Reviewed by Jim Miller

A good idea, this... a cassette collecting new worship songs from churches situated all over America and recorded in situ'. So, of course, the result is uneven in terms of musicianship and arrangements and originality of lyrics; nevertheless there's a future for this kind of compilation. Among these unexceptional, rather samey tracks there are a few standouts. Side one blasts off with "Blessed Be The Name Of The Lord". Written by a certain Clinton Utterbach and performed in a mighty and majestic way by his home church, the Redeeming Love Centre in Naunet, New York. It's sung slower here than I've heard before and the recording is very 'live' and exciting. I'm a sucker for the sound of a big black choir! "White As Snow", an offering from Cornerstone Church in Florida, has a pretty and prayerful sound and is ably fronted vocally by a lady called Susie Stevens, who also features on "You Are Holy" from the Vineyard Christian Fellowship, Colorado...rather puzzling, that...but both songs have been arranged sensitively and are a joy to the spirit. Into side two, there were two tracks that were so bland they really were unbelievable. I would have expected better from Nashville! Never mind...the next track, "If We Don't Praise", was much better. A lovely, sparse and soulful gospel song with a splendid solo from Rick Riso, ably backed by the Calvary Community Church, Westlake, California. Unfortunately, the second offering from Clinton Utterbach didn't live up to his blockbuster on side one. "Behold Go Forth" was just TOO HEAVY. Poor Clinton droned his doleful Barry White-ish vocals over leaden drums and a choir that sounded like they got lost in the middle somewhere. What a shame! Here come the goodies... "Great Is The Lord Almighty", written by Dennis Jernigan and sung by the Westhills Church, Tulsa, Oklahoma. A stately, atmospheric build up leads into a superb praise song with a very Jewish feel to it. It was arranged and sung marvellously and blessed me with a spirit of praise and rejoicing from my head to my socks. Wonderful!

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