Reviewed by Tony Cummings

I suspect Cross Rhythms doesn't have too many readers who, on espying this review, will immediately scrawl Thora Hird's Favourite Hymns' on their shopping list. Such is the stigma of simpering religiosity that surrounds the dear lady who is the public face of Christianity to TV's millians. Clearly, there is a sharp division between the Christian album buyer and the religious album buyer. But there is a definite market for albums packaged like this and anyone who can overcome their aversion to simpering folk religion will find Thora is nowhere to be heard on the album. Instead we're offered beautiful renditions of 20 hymns performed by the Regent Chamber Choir, the Collegiate Singers and the Choir Of King's College. Hymnal evergreens ("There Is A Green Hill", "When I Survey", etc) interspersed with one or two pop-ditties ("Morning Has Broken") all sung with harmonious beauty by the choirs. I loved the boy soprano lead on "The Lord's My Shepherd".

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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