Reviewed by Chris Tozer

For the uninitiated, way back in the 1970s Russ Taff used to sing with the Imperials - a pop-orientated Southern gospel vocal band that have been going so long that they even worked with Elvis Presley! They are still on the road today - thanks to a steady stream of talented people who came and went - a bit like Blue Peter and the Drifters! Since going solo in 1981 Russ has successfully used his mega volume vocal chords to take his own brand of "white gospel" into uncharted waters where even the Imperials had feared to sail. Although lyrically he never strays far from the predictable themes of Southern gospel, some of his songs have a social concern borne out of personal experience - including "We Will Stand" which he wrote after an African American preacher was denied the liberty to preach in a white pastor's church. Taff has worked with artists from right across the CCM spectrum - including guitar maestro Phil Keaggy, Bill Gaither, Sandi Patti and Scotland's own Sheila Walsh. This album features superb re-recordings of songs that chronicle the many chapters of Taff's career thus far. Besides the aforesaid "We Will Stand" they include Grammy and Dove Award-winning material together with a brand new song, "They Call It Gospel Music" written by Russ with Gloria Gaither - a gem for Taff fans from Nashville to Newport Pagnell.

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