Reviewed by Tim Holden

Susan Ashton was one of the bigger names in Christian music in the 1990s. Her six solo albums were followed by a mainstream record contract with Capitol Records which resulted in her 1999 album, 'Closer' which was the last solo album released. The 'Ultimate Collection' is a two CD offering of the best tracks from those six Sparrow albums. Some of the best pop producers in Christendom are represented here and they get the best out of Susan's slightly edgy country vocals. Fans of Shania Twain and Sheryl Crow would not feel out of place here. From the upbeat opener "Here In My Heart" through the more laid back ballads of "No One Knows My Heart" and "Hide Or Seek" the quality is never let down and there is enough variation in style to keep interest going. None of the tracks sound dated and most will stand comparison with the best of the current crop of CCM artists coming out of Nashville. The 25 tracks spread over the two discs make this excellent value for money. It's a good starting place for those wanting some country-edged pop and also those wanting to update their collection and get the best bits in one place.

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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