MISSION
STATEMENT:
"To make all people aware of
the faithfulness of God, share the faithfulness He has shown me and bring them
into the presence of God."
Vicki explains,
"I'm just so blessed by all that God has done and is continuing to do in
my life, my family and my ministry, I can truly testify that He's been faithful."
"To
minister to music lovers of black Gospel and Contemporary music fans as well."
"I
believe that God is in the process of tearing down walls between the "black
church" and the white church. There is one church - the church of Jesus Christ.
That's the church I belong to and I'm encouraged as I travel and minister, as
I'm witnessing this change in philosophy more and more. Faith is not a color,
and the Lord loves all of His children the same."
Favorite
verse which is a reality in her own life, a truth that the Lord has continually
brought her to realize, through all the changes in her life over the past several
years:
Romans 8:28 - And we know that
in all things God works for the good of those who love Him.
OVERVIEW
OF HE'S BEEN FAITHFUL CD
Feeling stressed,
discouraged, and need a lift of encouragement and hope, via a special CD? Have
I got the CD for you!
Vicki Yohe and her marvelous
voice, under contract with CeCe Winan's Puresprings Gospel label, has
teamed up with some talented Gospel music professionals / composers / Brooklyn
Tabernacle Choir / friends to create a splendid collection
of Gospel / Contemporary Praise and Worship songs which rise to a high musical
level as well as aspiring to a spiritually uplifting, joyful expression of love
and gratitude for the Lord.
The combination
of Vicki Yohe's conciderable vocal talent, paired with dynamic, well written compositions
offers us a musical listening experience which is balm to the soul, a huge lift
to the spirits, a great de-stresser and instills / reminds the listener of the
hope we have in our Lord, as she shares her testimony through music about how
great our Lord is; how faithful, loving and merciful He is to His children, especially
to those who love Him.
The songs on this
album have wide audience appeal, sure to be embraced by both the black Gospel
and Contemporary Christian music enthusiasts, as elements of the black Gospel
music genre and of Contemporary Christian music are creatively blended to create
songs which please everyone. Though
Vicki has been composing songs for a long time herself, she has picked some of
her favorite Praise and Worship songs for this CD, composed by other artists which
fully express her gratitude to the Lord for all his faithfulness and love He has
shown in her life, which she is truly thankful.
HE'S
BEEN FAITHFUL, the title song, for example, has been one of Vicki's favorite songs
for a long time. It was written in 1995 by Carol Cymbala and made known by The
Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir, who has helped Vicki in providing excellent backup
full sound choir vocals, full of harmony, giving the song a full, strong support
base on the rendition of this song on Vicki's album.
Vicki
shares in her promotional materials, "This new album has taken my music to
a whole new place musically and spiritually, and I love every song. It's very
close to my heart in lots of ways, because it really reflects where I am right
now in my ministry and in my daily walk with the Lord."
This
well put together CD is the result of teaming the marvelous vocal talent of Vicki
Yohe with some of the best in the Gospel music business. Vicki teamed up with
the very talented producer Sanchez Hanley, and songwriters / musicians Geron Davis
and Ay-Ron Lewis. What a trio to be teamed up with; A "soulful producer"
and two invaluable people with a lot of experience, talent and expertise!
Sanchez
Hanley, a perfectionist who loves to be creative, has
shared his musical gifts in producing albums for such Gospel talent as Yolanda
Adams, Kirk Franklin, RiZen, Aretha Franklin, The Mighty Clouds of Joy, to name
a few, and now on this fine Vicki Yohe Album. He also has a gift in working with
artists, in that he knows how to inspire the very best performances, which are
a blessing to all.
On her CD cover incert,
Vicki has this to say about Sanchez Hanley: "Sanchez,
you are absolutely incredible. Thanks for taking me to another level! You opened
every session with prayer, and I know that and I know that made the difference
as we sent up the praise!"
Geron Davis
and Ay-Ron Lewis (RiZen) also were inspirational
with their musical expertise.
Ay-Ron Lewis,
is a talented songwriter, pianist / organist and assistant music producer, who
also is the brother of Aundrea and Adriann Lewis, lead vocalists in the popular
Gospel group, RiZen, mentioned above.
Geron
Davis has long been an inspired choir director and songwriter, a long time mentor
/ friend of Vicki's, for at least 15 years, whom she first met at her home church.
