Reviewed by Ronnie Payne

There are two good reasons you should rush out and buy this album. First of all the profits from its sale are going to support a worthy Christian charity - Mercy Ministries of America - which is transforming the lives of troubled young women, unmarried mothers and their children in Nashville and Monroe, Louisiana; providing them with accommodation, training and an experience of the love of God. The second reason is that in doing so you will be treating yourself to some of the finest female voices in CCM including newcomers Michelle Tumes and Jill Phillips, as well as established artists such as Point Of Grace, Christine Dente and the incomparable Mrs Vince Gill (aka Amy Grant). Indeed it is to the credit of producers Jeff and Gayla Borders that they managed to assemble such an illustrious bevy of singers. The drafting in of country star Martina McBride and pop legend Donna Summer to strengthen the home side was also a notable coup and hopefully a goodly sum will be raised. Unfortunately that's where the plaudits end for the album never quite lives up to its star billing. The bright spots are provided by the rather wonderful Kim Hill (best remembered in these parts for her brilliant 1989 release Talk About Life.') with a harmonica-driven rocker "New Eyes"; and Amy Grant showing she can still deliver the goods on "Irresistible Love". The remainder is very patchy and the girls are let down by some forgettable, dare I say, vapid, songwriting and maudlin arrangements straight out of the '80s, which all leaves you wishing our heroines had been allowed to contribute more of their own material. Still, it's all for charity isn't it.

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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