Amy Grant - Rock Of Ages...Hymns & Faith

Reviewed by Tony Cummings

For many Amy is still the golden voice of CCM and with her last hymns project, 2002's 'Legacy. Hymns & Faith', winning her a gold disc clearly there are many people out there enjoying that most memorable of pop voices when put to work on selections from America's favourite hymnals. This, Amy's 20th release in a 28-year recording career, shows that she has lost none of her versatility. The opener, "Anywhere With Jesus", with it's footstomping arrangement, is nothing other than old-time country while elsewhere the singer with choir in tow takes the beautiful hymn "Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus" and takes it heavenward. Also outstanding are the piano and strings arrangement of the medley "God Moves In A Mysterious Way" and "The Lord Is In His Holy Temple" while the duet with her country star husband Vince Gill on the evergreen "Rock Of Ages" is also moving. Pride of place on the project goes to a new version of "El Shaddai", the wistfully beautiful Michael Card song which appeared on Grant's breakthrough album of 1982 'Age To Age'. Overall, what this album shows is why many of these songs are still being sung in churches and still enriching lives.