To celebrate John Rutter's 60th birthday his record label have repackaged and reissued a considerable amount of his back catalogue. This CD covers his sacred repertoire but without including anything from his popular 'Requiem' or any Christmas music. Seven tracks are duplicated from the 2004 compilation 'Be Thou My Vision', namely 'All Things Bright And Beautiful', 'O Clap Your Hands', 'A Gaelic Blessing', 'For The Beauty Of The Earth', 'God Be In My Head', 'A Prayer Of Saint Patrick' and 'The Lord Bless You And Keep You'. We get six more old pieces, including the three movements of 'Gloria' with the Philip Jones Brass Ensemble blowing up a storm and four new ones from May 2005: 'Cantate Domino', 'Blessed Are All They That Fear The Lord', 'Hymn To The Creator Of Light' and 'Arise, Shine'. As ever the Cambridge Singers are in excellent voice. Rutter collectors will want to hear the new material, those with a passing interest in his work will need to see how much of this material is duplicated elsewhere in their collection, newcomers to Rutter will find this a good place to start.

Cross Rhythms