Reviewed by David Faulkner

Most people would call them a choir, but the traditional Salvation Army name is "songsters". There are 40 voices in this particular ensemble. Although the "backing band" includes brass instruments, they are not prominent in many arrangements. Piano, bass and percussion anchor the instrumentation. The repertoire is varied. Some of it is conventional Sally Army gospel material. There are also the expected medleys - "Holy Is He" is based partly on Sibelius' "Finlandia", Mendelssohn's melody for "Hark The Herald Angels Sing" and J B Dykes' tune Nicaea that is used for "Holy, Holy, Holy". Strangely, none of these composers is credited. Martin Luther is, however, and the Songsters provide a stirring reading of "A Mighty Fortress". Classical styles come to the fore, too, in an interpretation of Bruckner's "Locus Iste". Less successful are the forays into spirituals such as "Wade In The Water". Here, the white western precision of the voices removes the inherent passion, at least for this reviewer. Throughout, the tracks are heavy on reverb, doubtless a result of the recording being made in the citadel, rather than a studio. All in all, some highly talented singers but the programme is a mixed bag.

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