Reviewed by Trevor Kirk

In CR77, when I reviewed the Sparrow compilation in the History Makers series of some of John Michael’s back catalogue, I called it a well chosen collection and a good place to start if you want to investigate the music of this underrated troubadour for the Lord. Now, I've been given the opportunity to wax lyrical about this album, which is over 68 minutes of the best of JMT’s songwriting from the last 25 years. However, instead of picking tracks from previously released albums, this is a brand new project, and it’s testimony to the enduring quality of the man’s songs that the material comes up fresh as a daisy. A quick look at the copious sleevenotes reveals that John Michael has had much assistance from the Brits on this, because the choir vocals are by the St Michael’s Singers of Coventry and the orchestra is the Philharmonia of London, and having singers and players of such ability means that the whole thing is a coherent and satisfying listening experience. Some of the songs are well known to me, especially two of my all-time JMT favourites, “Advent Suite” and “One Faith”, which John Michael recorded in 1995 with Michael Card for the album ‘Brother To Brother’. “Veni Sancte Spiritus (Come Holy Spirit)” is another classic that gets a new coat of paint, and all through the album, there’s plenty of John Michael’s trademark guitar and expressive and distinctive vocals. An essential album for all JMT fans and all who love haunting, wistful and well crafted acoustic music.

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