Title: Hymns From Pentecostal Tabernacle

Artiste: The Pentocostal Tabernacle Choir

Rating: 4-and-a-half stars out of 5

It is as sure as salvation. A mass choir renowned for its performances recording live on its home ground, delivering standards with short burst of preaching in between, supported by a band.

That Hymns From Pentecostal Tabernacle would be a stand-out recording is as sure as the salvation the faithful believe in. Which is not to say that they have played it safe, as standards and well-known songs can be the most tricky to take on, as the slightest error will be picked up (there is a reason why they are standards, after all) and amplified.

And there is ample room for arrangement in the chorale format, which those responsible take very good advantage of.

Evolution of the music

I will leave it to the nit-pickers to do what they do best - nit-pick. From the spoken introduction, over an organ, a woman stating, "While the music has evolved over the years, there are those songs whose messages remain untouched and are as powerful today as the story from which they emanate. To this live recording of hymns and songs from Pentecostal Tabernacle, Wildman Street, Kingston, Jamaica. Make a joyful noise unto the Lord and let us shout unto God with the voice of triumph", is a joyous musical journey into unbridled, well-arranged faith.

OK, so some of the lead voices are not the most spectacular (which is not to say they are sub-standard) while some are superb. But that is the beauty of the CD; participation is key and, no matter the proficiency of the lead singer at any particular moment, the conviction is clear.

And that level of proficiency ranges from just above average to excellent; it never goes into awful.

Slip this CD into your player and you will see all of 26 tracks instead of the 18 listed, as the introduction and preaching (well, more like delivering words of wisdom appropriate to the song) are there as well. Rev John-Mark Bennett is listed as the host pastor and 'with Rev W.S. Stewart' on the front. So, presumably, it is Stewart's picture on the cover, along with a shot of the choir and the tabernacle itself.

The variation is good enough, with most of the songs on the slower side (including the opening song, Oh How I Love Jesus) with some slighter faster songs (among them, No Not One) and a couple hand-clapping, foot-stomping, soul-stirring numbers, such as, When Morning Comes.

The one let-down is the design of the cover, as the pictures are not as clear as they should be and the design itself is not the best.