The second in the series of
Charlton Heston biblical reissue series finds our favorite Moses reading from
The Life and Passion of Jesus according to the Gospels. The first disc takes various passages and finds
Heston locked in an echo chamber, giving him a regal yet slightly ominous delivery and tone to his otherwise warm and grandfatherly voice. In between passages, the soaring vocals of the Robert DeCormier Chorale break things up with majestic interludes and hymns that do
Heston's righteous delivery justice. It's not as thorough as
Heston's reading of the Old Testament, but scholars and newbies alike will find it equally entertaining as it is a great primer for reading the overwhelming Bible. Inexplicably, there is a second disc of African-American spirituals beautifully delivered by
Roland Hayes. Why this is included and not issued separately remains an inexplicable mystery, as the beauty of
Hayes' delivery far exceeds the emotion and quality of
Heston and company on the previous disc, and brings to life the story of Jesus with equal clarity as reading from the Bible verbatim. It is without a doubt worthy of its own release. ~ Rob Theakston