The song, IN THE PRESENCE OF JEHOVAH was written by Geron and Becky Davis, a very
special song to Vicki and to the listener as well.
It
is by no accident that this collection of songs more than fulfills the mission
statements found above. The fine dynamic musical
direction of both Vicki's wonderfully heartening, energetic soft to soaring vocals,
which express the meaningful lyrics so well, and the well-done musical compositions
brought to life by talented musicians and production crew have melded nicely together
"to make all people aware of the faithfulness
of God," give Vicki's testimony of the Lord's faithfulness He has shown her
personally and bring everyone who listens into the "presence of God."
Furthermore,
this collection of songs with wide audience appeal because of the way they were
put together truly will "minister to music lovers of black Gospel and Contemporary
Christian music fans as well."
It was
quite a blessing for this reviewer to evaluate the songs on this CD, and I highly
reccommend it to be a part of any Christian music collection!
ABOUT
VICKI YOHE
Vicki Yohe was born and raised in
Lousiana, the daughter of a minister. Being raised as a PK, (Preacher's Kid),
Vicki was blessed with a strong, Christian upbringing, and many opportunities
to develop her marvelous singing talent and musical abilities, along with her
love of Jesus throughout her growing up years. She also was exposed to a lot of
great Gospel music both in her own home and in the community around her. Her early
musical influences included Tramaine Hawkins and Aretha Franklin.
A
strong musical and life molding influence was Mickey Mangun, her former pastor's
wife from Alexandria, LA. Vicki explains the life molding experience which led
her to where she is today, being in an active Christian ministry, with music as
the vehicle to reach people.
"When I was 12
yrs old, I was sitting in a huge auditorium, watching my mentor, Mickey Mangun,
singing with everything she had! She gave 150%. At that moment, I leaned over
to my mom and said, 'Someday that will be me.'"
Another
musical influence was / is CeCe Winans, who wound up years later signing Vicki
Yohe in a recording contract with her record label, Puresprings Gospel, as CeCe
knows talent when she hears and sees it!
At
the age of 17, it was no surprise that Vicki Yohe attended Jackson College of
Ministries where she studied music in ministry. After college, she became a music
director near Baton Rouge, LA. Her family surprised her with the funds to record
her first CD at the age of 19, called VICKI YOHE.
She found herself performing in more and more concerts, developing a large fan
base in the process. Vicki got the sense that the Lord had some new plans for
her in her ministry for Him; to be more of an active vessel in spreading the Gospel
in music. He had a more vigorous path for her to follow, one which would make
good use of her boundless energy and her gifts.
With
the Lord opening new doors to Vicki, her music ministry turned up a notch or two
in the next 10 years, as she found herself recording 6 albums with three different
record labels and ministering to people through her songs with well known pastors
and evangelists such as Bill Winston, Juanita Bynum, Benny Hinn, TD Jakes, Kenneth
Copeland, Creflo Dollar and The Brownsville Revival team. She found herself a
frequent guest on The Trinity Broadcasting Network.
Kurt
Carr and Vicki Yohe
During the fall of 2005,
Vicki went on Kurt Carr's "One Church Tour" with Kurt Carr and the Kurt
Carr Singers, RiZen, Smokie Norful and James Fortunr & FIYA, which Vicki was
excited about.
"I'm so excited to be part
of a tour that allows me collaborate with artists that I genuinely love."
During
their fall tour, they had the opportunity to minister to, talk to and perform
for Hurrican Katrina victims, offering reduced ticket prices or free tickets for
them. $5.00 from each tciket sold went to the Red Cross as a donation for hurricane
efforts.
In 1994, Vicki signed a recording
contract with the indie label, Giant Records, where she did three projects with
them. On her first album, EVERLASTING LOVE, THE MERCY SEAT which now is her signature
song, was showcased at the famous Brownsville Revival in Pensacola, becoming very
popular indeed, and has become one of the Top 10 best-selling Christian accompaniment
tapes of all time. Other big hits from her three albums with Giant include UNDER
THE BLOOD and SOMETHING ABOUT MY PRAISE.
After
her contract was up with Giant, she signed another contract with Aluminum Records,
and did two more albums with them, CHRISTMAS PRESENCE and BEYOND THE SONG.
In
2002, Vicki signed a recording contract with Purespring Gospel. Her debut release
with Purespring was I JUST WANT YOU, which had the huge Gospel radio smash hit
in 2004, BECAUSE OF WHO YOU ARE; a song which earned Vicki her first nomination
for Gospel Music's Dove Award, which made the whole Gospel music community wake
up and take notice!
