Billy: The Early Years soundtrack (Arista Nashville, 2008)

Making a movie about Billy Graham is certainly a daunting task. Clearly, Graham is one of the most respected men in the world, whether you agree with his beliefs or not. Yet the creation of this soundtrack looks easy. But as with cooking, great music begins with the best ingredients. And this disc includes many fine singers and songs. Alan Jackson sings the romantic Look At Me and Third Day's Mac Powell joins Brooks & Dunn for the heavenly-looking Over The Next Hill, but lesser known China Edelman steals the show with her passionate reading of Buddy and Julie Miller's Shelter Me.

Although some of these recordings are better than others, the singing is topnotch throughout. Josh Turner was born to sing powerful gospel music as he does with Almost Persuaded, and Sara Evans is given a passionate lyric to sink her teeth into on Low. Brad Paisley also performs the hymn What A Friend We Have In Jesus, which comes as no surprise. But the inclusion of In Dreams by Roy Orbison is an unexpected treat. One wonders how that song was used in the film. It's easy to recommend this soundtrack album with evangelical fervor.