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With a doctorate and a promising career in pharmacy, you're not too likely to end up as full-time music director of a lively
charismatic fellowship. But that's just how it's turned out for Florida man Sion Alford! Following a growing inclination to write worship songs in the mid-late '80's, Sion worked with Clint Brown at Rod Parsley’s
World Harvest Church in Columbus, Ohio for a year, following Clint on a relocation to Orlando, Florida before accepting his current position at Living Word Fellowship
in Panama City, from where this dynamic, 'praise-packed' project stems.
Based on Psalm 149:6-9, the album has one aim - to 'execute the judgement written against....the kingdom of darkness by
exalting Jesus with the Highest Praise this world has ever heard!' With this weapon of praise, worship leaders Sion and wife Shannon, along with a forceful, passionate vocal team, deliver a victorious set of
'slammin’ upbeat' gospel / r&b praise, recently composed by the Alfords and friends, (the unashamed 'He is' declaration carries no fewer than five co-writers!).
Such continual pageant of
triumphalistic praise may be too much for some to handle - it's not until the 8th and 9th tracks that proceedings ease to tender, piano-guided adoration...... before kicking in again with some closing, celebratory funk.
I unquestionably prefer the more varied and accessible worship blend that attends Alford's previous Secret Place recording - a beautiful venture with a sensitive and unique sound. Nonetheless, if you're in the appropriate mood and seeking to stir up your faith, you may indeed wanna stick
this disc in your player. Go on - turn the praise up!
Review by tom lennie
- July 2002 |
