Reviewed by Dickon Faux

A collection of traditional hymn tunes like "Simple Gifts" ("Lord Of The Dance") and "Amazing Grace", played on folk instruments like recorders, harmonicas and a hammer dulcimer. This album promises a lot, but for me falls sadly short of its potential. The music is technically well played but lacks soul. The tunes are not really arranged for the instruments but rather played to a formula and since this same formula is used throughout the album the music becomes bland and lacks variety. These are essentially simple tunes that need to be played with feeling and freedom to give the music spirit. For me, this album is the closest thing I have heard to Folk Muzak. I cannot believe that if a group of New England folk musicians were to get together, the music they would produce would sound like this. But if you're looking for some Christian wallpaper music you could do worse.

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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