Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 14!
Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 14!

JFH Music Review


Zach Williams, 'Austin City Limits Live at the Moody Theater'
CLICK COVER TO ENLARGE

Zach Williams
Austin City Limits Live at the Moody Theater



Artist Info: Discography
Genre(s): Southern Pop/Rock / Contemporary / Live
Album length: 19 tracks: 83 minutes
Street Date: June 23, 2023


READER RATING:   


Zach Williams should probably release a live album for every tour that he goes on. His particular dusty blend of classic rock and country music is just meant to be experienced live in the sort of places that your feet stick to the floor halfway through the show. With a barrelhouse voice and a deep sense of what the crowd wants, Williams is a deceptively canny songwriter and performer, yet with a humble attitude and heart for ministry.

Austin City Limits Live at the Moody Theater is a full-fledged live album (unlike his last live release, the too-short Survivor: Live From Harding Prison - EP) that ebbs and flows like a great concert setlist should. The walloping "Big Tent Revival," from his latest album A Hundred Highways, sets the tone for a rowdy-yet-reverent night. With a stomping rhythm and a great rousing chorus, the song is an excellent choice for both an opening number and a call to worship in a distinctly classic rock way (I dig that wailing saxophone!). The anthemic and convicting "Less Like Me" follows suit as a great follow-up song that rocks hard with a horn section and a terrific chorus. The radio favorite "Old Church Choir" rounds out a great start to the setlist. And for a genre that often lately features songs of bravado, Williams' humility and heart for Jesus shine bright in the lyrics to "Less Like Me": "Oh, I have days I lose the fight / Try my best but just don't get it right / Where I talk a talk that I don't walk And miss the moments right before my eyes /Somebody with a hurt that I could have helped Somebody with a hand that I could have held / When I just can't see past myself / Lord, help me be / A little more like mercy, a little more like grace / A little more like kindness, goodness, love, and faith / A little more like patience, a little more like peace / A little more like Jesus, a little less like me."

Other highlights - among many - include the soulful "There Was Jesus," which, although it's missing the iconic vocals of Dolly Parton, still features a wonderful female vocal counterpoint to Williams' gruff, soulful delivery and celebrates the constant presence of the Savior in our lives, especially in those moments "we couldn't see it." The slow burn "Heart Of God" is the sort of song the country needs to hear heading into an election year when all sorts of off-the-wall statements are made in the name of God: "'Cause there's only love in the heart of God / No room for shame in His open arms / There's beauty from ashes, so come as you are / And there's only love in the heart of God."

The best overall concert moment may be the swinging "Jesus' Fault," a barroom tune that has a bit more grit and grime live than the recorded version does (courtesy of a soulful harmonica and wicked slide guitar), and a great opening lyric: "That Bible by the bed ain't a coaster no more / It's still got some rings from the bottles before / But that red letter mercy put an end to my thirsty / That Bible by the bed ain't a coaster no more."

By the time the familiar first line of "Chain Breaker" rolls around towards the end of the setlist, the crowd is thoroughly warmed up, and the singing of this now iconic song is a terrific way to go out. Williams and his fantastic band are worth seeing in whatever city you may have to travel to. But until that time, Austin City Limits Live at the Moody Theater is a fantastic way to enjoy the sort of wonderful, Spirit-filled night that live music and ministry can weave together.

- Review date: 7/20/23, written by Alex Caldwell of Jesusfreakhideout.com



(JFH Sponsor Spot)

Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 14!

