Reviewed by Tom Lennie

It looks like a little hard-back book, but opens up as a double-CD with partitioning booklet containing a seven-page biography and lyrics to all 27 songs featured herein. While issued as a celebration of the 300th anniversary of Wesley's birth, this is in fact a smart repackage of two recordings released separately a number of years ago as part of the Hymn Makers series. Charles Wesley is perhaps the Master of British hymnwriters, both in quantity of output - a staggering 6,500 compositions - as well as quality of content. Certainly this is a masterful collection, rendered by St Michael's Singers in Coventry Cathedral, and conducted by Paul Leddington Wright - though I got all that info from the former sleevenotes - none of these elementary details are disclosed on the new version despite the lavish packaging. That oversight apart, there are some great songs here, though I was surprised by how many I wasn't already familiar with. The lyrics are full of spiritual meaning, the theology related is never sloppy (unlike some modern songs) and they rhyme well and flow rhythmically (ditto). This collection is a real treasure trove of classic hymns and a legacy that will be appreciated by all lovers of hymnody.

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