AMG Review of Golden Treasury of Hymns

John Bush
All Music Guide

Golden Treasury of Hymns is a double-disc set including 40 tracks, the most-loved spirituals of Pat Boone's career. The collection offers dozens of favorites, usually either hymns ("Nearer My God to Thee," "What a Friend We Have in Jesus," "I Need Thee Every Hour," "Blessed Assurance," "Savior Like a Shepherd Leadeth," "How Great Thou Art") or country-gospel standards ("I Saw the Light," "Will the Circle Be Unbroken," "In the Garden," "Sweet Hour of Prayer"). It's difficult to date these recordings, and given the variety of period embellishments -- vocal choruses, wood blocks and acoustic guitars, strings, brass, and more -- cropping up on Golden Treasury of Hymns, it sounds as though the tracks were recorded throughout Boone's career. Still, it's a great collection for hymn-seekers and Pat Boone fans alike.