Andrae Crouch - Mercy

Wednesday 1st June 1994
Andrae Crouch - Mercy
Andrae Crouch - Mercy

STYLE: Gospel
RATING 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8
OUR PRODUCT CODE: 3882-613
LABEL: Warner Alliance WBD4159
FORMAT: CD Album
ITEMS: 1
RRP: £10.20

Reviewed by Tony Cummings

A recent American magazine wrote, "Had there never been an Andrae Crouch there may have never been an Amy Grant, a Carman or even a BeBe And CeCe Winans." Very true; Andrae's unique blending of praise lyrics, rhythms taken from the hot R&B of the day (first Motown, later Earth Wind & Fire-style funk) and polyrhythmic vocal arrangements took black gospel out of the storefront and white gospel out the Southern Gospel backwater and forged styles and marketing opportunities for CCM to flourish. But that was a decade back. After winning a Grammy and a Dove for 'No Time To Lose' Andrae turned his back on gospel music and went in search of rich pickings in the secular sphere (everything from the sound track to 'The Colour Purple' to session work with Michael Jackson). But now in one of the most heralded comebacks in Christian music history, Andrae returns with ten songs recorded at his home studio. 'Mercy' kicks off with the double time piano driven "Give It All Back To Me" where the maestro is joined by his long time protégé Tata Vega (one of the all-time great voices in gospel or R&B). Next up, another long-time musical friend of Andrae's Krystle Murden soars soulfully on "Say So". One time R&B-heartthrob El DeBarge leads the down tempo "The Lord Is My Light" and although not the greatest singer Andrae equits himself well on "Nobody Else Like You" which also features an awesome solo by fusion jazzman Joe Sample. Wherever you look and listen memorable hooks and top-flight musicianship pop up on 'Mercy'. Can Andrae recapture the huge popularity he once held in the Christian music market? Wait and see...and in the meantime check out 'Mercy' for yourself.

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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Reader Comments

Posted by TG in Austing Tx @ 11:47 on May 17 2009

Lord is my light
Andrae Crouch featuring El DeBarge, is a great song when time seem troubled, put your ear phones on pipe it in directly to your heart to remember these words to help you persevere...When I was a kid my uncle played I've got confidence by Andre Crouch to this day I know the lyrics since I was 7 years old.



Posted by Ogundare Oluwaseyi O @ 18:09 on Oct 28 2008

He is the best and i love him with such a great passion. My Greatest dream is to see him and kiss his feet with tears of joy in my face. Andrae- keep doing the good work of Him that has sent you...We shall meet.



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