Gospel Collection Volume Two
James Morrison

Now this is how gospel music should sound - with trumpet, trombone, flugelhorn, euphonium, tuba, tenor horn, cornet, soprano saxophone, piano, keyboards and wonderful backing vocals and lots and lots of jazz.

The songs on it are "Nobody Knows the Trouble I've Seen", "The Church's One Foundation", "To God Be The Glory", "Abide With Me", "Precious Lord", "Near the Cross", "A Quiet Place", "I don't Know Why Jesus Loved Me", "Oh Happy Day", "How Great Thou Art", "Glory, Glory Hallelujah", "Psalm 23" and "Grace," some of them a little different to how you may have heard sung in church.

They are all have groove, especially "Nobody Knows the Trouble I've Seen", which I've discovered is the perfect accompaniment to writing an essay, filling in tax forms or other depressing tasks. It's also pretty good for writing reviews to - a bit distracting though; sometimes I have to get up and dance, or at least bounce around in my seat.

James Morrison grew up with gospel music and has been singing and playing in churches since the '70s. He was given his first instrument, at 7, formed his first band at 9 and he was playing professionally in nightclubs at 13. At 16 he performed at the Monterey Jazz Festival in America. He has also played with jazz greats. Dizzy Gillespie, Cab Calloway, Woody Shaw, Red Rodney, George Benson, Ray Charles, B.B. King, Ray Brown and Wynton Marsalis.

Buy this for your minister or choir leader as a Christmas present.

Katy Gerner