Reviewed by Tony Cummings

With such a prepostorously overblown title the 20 tracks compiled here are bound to be given the closest scrutiny. And sure enough, one quickly identifies lots of anomolies - there's nothing pre-war here, nothing by any of the classic quartets of the '50s while to represent Shirly Caesar with the maudlin country song "No Charge" does a disservice to both the great gospel matriarch and the word "gospel". Then we have the shoddy packaging and lack of sleevenotes. But musically, there's still some great stuff, Al Green righteously leading us through "Precious Lord", Aretha Franklin doing likewise with "Amazing Grace", James Cleveland reminding us his "Peace Be Still" was the title track for gospel's first million selling album, and best of all, a welcome arrival onto CD for the early '70s rural gospel smash "Rough Side Of The Mountain" by Rev F C Barnes and Rev Janice Brown. Some timeless music here. Shame about the budget line presentation.

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