Reviewed by Tom Lennie

Hymnal projects have, of course, become increasingly popular over the past dozen years, a necessary appreciation of a wealth of theologically rich and lyrically poetic gems that were largely discarded by the charismatic movement in the 1970s and '80s, in favour of more modern, less formal and more intimate worship expressions. The present collection has both pros and cons. The main downside - a totally unnecessary and oft-repeated one (despite the pleadings of CR reviewers over many years) - is that the singers aren't specifically named (although the songwriters and arrangers are). Similarly, we're not told where these tunes were recorded, or from which album, if any, the tracks are picked. But to the pros - several lesser known hymns by Charles Wesley are included, with new arrangements by Chris Eaton and John Hartley, and sung by an unnamed female. Only a couple of the hymns here are recent compositions - Robert Critchley's "My Troubled Soul" and the highly popular "In Christ Alone" by Getty and Townend. Many others, I confess I hadn't heard before in any form, but that made them all the greater a treat, fine tracks both lyrically and in their contemporary arrangements. My favourite on this set has to be the stripped-down "I Hear The Saviour Say", written in the 1800s by Elvia M Hall and John T Grape, and sung tenderly by Aaron Keyes. A thoroughly enjoyable set of unexpected and varied gems.

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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