Reviewed by Stuart Blackburn

I am starting to wonder if this should be re-titled "Favorite Scams Of All." Allow me to explain: the last three albums by those singing pastors Phillips, Craig & Dean have been worship albums. All three have been readily available in the UK. This compilation draws five tracks from the first (2001), four tracks from the second (2003) and four from two earlier albums (1992, 1995). To confuse things further 'Favorite Songs Of All' was the title of a 1998 release that only has the '90s material in common. One can only assume that this collection has been hastily released to cash in on the popularity of the third and most recent of their worship series (2004). Surely the CCM buying public is getting fed up with the issuing of cobbled compilation albums that have little or no musical coherence. Worse is that the earlier material (eg, "Turn Up The Radio") can scarcely be described as worship but could easily be described as filler. Worship music, because of the nature of its use, soon becomes dated or tired. Technically there is nothing wrong with P, C & D's renditions of "The Heart Of Worship" or "Here I Am To Worship." It's just that they do nothing to enhance the original versions. If Sparrow want to re-issue and promote the back catalogue then why don't they just do it? "It's all about You, Jesus?" I think not.

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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