Reviewed by Simon Carpenter

If your image of Salvation Army music is filled with brass bands, tambourines and rousing tunes think again. This is 60 minutes and 19 tracks of pure acapella vocal beauty - if you are used to the King's Singers' sound with the top part being sung by two male countertenors and no sopranos in sight. Those who investigate this gem will be richly rewarded. Volume 1 was issued a few years ago to "staggering" sales, according to Trevor Caffull, the producer, in the sleevenote. Here we have songs from the Salvationist hymnal sung like you've never heard them before with the King's high church harmonies bringing a whole new dimension to the words of faith. Beautiful though it all is, I would love to hear some of the original versions of the songs sometime, just to hear how they have been reinterpreted. The reason for this desire is because this CD has a melancholic air to it - not a mood traditionally associated with the Salvation Army. For what it is though, this CD cannot be faulted.

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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