Reviewed by Allan Clare

After some years hiatus, the original worship series "Praise" returns with Volume 16! Despite the naff cover and ominous promise that this will make "...every home, car and office a sanctuary." (?!). I enjoyed this Maranatha! release. It doesn't start well - a great song ("Come As You Are") is ruined by a terribly lazy vocal and an over-strident choir - but it soon settles into a peaceful, relaxing hour of old (well. 1970s) and new songs and choruses. The album flows without breaks between each song and there are several instrumental pieces which are a great aid to meditation. Throughout the musicianship is excellent with a "real" sound coming across but. of course, this is not Soul Survivor territory - the arrangements are very laid back and middle of the road. Not one for your car stereo but, as the CD says, "perfect for your private time of worship." I'll end with these glorious words from the track "Something Beautiful": "Something beautiful, something good/All my confusion he understood/All I had to offer him was brokenness and strife/But he made something beautiful of my life."

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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