Reviewed by Dancin' Dave Derbyshire

This DVD is a recording of a gospel concert that includes some of the greatest names in gospel music at Hollywood's First Presbyterian Church. It is hosted by none other than Paul Simon. Yes, that's right, Paul Simon of Simon & Garfunkel fame. The Jewish pop star is a great fan of the genre and has long championed gospel (he once gave Jessy Dixon his mass audience break and also "borrowed" some gospel song imagery to pen "Bridge Over Troubled Waters"). Paul displays a wealth of knowledge of how so many pop and R&B singers, himself included, have been influenced by the various strands of gospel music. The line up here is pretty mind blowing including country music's The Oak Ridge Boys, soul star Luther Vandross, Jennifer Holliday and crossover gospel pioneer Andrae Crouch performing such hits as "Can't Nobody Do Me Like Jesus", "Oh Happy Day" and "A Change is Gonna Come". For aficionados of this genre this is a must see. That said, it was filmed in 1987 and the quality of the recording in not up to today's standards, the big hair and fashions are somewhat distracting and I can't help think that some of the performers appear a little like caricatures of themselves. But maybe this is all probably due to the date of this recording.

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.

Interested in reviewing music? Find out more here.