that worship is something we do rather than an attitude of heart while in the UK rave praise groupings like the Late Late Service and Sal Solo's music reflecting the Catholic meditational tradition are helping us see how shallow is our understanding of praise and worship. I think these two fine, fine albums are important in blurring the contemporary/praise/meditational boundaries. 'At The Foot of The Cross' is the brainchild of writers, producers Steve Hindalong, Derald Daugherty and Greg Flesch. (Yep, the choir guys) With a bevy of the CCM cognoscente, including Phil Keaggy, the 77s' Mike Roe, Julie Miller (and her friend Victoria Williams) and Bob Bennett, we are led through a series of emotive and at times exquisite pieces, placed in three groupings, presumably for liturgical purposes: The Mystery, The Atonement and The Inspirational.

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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