Reviewed by Tony Cummings

Plankton are Britain's longest running Christian record label and the outfit based in London's East End are to be congratulated for putting together such an intriguing compilation. 'What A Friend We Have' follows on from the charity single that Britain's Vivienne Neville and Liz Clarke and Nashville's Jackie Morris Bates and Mary-Kathryn released in February - a Celtic-cum-country-tinged version of the hymn penned in 1868 "What A Friend We Have In Jesus". Now their recording is a perfect bookend to this compilation of solo tracks. Vivienne's "Up Close And Personal" (one of two tracks previously unreleased) with its shuffling rhythm and mellifluous vocal is a delight while Mary-Kathryn's tracks, taken from her 'Dreams & Visions' and 'One Spirit' albums - both raved about in Cross Rhythms years past - all still sound great, particularly "Only One" which unexpectedly speeds up at the close to become a Celtic-tinged romp. Not everything works quite as well. Jackie's version of Morgan Cryar's classic ballad "What Sin?" isn't as good as the original and I found Vivienne Neville's "Angels" a little too close to those maudlin cod-country ballads so loved in the Emerald Isle. But with a generous playing time, these slight misjudgements don't stop this being a very attractive showcase of some fine female singers.

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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