Reviewed by Dave Brassington

This budget-price compilation is for those who have a taste for vintage Southern gospel when production values were simple and the whole song would hinge on the marriage between melody and uplifting lyrics and lashings of vocal harmony. The opener is the classic "Because He Lives" performed by the Blackwood Brothers followed by the song "He Touched Me" that propelled Southern gospel to new heights when Elvis recorded the Bill Gaither-penned classic. The rendition by the legendary Hovie Lister and the Statesmen is stirring. "The Uncloudy Day" is another favourite, here performed by the Masters V. An older incarnation of the very successful country music group the Oak Ridge Boys sing "Lead Me To Calvary". Other famous names include the Lefevres, the Speers and the great J D Sumner & The Stamps, who sang with Elvis for some years; here they sing "I Must Tell Jesus". The only track I didn't enjoy was an instrumental by The Gospel Brass, as to my ears the fusion of Herb Alpert-style brass and bluegrass-style banjo grated. There is some good stuff here if older Southern gospel classics appeal to you, though it has to be said that considering the historic importance of some of these songs, they could have been packaged with considerably more care.

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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