Reviewed by Tom Lennie

I find the cover, title and stated theme of this album rather off-putting and misleading. What's suggested is a somewhat faceless liturgical worship recording. What we get in fact is a collection of some cracking hymnal variations, old and new, recorded by some of the foremost musicians in Christian contemporary music. Each of the 12 tracks is assigned to a particular sacrament or celebration in the Church calendar, but in most cases this alignment is far from obvious. Who among us truly connects "Amazing Grace" with the baptism of Jesus, for example, or "Jesus, The Name High Over All" to New Year's Day? That little quibble aside, this is one corker of an album of striking hymns set to contemporary worship. We get songs from the likes of Beethoven, Wesley and Newton (some slightly adapted) right alongside others from the pens of Townend and Getty. And beauties they are, all. I love Brenton Brown's adaptation of the Christmas carol "Joyful, Joyful, We Adore You", Tim Hughes' take of "O Church Arise" and Mark Stevens' own little beauty, "We Crown You Now". Susan Ashton does a marvellous slow burner of the Tomlin adaption, "Amazing Grace", and it's also quite refreshing to hear Kendrick singing "Shine Jesus Shine" after many years' overkill of that worship classic. An excellent collection.

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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There’s a reason why the Christian church calendar has remained relatively untouched for centuries: it is because the annual process of celebrating seasons and sacraments is the ideal vehicle for nurturing and strengthening faith and community. From Advent, Christmas and Epiphany to Lent, Easter and Pentecost, not forgetting Ascension, Jesus’ baptism and more, these are the core signposts of faith for Christians the world over.

Sacraments and Seasons is a compilation that lines up some of the most powerful worship songs of the day alongside these key points of the Christian calendar. From Brenton Brown’s Joyful to Graham Kendrick’s Shine, Jesus, Shine, with songs from Tim Hughes, Lara Martin, Kristyn Getty and others, it’s a source of true goodness and power.