MultiTracks.com started the project known as
The Recording Collective as a resource for worship leaders and listeners. The project is aimed at multi-cultural congregations across the globe.
Gospel Vol. 2: Every Praise is chock-full of praise and worship songs, ranging from Hezekiah Walker's "Every Praise," to the popular Bethel song, "No Longer Slaves," and even "Good Good Father." These are all likely recordings like you've never heard before. Popular contemporary worship songs, like "This is Amazing Grace," have been given the full gospel treatment. Even songs like Planetshakers' dance club-flavored "Endless Praise" gets a funky gospel makeover. It's certainly interesting to listen to these well-known songs done over completely anew. The Recording Collective doesn't seem to be out to make a cheesy cover album, but instead to attempt to breathe new life into some songs while offering new arrangements for congregations that may not connect with the original versions. One of the shining examples on the album is "Good Good Father." While Chris Tomlin's version has gotten a bit tired, this R&B-flavored gospel number almost makes it feel like a completely new song. On the opposite end of the spectrum, the least original sounding tune is Bryan and Katie Torwalt's "Holy Spirit" as the group play it pretty close to the vest. The vocals presented on
Gospel Vol. 2 are solid gospel vocals and they are as powerful as expected for the type of music. While the music is good, at times it's not as dynamic as it should be. The best examples of this are the guitars -- especially in tracks like "Every Praise" and "This is Amazing Grace." They aren't necessarily bad, but they don't reach out and grab you like you'd hope; they're missing that extra "umph." Overall, this is a super cool venture. While you can find better gospel albums out there, the idea of taking popular contemporary songs and giving them a completely new twist is a novel idea.
Gospel Vol. 2: Every Praise may just remind you of why you liked some of these songs in the first place. The Recording Collective also offers up chord charts for their special arrangements available to download on their website. Gospel music fans, or worship fans looking for new versions of some recent favorites, will likely be the target audience for this album.
- Review date: 5/10/17, written by
Michael Weaverr of Jesusfreakhideout.com
(JFH Sponsor Spot)