Reviewed by Tony Cummings

Three ensembles, The Scottish Festival Choir conducted by Ian McCrorie, the Chester Cathedral Choir conducted by David Poulter and the Choir & Congregation of St Margaret's, Prestwich conducted by Andrew Maries offer 30 hymns and the renditions here, like the hymns themselves, are of mixed quality. At the best this two CD set offers lovely choral versions of beloved hymns like Martin Luther's "A Safe Stronghold". At worst you've got the organ drowning out the male chorus on part of James Montgomery's "Stand Up And Bless The Lord". And as already stated, not all the "favourite hymns" here stand up to close scrutiny. Charles H Gabriel's "Since Jesus Came Into My Heart" has a corny Victorian melody of teeth-grating jollity. But there ARE some classics here - Robert Lowry's "Nothing But The Blood Of Jesus" and Walter C Smith's "Immortal Invisible" for instance though the inclusion of Martin Nystom's 1980's worship song "As The Deer" makes one wonder how long before the works of Redman, Hughes and Smith are included on future compilations of hymnody.

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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