Reviewed by Bruce Dennill

At the outset, it’s important to point out that this not an album so much as a narrative, a collection of ballads where the story-telling aspect of that song-form is highlighted throughout. Taking inspiration directly from the Psalms, songwriting team Steve Siler, Scott Krippayne and Tony Wood have described, paid tribute to and occasionally paraphrased David as a man, a leader, and a follower of God. To sing their words, they’ve enlisted some of the best known male voices in contemporary Christian music and backed them with a stellar supporting cast of musicians and arrangers. The format allows each of the central performers to shine. Greg Long takes on “The Heart Of You” and “I Cannot Hide From You”, the former featuring a wonderfully authentic-sounding arrangement, redolent of the Eastern Mediterranean region in which its inspiration lived. Scott Krippayne’s interpretation of the oft-reworked Shepherd’s Psalm is at once sensitive and compelling, swelling from beginning to end as the strings echo the writer’s emotions. Bob Carlisle is unexpectedly forceful on “Deliver Me”, given extra thrust by some marvellous guitar work. Clay Crosse’s first contribution, “When I Am Afraid”, suggests Steven Curtis Chapman’s quieter moments, while his second, “Purify Me” also features clever ethnic touches, adding to its genuineness. Steve Camp provides “The Lord Is My Rock” with epic scale, and it’s only left for Russ Lee to complete the collection with “Satisfied In You” – a heartfelt word of gratitude for God’s love and mercy. All that remains are the album’s bookends, “Extraordinary God” and “Sing To The Lord”, in which all the vocalists combine in show-stopping (both would make fabulous set-pieces for a stage musical) tributes to the God who inspired both David and the artists involved here. ‘David…’ doesn’t have immediate impact, but let it run, because when it hits, it takes your breath away.

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.

Interested in reviewing music? Find out more here.