Reviewed by Brendan O'Regan

What amazing value! Veira's first four albums for as low as £11.97 (Cross Rhythms). And it's not a budget package stripped to the basics, as every CD has a full jewel case and full lyric booklet. I'm glad I listened to the 'Pilgrim' (2008) album first - it grabbed me straight away with the rockin' piano of "Rock Me" and never let up. Veira's effortlessly fine vocal style is common to all albums as is some virtuoso instrumental playing, especially on piano, sax and electric guitar. And what a wide variety of styles - blues, R&B, gospel, pop, funk and even a touch of Caribbean! Trying to distinguish between the albums isn't easy, but overall 'Pilgrim' and 'All That Matters' (2006) are livelier while 'Rhythms Of The Heart' (2003) and 'Life & Soul' (2001) are on the whole more mellow and laid-back. Song choices are excellent - not too much of the over exposed stuff, but a few traditional songs like "Wayfarin' Stranger" and a wide choice of contemporary songwriters including Bob Dylan ("Gotta Serve Somebody"), Van Morrison ("Have I Told You Lately"), Matt Redman ("The Father's Song"), Stuart Townend ("Pour Over Me"), Paul Field ("God Of The Moon And Stars"), Keith Green ("You Put This Love") and some Veira co-writes ("The Promise Of His Grace"). Veira does justice to them all and the tone is uplifting throughout. All in all, a value-for-money way of catching up on the classically trained singer's fine back catalogue.

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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