Reviewed by Tony Cummings

Live worship, save as sanctified mementos for those who attended the event where they were recorded, often pail against studio projects where producers can craft multi-layered arrangements to mask the fact that worship songs are, by their nature, simple things and better sung in a congregation than listened to on a stereo. But with this album, the subtle balances between live atmosphere and crafted musicianship have been breathtakingly achieved and if there's a better live album released this year I'll be amazed. Cross Rhythms has long been a sold out supporter of David Evans, Australia's musical prophet whose gritty, soulful voice is one lesser talents dream of yet a singer who's never followed the easy path of easy evangelical entertainment and here he's completely in his forte, leading worship with a fine set of Brisbane musicians and singers. There are other singers/worship leaders too in Cre8ive, though, in truth, it's David who, with his sheer unbridled passion, grabs the attention. This event, recorded in October at Brisbane Convention And Exhibition Centre, is caught in all its anointed power, while the set of original songs is better than anything you'll hear on one of those unimaginative 'Yet More New Worship Songs For The Church Vol 4' samplers. Here are songs which reach deep into the whirlpool of divine adoration, with the tender "Come", the triumphant "Glimpse Of Heaven" and the faith-building "So We Stand". The opener "Eyes To The Field" is good enough to sound great on a radio playlist (no mean feat for a live worship recording). All in all, a stunning album that demonstrates that worship truly can be creative rather than formulaic.

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