Reviewed by Steven Whitehead

Welcome to America. Or at least the Biblebelt. This album is as American as Moms apple pie - and just as predictable. Yes, it is wholesome enough but perhaps too sweet to take too much at one sitting. Thankfully it lasts for just 54 minutes. Although the title promises "32 Favorite Hymns and Gospel Songs" this is achieved only by compressing them down into 15 medleys. Some seemed to have been joined together by hitting them with a blunt instrument but others work very well. Indeed, some of the orchestration is imaginatively done and the playing and singing is of the highest standard. The content is excellent - these are genuine favourites -and everything is done as professionally as one would expect. My hesitation is that the Gospel seems to have been reduced to easy listening muzak. Where is the passion? The soul? The fire? Hence the review classification of Mor/Soft Pop rather than Hymnody. One you will hear playing in the background in busy Christian bookshops.

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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