Reviewed by Mike Rimmer

Smithton Community Church in Missouri has been experiencing a revival with nearly a quarter of a million visitors coming to be blessed by God. So you'd think that an album that comes from within that revival would be something a bit special wouldn't you? You'd think it would give a taste of what was happening there, would you not? Unfortunately, that's not what's happening here. Sure you get local worship leader Eric Nuzum, but rather than the church's own worship group who, let's face it, are the guys on the front line, Hosanna choose to import their own guys and hold a worship service in the church. So you get the likes of Lenny Leblanc, Don Moen, Lincoln Brewster and Darrell-Evans and the Hosanna Choir larging it. Truth be told, this is a hot worship album something akin to the live recording of Darrel! Evans or just about every other recent Hosanna album. Smooth, well-produced worship, great musicianship, plenty of the crowd and choir going wild. This is slick stuff and songs like Nuzum's "Fire In The House" and pseudo messianic "Revival Is In The Land" and Evans' "Undignified" are certainly great songs and well-executed. You gel the kick of Lynne deShazo's "Stand Up And Give Him The Praise" with horn section blasting, before the second half dies off into a series of intimate ballady type songs, giving Nuzum the opportunity to have three more of his songs delivered by the all-star band. This is okay as a worship album but it isn't the sound of the Smithton outpouring which is a great shame. I feel a little conned.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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