This album is a sampling of the works performed by the many Choirs of Brigham Young University. It was originally compiled as a public relations piece for prospective students but became so popular that arrangements were made to release the album to the general public on the Tantara Records label of BYU.

There are 13 tracks, a mixture of original and existing songs. All were previously released on other recordings.

First up is "Praise to the Lord, the Almighty" sung by the Combined Choirs and the Philharmonic Orchestra. This is a chest-beating, go get 'em arrangement by Mack Wilberg that gets the heart pumping.

"The Dying Soldier" is next and as performed by the Women's Chorus, the Men's Chorus and the Philharmonic Orchestra. Nothing in particular stuck out about this piece.

The Men's Chorus came next with a performance of a Hebrew folk song "Al Yivnen Hagalil." This song is slightly peppy and catchy. It captures the listener's interest well.

"This is the Christ" was performed by the University Singers, and was written by President James E. Faust of the First Presidency. It's a moving hymn that invites the Spirit to dwell in the believer's heart.

"The Lord is My Shepherd" gets a good choral treatment in this performance by the Concert Choir and Philharmonic Orchestra. The arranger is Mack Wilberg and his expertise shows.

A soft ballad follows in "Let Him Heal Your Heart" sung by soloist Joseph Hale and the Young Ambassadors.

"Simple Gifts" follows by the Women's Chorus. A Shaker hymn, this piece was also soft and gentle.

"Betelehemu" is performed by the Men's Chorus and is a Christmas song but it sounds more like a march into battle or a busy metropolis. This is a very cool song with some serious drum beating as an accompaniment.

"Death Shall Not Destroy My Comfort" brings the pace back down again, and is performed by the Concert Choir and the Philharmonic Orchestra. Like the opening song, this song builds to a loud but melodious climax, but this one quiets back down again.

The Men's Chorus performs "The Morning Trumpet", a nice a cappella piece.

The Combined Choirs and Philharmonic Orchestra perform "Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing" the one hymn from the older hymnbooks that keeps finding its way onto albums. This is a beautiful hymn and is given a nice choral and instrumental treatment here. Another arrangement by the talented Mack Wilberg. One can almost picture an actual water fountain splashing forth from a natural spring, that's how well the arrangement was written and performed.

"My Shepherd Will Supply My Need" follows the heart-thumping conclusion of "Come Thou Fount…" with a quiet and gentle cadence. Performed by the Concert Choir and the Philharmonic Orchestra.

The album ends with "All Creatures of Our God and King" which is performed by the Concert Choir and the Philharmonic Orchestra.

This is a good album with a lot of great singing, however I expected a lot more quiet pieces than there are. The title "Echoes of the Sabbath" is misleading. There isn't anything here that isn't appropriate for the Sabbath Day, I just happen to prefer music with a more reflective feel for my Sabbath listening. A solid four stars for this album.

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Dacia A. Blodgett-Williams

1 Praise to the Lord, the Almighty
2 The Dying Soldier
3 El Yivneh Hagalil
4 This Is the Christ
5 The Lord Is My Shepherd
6 Let Him Heal Your Heart
7 Simple Gifts
8 Betelehemu
9 Death Shall Not Destroy My Comfort
10 The Morning Trumpet
11 Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing
12 My Shepherd Will Supply My Need
13 All Creatures of Our God and King

A Celebration of Chistmas:
Track 8

A Thanksgiving of American Folk Hymns: Tracks 7, 10, 11

All Creatures of Our God and King:
Tracks 5, 9, 12, 13

Come Unto Him:
Track 6

Songs of Praise and Remembrance:
Tracks 1, 2, 3

We Sing of Christ:
Track 4