Reviewed by Mike Rimmer

For someone of his talents, it has always amazed me that he isn't in the A List of most successful artists. He's been ripped off by record companies and treated with indifference by the industry, yet he is still capable of creating brilliant music. This time out he's created his own record label and maintained total artistic control. OK, so this isn't a new idea. How many hymns and worship song covers albums are there out on the shelves of your local Christian bookshop? Too many eh? Most of them pedestrian re-treads, bland arrangements, average vocals and yet the companies keep on making them because people keep buying them. Then along comes Jon Gibson, he takes a pile of familiar tunes and does unspeakably wonderful things to them, making the songs his own and offering them up as sweet blue-eyed soul worship. Imagine "I Love You Lord" with a funky little groove under it as if Stevie Wonder was worshipping? There's even a soulful "Great Is Thy Faithfulness" and two brilliant versions of that popular praise song "Give Thanks". The songs "Glory To His Name" and "What A Friend We Have In Jesus" is given the late night quiet storm treatment. Normally you'd hear me saying that we don't really need another album of popular praise songs but in the case of Jon Gibson, this is essential listening. Now if only everyone else could retire!

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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