Reviewed by Chris Tozer

Canadian country singer Kevin Mills unashamedly sings hymns, Southern gospel tunes and classic jazz standards on this, his debut eponymous album. The son of a travelling evangelist, for 15 years he opened for his father as a soloist at countless evangelistic meetings and tent missions, singing Sunday school songs and hymns acappella. In later years Kevin often accompanied his father on visits to prisons and drug rehab centres. From his website I learnt that he is a former apiary owner but these days he is an associate pastor in the prairie province of Manitoba. That would explain why much of this album is pure corn. Corn country classics like Kristoffersen's "Why Me Lord" rub shoulders with Satchmo's "What A Wonderful World" and the spiritual "Swing Low Sweet Chariot". However, the bulk of the album is dedicated to Southern gospel standards like "I'll Fly Away" and "Keep On The Sunny Side". All the songs featured on this album have been recorded a million times before Mills was even born, yet I have to admit that he brings fresh life to standards that I would otherwise be reluctant to listen to.

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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