Get Your Music on Amazon!
Get Your Music on Amazon!

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)

Purchase Original Art Prints, Drawings, Buttons, Stickers, Bookmarks and more from JFH's own John DiBiase!

 

. 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

 


(JFH Sponsor Spot)

 

 

                 
Purchase Original Art Prints, Drawings, Buttons, Stickers, Bookmarks and more from JFH's own John DiBiase!

Search JFH




This Thursday, July 25, 2024
SINGLES
Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors Burn (feat. Ellie Holcomb) - Single [Tone Tree]

This Friday, July 26, 2024
ALBUMS
Pat Barrett Happily Hidden [Capitol CMG]
Before There Was Rosalyn Hypocrites EP [The Charon Collective]
Bloodlines Holiness Cries EP [Facedown]
The Collingsworth Family Classics & Hymns [Gaither]
Dex the Nerd Who Loves Jesus Pixelated Virtues Online - EP (independent)
Danny Gokey Sound of Heaven [Sparrow]
The Hillbilly Thomists Marigold (independent)
Kestrel Vessel EP (independent)
Ken Tamplin Stand Up And Shout (4 CD Box Set) [Girder]
Swingin Hammers Blood in the Sand EP (independent)
Thrive Worship Praises & Prayers [Integrity]
Tyraels Ascension Hell Walker [Rottweiler]
Phil Wickham The Jesus Way Collection - EP [Fair Trade]
Thousand Foot Krutch The End Is Where We Begin (Reignited) [The Fuel]
Young Noah A Positive Sign EP (independent)

SINGLES
2 Minute Minor & Dave LeBlanc Golden Calf - Single (independent)
Tina Boonstra Can People Ever Really Change? (at Old Chapel) - Single [7Core]
Chad Cory Love Forward - Single [DREAM]
Dreamers Make A Move - Single [DREAM]
Fit For A King TECHNIUM - Single [Solid State]
Keith & Kristyn Getty Scarlet Thread (feat. Zach Williams) - Single [Getty]
Good Weather Forecast Let's Build A House (feat. Real Life Guys) - Single [DREAM]
Heal the Hurt RUIN - Single (independent)
Hyper Fenton Show Me What You’re Working With feat. Peabod - Single (independent)
Lauren, Amber & Kenna Every Praise - Single [Horizon]
Claire Leslie Original - Single [Capitol CMG]
Mission House Faith More Precious Than Gold, Everything In Your Hands + Suscipe - Triple Single [Integrity]
MotionPlus Kings Grace - Single (independent)
OM53 Letting Go of Yesterday - Single (independent)
The Riverside Blade of the King’s Tongue - Single (independent)
Sean Rodriguez Jesus Will - Single [WieRok]
Sidewalk Prophets Come To Jesus - Single [Curb]
Souljornerz The Lamb - Single [Polished Arrow]
The Spirituals Be Thou My Vision - Single [Integrity]
Uche Agu, Revival Today Worship The Whole Earth Will See (A.K.A America Will See) - Single [DREAM]
Verses Philippians 2:5-11 (feat. The Sing Team) - Single (independent)
Village KNG Turn'E Up (ft. Monty G) - Single [Soldier Sound]
We Are Messengers God Be The Glory (Remix) [feat. KB] - Single [Curb]

VINYL
Disciple By God Vinyl [Girder]
Disciple What Was I Thinking? Vinyl [Girder]
Element 101 Stereo Girl Vinyl [Burnt Toast Vinyl]

Next Friday, August 2, 2024
ALBUMS
Anberlin Vega [Equal Vision]
Brandon Heath The Ache [Centricity]
Chandler Moore Live in Los Angeles [Tribl]
Rock Springs Worship Hymns Vol. 2 [StowTown]

SINGLES
AWZY Shadow - Single [DREAM]
FYR FYTR, Make Sure I Took the World on My Shoulders - Single (independent)
Mainstream Worship, Melanie Rivera Praise You - Single [DREAM]
Ian Yates My World Is On Fire - Single [7Core]

VINYL
Anberlin Vega [Equal Vision]



For all release dates, click here!
 



Check out Ninties Worship Night!



Listen to the new Album From Millennial Reign!

Check out depositphotos for royalty free images