Reviewed by Tony Cummings

If someone ever gave out UK Christian Music Awards For Services To Country Gospel Music there could only be one winner. Paul Wheater has done magnificently, with no record company support, in building up a following for country gospel in Britain and now that he and his dear wife have established the Whitby Gospel Festival as Britain's premier event for country and Southern gospel music, his place in UK's Christian music history is assured. But what about Paul's own music? Well, it has to be said that Jim Reeves is Paul's HUGE influence so if you enjoy the mellow, easy listening country of the '60s music giant you'II enjoy Paul. On "How Great Thou Art" Paul sings 15 songs from the golden book of Christian nostalgia and if you long for golden oldies from the huge repertoire of Stuart Hamblen and Ira Stamphill mixed in with some well loved hymns, this will do nicely. It's a shame the sleeve is poor, the production is strictly budget and there are no sleeve credits, not even telling us who the nice sounding Southern gospel quartet are on some tracks (the Zionaires?). But these are minor quibbles. People will buy this (and already have, it's a 1999 release) for the strength of Paul's warm, rich voice, which never falters as it glides effortlessly through country music hymnody.

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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