Produced by: John Lanier/Randall Wilds
Crystal River Records
Southern Gospel meets Inspirational/Praise & Worship with a dash of soul, is probably the best way to describe John Lanier and his music. Though not all his music falls into that category, several of his songs do. Former tenor vocalist for Tony Gore & Majesty and Naomi & The Segos, John embarked upon a solo ministry several years ago and has been very successful in his work. This is his latest offering and showcases John’s vocal abilities on several different levels.
Opening the CD is ”MY SOUL DESIRE”, which works well as being John’s mission statement in song..."My soul desire is to be used…my soul desire is to serve you Lord…to work each day and build Your Kingdom…this is my soul desire.”
”I WILL LIFT MY VOICE” is an excellent song, which falls into the praise and worship category and is a very uplifting song and one you’ll be singing along with in no time.
John turns in a very impressive rendition of ”JESUS CAN.” A recent hit for Ricky Atkinson, John records the song as a duet with vocalist Dedra Henry from the Shadrix Trio and they do a marvelous job on this great encouraging song.
Speaking of encouraging songs, this recording features several songs like that, such as ”FAITH MOUNTAIN”, ”GOD IS GREATER THAN THE NEED” and ”HASN’T GOD BEEN GOOD.” Each of the preceding songs offers hope and encouragement in times when it most needed.
Featuring some of the most descriptive lyrics concerning Heaven, ”THE PROMISED LAND” offers hope of a better land, which no man has seen with mortal eye. Another song about Heaven is ”DANCIN’ IN THE STREET” which is a song John recorded when he was with Tony Gore & Majesty, and the song fits John to a ‘T’.
I hadn’t heard ”LOVE STILL FLOWS” in ages, and it was nice to hear this song resurrected. Closing out the recording is an honest song called ”DON’T LEAVE ME.” I am sure all of us have lived this song at one time or another and recall times of heartache and pain when living out of His will.
Though John does a great job and there are several strong songs on this recording, I feel the recording gets weak at times. There are no real surprises on here. I feel John doesn’t pull as many punches as he could have vocally and musically as I have seen him do in the past. Overall though, this is a good recording and one I am proud to have in my collection.
Personal Favs: MY SOUL DESIRE; I WILL LIFT MY VOICE; JESUS CAN; DON’T LEAVE ME
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