Reviewed by Paul Davis

Every year our church’s musicians run along to the treasurer to ask for a chitty to purchase the A-Z of Sunday morning worship otherwise known as ‘Spring Harvest 2001, 02, 03’ etc. For the subsequent few months new melodies are read and OHP’s printed off so that the congregation can join in these new gems gleaned from the ring-bound pages. But nationwide, we can give treasurers’ cheque books some time off this year as much of the material on this new album from Spring Harvest can be found in the crumbling pages of Sankey’s Sacred Songs & Solos! The yearly event is not known for its singing of ancient hymns but it is great to hear up-dated versions of these absolute classics. 10 of the 12 hymns are as familiar as fish and chips, and much more nutritious to the soul, “Amazing Grace”, “What A Friend We Have In Jesus”, “Love Divine” and “Thine Be The Glory” to name a few. The genre is added to with the inclusion of modern hymns “Send The Fire” and the powerful “In Christ Alone”. The songs are given a typical worship event style, with a lead vocalist and guitar-led rhythm – nothing revolutionary but easily listenable. The album is studio based but as a congregation also backs each song, it has a live feel to it. It is great to see this treasure trove of hymns being appreciated for the rich poetic heritage they are.

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