 

. Record Label: Provident / Sony
. Album length: 19 tracks: 83 minutes
. Street Date: June 23, 2023 (Digital) / August 4, 2023 (CD)
. Buy It: Apple Music
. Buy It: Amazon.com (CD)
. Buy It: Amazon Music (MP3)

  1. Big Tent Revival (Live) (6:26)
  2. Less Like Me (Live) (4:01)
  3. Old Church Choir (Live) (5:13)
  4. Stand Up (Live) (3:48)
  5. Fear Is A Liar (Live) (4:31)
  6. Testimony (Live) (9:01)
  7. Rescue Story (Live) (3:59)
  8. There Was Jesus (Live) (3:53)
  9. Slave to Nothing (Live) (4:01)
  10. The Father's Love (Live) (2:02)
  11. Heart of God (Live) (3:57)
  12. Lookin' For You (Live) (3:54)
  13. Jesus' Fault (feat. Ben Fuller) [Live] (3:54)
  14. Under My Feet (Live) (3:41)
  15. Stand My Ground (Live) (3:41)
  16. Baptized (Live) (4:34)
  17. Chain Breaker (Live) (4:15)
  18. Communion (Live) (1:37)
  19. Flesh and Bone (We Remember) [Live] (6:58)

 

 



Leave a Comment

 

 

go to main Album review page
go to Album review archive

 

 

                 
Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 14!

Search JFH



This Wednesday, October 8, 2025
SINGLES
Amy Jay Back to What's Natural - Single (independent)

This Friday, October 10, 2025
ALBUMS
Citizens m us eum [Anotherland Records]
Ben Fuller Walk Through Fire: Songs From The Smoke [Provident]
Grace Graber Everything You Ever Wanted - EP [Wings]
Faith Worship Arts Fill This House (Deluxe) [DREAM]
Jesus Culture Send The Fire: Live From London [Capitol CMG]
The Kingdom Heirs Fortieth Anniversary [Sonlite]
Tasha Layton Life in Me [BEC]
Myles Maestro Dead End Road - EP [Syntax]
Make Sure Starry May Morning (independent)
Wintley Phipps A Symphonic Tribute to the Songs of Bill & Gloria Gaither [Gaither]
SNT. VINCENT Final Greetings [Syntax]
Razzie Digital Psalms - EP [Syntax]
Matthew West Come Home For Christmas [Provident/Story House]
Josh Wright LEAD (Deluxe) (independent)

SINGLES
Holly Brand One Thing He Wouldn't Do - Single [Integrity]
Chosen Road Daddy Was a Navy Man - Single [Thoroughbred]
Drakeford Writing on the Wall - Single (independent)
EJ Swavv & Jeff Knox Deja Vu - Single [Syntax]
gio. DANCE LIKE DAVID (feat. Swaizy) - Single [Capitol CMG]
Benjamin William Hastings At the heart of it (from Worship Together) - Single [Capitol CMG]
JSP No More (feat. Kevin Young) - Single (independent)
Kelo Memory Lane - Single [Syntax]
MATTHEWS Broken Forever - Single [Curb]
Patrick Mayberry + Katie Torwalt God Is Faithful - Single [Provident]
MAYIA Pass Me Not - Single [Syntax]
Kevi Morse Like You - Single [Syntax]
Jeannie Ortega Decipher - Single [Syntax]
Run51 Song Of My Soul - Single [DREAM]
Lee Vasi A Pesar De Todo - Single [Capitol CMG]
Zane Vickery Name (Live at Greenbriar) - Single (independent)
Vineyard Worship & Dreaming The Impossible Praise You For Eternity - Single [Vineyard]
Jovan Whyte Never Give Up (feat. Dweeno) - Single (independent)

Next Friday, October 17, 2025
ALBUMS
ANTHNY DIARY ENTRY 1 [Provident]
Blanca Full Bloom [Curb]
Chris Blue Every Day Is Christmas [Gaither]
Geoff Moore and The Distance Foundations (Re-Release) [Girder]
Geoff Moore and The Distance A Place To Stand (Re-Release) [Girder]
Nate Parrish Make Me A Mountain (independent)
Psallos The New and Better Way: Hymns of Hebrews (independent)
Anne Wilson Stars [Capitol CMG]

SINGLES
Zane Vickery All Things New - Single (independent)

DVD
Chris Blue Every Day Is Christmas DVD [Gaither]


For all release dates, click here!
 

Purchase Original Art Prints, Drawings, Stickers, Bookmarks and more from JFH's own John DiBiase!
Need proofreading and editing help? We've got you covered! Click here to learn more
Check out depositphotos for royalty free images