About.com Rating

The Bottom Line

An inspirational very moving original soundtrack.



Pros

• "How Can You Refuse Him Now" - Holly Williams
• "Where No One Stands Alone" - Elvis Presley
• "Are You Afraid To Die" - Ricky Skaggs.

Cons

• None.

Description

• Universal South Records.
• Movie directed by the passionate Mel Gibson.
• A companion piece to Gibson's groundbreaking film.

Guide Review - The Passion of the Christ - Various Artists

This comes from a person that has yet to see the movie.


However, after hearing this soundtrack I believe that Mel Gibson did an extraordinary job at compiling artists that would honor all the emotion this soundtrack was meant to put fourth. Each track makes you really feel what the artist has to say. In the beginning of Ricky Skaggs' tune the Reverend Dr. Billy Graham answers the query "Are You Afraid to Die". Ricky's song asks if sinners ever stop and think about dying and if they are strangers to God. It makes one stop and think.

This album has a diverse group of musical icons on it with Leon Russell's "Stranger In A Strange Land" from his 1971 album, Leon Russell and the Shelter People . The late Hank Williams' daughter, Holly Williams, sings the opening track, "How can you refuse him now". This song, written by Hank and debuted on his 1956 Gospel collection and poses a most pressing question. An impressive Elvis sings a gospel tune about the belief, if you have Jesus in your heart you are in a place "Where No One Stands Alone".

After listening to this album and wondering what it would be like talking directly to Christ, I got goose bumps hearing Lee Ryan sing "Why Me".

Mel Gibson has every right to be proud of this effort. Now I can't wait to get to the theater to watch this and get the full effect.