Sounds of Worship - Nashville Worship Sessions

Published Wednesday 22nd February 2006
Sounds of Worship - Nashville Worship Sessions
Sounds of Worship - Nashville Worship Sessions

STYLE: Pop
RATING 7 7 7 7 7 7 7
OUR PRODUCT CODE: 14704-10397
LABEL: Kingsway KMCD2636
FORMAT: CD Album
ITEMS: 3
RELEASE DATE: 2005-09-23
RRP: £16.99

Reviewed by Phil Thomson

Definitely something for everyone here. You'll know the names: Richards, Houston, Drain, Redman, Townend, Marks, Oakley - an endless, value-for-money 3-CD pick and mix approach to worship compilation featuring the best of the singer/songwriter community - and, in a sign of the times, only a single co-write by Graham Kendrick. I did wonder if the title is a bit of a ruse, stretching credibility. Nashville? After all, the tag implies a certain genre, that distinctive, contemporary country edge known the world over. The 'Nashville' bit has a "so what" ring to it. These days, it is less likely that the location of the recording has a significant influence on the music, but the Kingsway team have at least laced this selection with a good number of treatments which fit. Perhaps it is an excuse to package up some of the same old latter-day standards and it would be surprising to get consistency over 50 songs. Certain "standards" might have been left alone; a shuffling "How Long?" (Townend) misses it for me but then, within a track or two, the play list redeems itself with a perfectly wonderful "I Took My Burden To The Crossroads (Hurricane)" showing off Brian Houston' excellent writing. There are irritating dips, such as the awkward, soft rock vamp of Tim Hughes "Jesus You Alone" and a very tiresome Hartley/Sadler number "You Are All I Ever Longed For (The Way It Is)"; also, a very dodgy, vocally-adjusted Oakley title "All Around The World". Forgivable lapses, yet never a hint of fast forward. And of course, some are completely worth waiting for. Highlights? On CD1 "When The Ones You Love And Trust (Where You See Bones)" (Houston); CD2 perhaps "There Is A Higher Throne" (Keith and Kristyn Getty); and on CD3, Robin Mark's "Every Day". You won't be disappointed.

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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