Reviewed by Ian Hayter

Britain's Catholic singer Marilla Ness has, down the years, found unprecedented popularity with her country-tinged, soft pop albums of worship and reflection. This double CD pulls together 12 songs culled from some of those albums, linked by spoken commentary and meditations on the lives of the saints. If you're already a fan of Marilla, you'll be familiar with the songs and with her clear, strong voice, as well the kind of easy-listening arrangements that characterise her sung albums. But the spoken words on this album, with a background wash of synth strings, will help set the songs in context as Marilla recounts potted histories of a variety of saints from St Francis of Assisi to Solanus Casey. Some churchgoers will no doubt find this inspirational, but in truth 'The Saints' is rather an acquired taste.

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.

Interested in reviewing music? Find out more here.