Reviewed by Steven Whitehead

The cover picture is "The Skating Minister" and this is as close to any Christian message that we get. This is an observation and not a complaint as there is, in my opinion, room for secular as well as sacred music in any collection and if you have any interest in British choral singing you really do need to make the acquaintance of Mike Brewer and Laudibus at the earliest opportunity. On this splendid CD we have a collection of Scottish poetry from Robert Burns to Alexander McCall Smith set to music by some of today's leading composers, most of it being premiere recordings. The songs that may be familiar are all worth hearing again: "My Heart's In The Highlands" with words by Burns and music by Arvo Part, "So Deep" and "The Gallant Weaver", both with words by Burns and music from James MacMillan and, in the case of "So Deep" using a melody by Burns, and "The Seagull", a haunting Skye folk song arranged by John Hearne. Of the new material, centre stage goes to Tom Cunningham who has set two sequences of poems by the popular novelist Alexander McCall Smith to appropriate music: "Scotland At Night" and "The Painter's Eye". There is much here to enjoy and the singing from Laudibus is, as ever, first class. We have often praised the choir's sacred singing and the same high standards are maintained in this secular collection.

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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