Reviewed by Tony Cummings

For some the 'Hosanna Music formula' is now in real need of overhaul. In case you're new to the ways of America's praise and worship industry let me explain the elements of the Hosanna sound. Take a worship leader (usually with an international reputation though only sometimes in the Hosanna! series have the front men been considered important enough to put their name on the front sleeve). This worship leader will speak, pray, exhort and some-more-than-others sing, as he heads up a choir of smooth, easy listening voices with a band that is nicely recorded and tightly rehearsed but whose rhythmic dexterity never gets TOO funky for the hallowed ground of charismatic praise mass marketing. The albums are then skilfully marketed, sell by the bushel and irritate rad rockers and alternative worshippers and bless and inspire hundreds of thousands. Into this scenario steps Britain's John Perry. Can this worship leader bring freshness and zest to Hosanna's stifling formulae? At first it seems not. The same smooth production values, the same compositional competence (with producer, keyboards, bass and vocalist Don Harris getting the lion's share of the songs) and our lad John almost sounding American in his prayers and Scripture exhortations. But gradually song after song seeps through and registers with heart and mind. The first song to touch me was the jaunty "We'll Be Faithful" then Nancy Goudie's "I Love To Be With You" (a haunting duet with Kelly Willard) and, by the fifth play the CD ceased to be a reviewer's chore but a source of blessing and several others connected. Is that to do with Don's songwriting craft? Has the Spirit given 'In Christ Alone' that prophetic edge? Both I feel. "In Christ Alone' overcomes Hosanna/lntegrity's self-imposed formulaic limitations to touch the spirit.

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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