Reviewed by Tony Cummings

Down the years Phil Keaggy has inundated us with albums and though there remains a clique for whom Phil is still the "greatest guitarist in the world" and still remain fascinated by all things Keaggy, younger CD buyers approaching this album might wonder what all the fuss was about. For turning to a hymnal to record instrumental renditions of timeless songs of faith might sound like a project perilously close to those "Christian muzak" instrumental albums you hear playing in Christian bookshops. But Phil is no ordinary musician and seemingly every guitar styling known to man - from flying fretwork rock, to sinuous neo-jazz, to delicate classical stylings - is here represented as, with stunning virtuosity, Phil plays his way through "Be Still My Soul", "Jerusalem", "Simple Gifts" (we know it as "Lord Of The Dance"), "Abide With Me" and some other less familiar ones. 'Hymnsongs' is possibly a little too eclectic in approach to work as a one-sitting listening experience but few can argue the veteran's amazing technique showcased here.

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