Reviewed by Tony Cummings

Any company that sets up a label as seriously tacky sounding as The Designer Music Group deserves all the help they can get but it's difficult to be charitable when they issue albums that fail to tell you who they're actually by. Perhaps it's argued that with albums such as this the perceived audience (Christian grannies? traditionalists with a taste for orchestral pomposity?) only need to see the roll call of songs set out in the sleeves (1. All Hail The Power Of Jesus' Name, 2. Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee, 3. When I Survey...look you don't really want me to list the other 47 do you?) to slam their tenners down on the Christian bookshop counter. The anonymous orchestra doing their 'inspirational' orchestral thing sound competent enough though only consider purchasing for Gran if (a) she likes her hymns given fussily embellished arrangements ala Steve Green, Ronn Huff, etc and (b) you don't have to be around too much when this inspirational muzak is playing.

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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