Reviewed by Phil Thomson

Who'd have thought it? A three CD box set compilation of worship recordings many of which will already be well known to Cross Rhythms readers becomes one of the biggest selling Christian music albums in the UK, advertised on TV and available in your local Tescos. It's already done 70,000 sales and deserves every one of them. Deftly compiled, it avoids most of the cheesy renditions which have blighted so many worship compilations and instead offers fine cuts from people like (deep breath) Rebecca St James, Tim Hughes, Stuart Townend, Kathryn Scott, Sonicflood, Delirious?, Darlene Zschech, Matt Redman, Brian Doerksen, Robin Mark, Lara Martin, Brenton Brown and more. Occasionally, the recorded rendition of a song doesn't match up to the quality of the composition (Graham Kendrick's "Shine Jesus Shine" for instance) but usually the compilers have settled on excellent contemporary arrangements - for instance, "To Be In Your Presence" sung with such sensitivity by Kate Miner rather than the interpretation by its writer Noel Richards - or "Colours Of Day (Light Up The Fire)" given a lightness of touch by Derri Daugherty - we're so used to Parchment's folky 1974 version. The fact is, we can be awakened from the over-exposure, sometimes even the banality of so many praise offerings by a moment when God's presence is felt through a song - and in this release, it comes on in waves. Given the market it seeks, I feel I ought to challenge the tacky title claim, since "best" worship really should be tested against other genres. Yet I can't help but applaud the distribution coup of having this three-album box jumping off the chart shelves in HMV, Virgin, Woolworths and the likes of good old Amazon as well as Christian bookshops. Now that IS the best bit and well worthy of our support. 

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.

This track data is supplied by the Cross Rhythms CD/DVD review library. Please note that CD tracks may vary according to release region or product version.