Artist: George Beverly Shea
Project Title: The Ultimate Collection
Label: Word Music
Producer: Word Music
Reviewed By: Scott Evans

There are certain names that just come to mind when you start thinking about the great voices in Gospel Music history.  Certainly, one of the names on that list would be George Beverly Shea.  We recently received a project for review titled “The Ultimate Collection.”  This project includes twenty wonderful songs recorded over the years by George Beverly Shea.

The project starts out with “I Will Sing Of My Redeemer.”  This is one of the first songs I remember him singing and it was great to hear it again.  This is followed by one of my favorite hymns, “At Calvary.”  The Andre Crouch classic, “The Blood Will Never Lose Its Power” is next and I love this version of this great song.  “Almost Persuaded” is next and I had all but forgotten about this song!  I enjoyed hearing it again. “Bring Back The Springtime” is the next song.

I am sure that George Beverly Shea has sung many Bill and Gloria Gaither songs over the years.  I enjoyed “The Longer I Serve Him” on this project a great deal.  Perhaps the song most closely associated with George Beverly Shea is “The Old Rugged Cross.”  It is wonderful to hear his classic voice on this classic song.  “Oh How He Loves You And Me” is another wonderful song from the past and it is also a great reminder of how much God does love us! “Learning To Lean” is a wonderful song that I have not heard in a long time.  I enjoyed the reminder to lean on Jesus and finding power in Him.  “Victory In Jesus” is another favorite hymn and it is an outstanding version of this song.

“Have Thine Own Way” is a wonderful prayer set to music asking God to have His way on our life.  It is a wish that all Christians should have for their lives.  “Blue Galilee” is the next song and was the only song on the project that I did not know.  It is a good song though and I am sure His fans will enjoy it.  “Let Us Break Bread Together” was one of my favorite songs from my teenage years.  I enjoyed hearing it again and reliving some of those memories associated with that song.  Next on the project is “Welcome, Welcome” which features the Bill Gaither Trio.  Next is the wonderful hymn, “Leaning On The Everlasting Arms.”

The ultimate hymn, “Amazing Grace,” is next and, of course, it is wonderful to hear a great voice like George Beverly Shea’s on this great song.  “Wonderful Name, Jesus” is the next song and it is followed by another of the signature songs associated with George Beverly Shea, “I’d Rather Have Jesus.”  I love that great song and no one sings it quite like George Beverly Shea.  “Friends” is next and it features a guest appearance from Amy Grant.  The project’s final song is “People Need The Lord” and this features a guest appearance from Reverend Billy Graham.

This project is simply an incredible collection of songs from one of the great voices to ever sing Gospel Music.  I have listened to this project a number of times and always enjoy even more than the previous time.  I have always been a huge fan of George Beverly Shea and I will treasure this recording for many years to come.  My favorite songs from this project were hard to pick but I finally decided on “The Old Rugged Cross,” “I’d Rather Have Jesus” and “At Calvary.”  Simply stated, you need to add this CD to your music collection.  It will quickly become a favorite.  For more information on this project visit the Word Music website at www.wordlabelgroup.com.