Reviewed by Paul Obrey

My earliest recollection of Fanny J Crosby is as a young boy, while trying to find the funniest writer's name in the church hymn book during boring sermons on a Sunday night. Strange how Ms Crosby always won. Born in 1820, she became blind as a child after a medical blunder, but this did not prevent her from writing 9,000 hymns and poems during her lifetime. Seen by many as one of the most inspiring of hymn writers, this is a collection of some of her most famous works. This alone should give credibility to the recording, but unfortunately it is let down by the way that it has been put together. Pieces have been collected from previous older recordings, many of which seem seriously dated. So you get Fanny's finest sung by Pat Boone, George Beverly Shea, Bill Gaither Trio, Wes Davis, Burl Ives and many others. It would have been interesting to include some more up-to-date arrangements. Full marks to Fanny J for her obvious God-inspired creativity, but apologies to the listener if you wanted something with a fresh musical approach.

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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