From the opening title track, we hear a powerful duo showing the wide vocal differences in colour between these two acclaimed artists. Solo moments from tenor Hobson in The Holy City and O Holy Night are quite splendid, as are the many rich and sonorous sounds from bass Tahu Rhodes. Some of the contrasts in vocal colour were at times unnerving, as in The Lord’s Prayer. But Hobson relaxes and is much more at ease in songs like Poor Wayfaring Stranger and Go Tell it on the Mountain, which were real joys.
Not all the arrangements work, as in Amazing Grace which has for the most part unison singing with the voices too far apart in range. It is an ordinary arrangement and really doesn’t add anything to the existing repertory. Battle Hymn of the Republic has some strange melodic deviations and whilst the quasi-military element is evident with snare drum, what is lacking is a large choir behind these voices. The development of Abide with Me with its lush orchestration adds to this well-known classic hymn. Hobson’s light tenor is perfectly suited to the Bach-Gounod Ave Maria where he really shines. Similarly, Tahu Rhodes’ opening in Little Drummer Boy was magnificent, but the duo arrangement again lets down this track.
This is a disc for the fans of these two popular singers, who through their associated national tour, no doubt will add many more fans.