Reviewed by Dickon Faux

"You can't please all the people all the time" tends to be the way I view compilations. Do the good tracks outweigh the bad? Consequently I wasn't over enthusiastic about a compilation compiled to promote the Greenbelt Festival. "Still" I thought, "It's all in a good cause." I was in for a surprise! This 21-song collection has grown out of the Greenbelt venue "The River" which caters for "righteous roots" music. It aims to document the Christian state of the art in "folk, country, jazz, gospel, skiffle etc." The styles range from the footstomping Famous Potatoes and Sam Hill to the quiet of Lies Damned Lies or the indomitable Mr Hewitt. The lyrics too are varied from the slightly frivolous "Senator's Daughter" (Fat And Frantic) to the gospel message of "Satisfied" and the dark brooding of Billy Penn's Brother's "O Danny Boy." Messrs. Cockburn and Stonehill's contributions enhance but do not dominate, so with two great African contributions and a Flying Pickets-style acappella number this collection certainly has variety and quality.

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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