In between all her projects,
tours and services in her Christian music ministry efforts, Vicki found the love
of her life, Troy Hodges and married him. For nine
years, Vicki and her husband Troy were unable to have children. But on March 28,
2005, their dream of having a family came true. The Lord blessed them with a baby
through an adoption.
The Official Announcement:
"On March 28, 2005, the most incredible blessing was bestowed on Vicki Yohe
and her husband Troy Hodges. A teenage girl chose life instead of abortion, and
gave birth to a beautiful bi racial baby boy, making Troy and Vicki the proud
parents of Walker Winston Hodges."
Vicki
shares about this special moment in their lives.
"This
young girl hid her pregnancy from family and friends for nearly 8 months, fearing
the negative reaction of not only being pregnant, but being pregnant with a bi
racial child. After revealing her pregnancy, she was able to find sanctuary in
the most incredible place for young women in her position, Darlene Bishop's Home
for Life."
This joyous moment became the
inspiration for the title of this new CD, HE'S BEEN FAITHFUL, released on Purespring
Gospel label on September 27, 2005.
Vicki reflects,
"When the Lord blessed us with Walker, it was around the same time that we
were deciding what to name the new CD project. The Lord really has been faithful
to me. I've been singing Brooklyn Tabernacle song, 'He's been faithful' for years,
and had decided to put that on the CD, so that made the perfect title."
ABOUT
HER MUSIC
When asked to describe her music,
Vicki replied, "Praise & Worship with a Gospel flavor"
Vicki
Yohe's vocals are powerful, dynamic and heartfelt. She not only has a strong voice,
but great breath control, great tone and a wonderful sense of dynamics and style,
all of which she uses in just the right manner for each performance of the songs
recorded on this CD. WOW!! She skillfully uses her voice as a fine-tuned instrument,
which she can express in various ways to artfully perform the right nuance needed
for each song's lyrics, which washes over the listener in a very effective way.
It
is no wonder that she has such a wide following from fans of multiple musical
genres who love her music, for she relies on the Lord for her inspiration to do
her best whether she is composing on her keyboard, performing for people, recording
an album or being envolved in her mission projects.
Vicki shares, "The Spirit of God leads me to write and sing my music. Whether
in the valley or on a mountain top, God gives me the words and the melody."
SPIRITUAL
TRUTHS AND THEMES IN SONGS
The
Lord is ever faithful in his love and mercy he shows us: HERE IN THIS HOUSE *
INCREASE ME
The Lord
is a dependable friend, who never leaves us in times of trouble: HE'S BEEN FAITHFUL
I'LL RUN TO YOU * IN THE PRESENCE
OF JEHOVAH
Jesus is our deliverer/
healer / Savior so believe: DELIVERANCE IS AVAILABLE * IN THE PRESENCE OF JEHOVAH
The
Lord is worthy of all our praise - AT YOUR FEET * HIGHEST PRAISE
Be thankful and give glory to Him, no matter our circumstances
I
SIMPLY LOVE YOU * HERE IN THIS HOUSE * IN THE SANCTUARY
Individual
Commentary and Review of HE'S BEEN FAITHFUL Songs
*
* * + I SIMPLY LOVE YOU (INTRO) - Written by Jeff Ferguson / Twila McBride-LaBar
First verse and chorus are used as an intro to this collection of songs, while
the second verse and chorus are used to end the album. Starts with just a soft
guitar and very soft synth chords and Vicki's poignant vocals, which gets the
listener in the mood for Praise, Worship and Reflection. Chorus is in 3/4 meter,
which adds a nice flowing feel to her honest sentiment, completing her love letter
to the Lord.
Vicki provides heartfelt vocals
in the first two stanzas in a soft dynamic, all alone with no accompaniment (accapella),
with the guitar joining in, half way through the first verse.
Scriptural
References:(Luke 10:27, Deut.6:5, 1 Thess.16-18)
Lyrics:
My
trembling hand holds the pen / I don't know where to start / I could fill 10,000
pages / With the praises of my heart / Thoughts and phrases flood my mind / As
I reminisce / But each word will have to wait in line / As I tell you this
Chorus:
I simply love You, I love You / What more can I say to try to convey that I love
You, I love You.
* * * + + HIGHEST PRAISE
- Written by Joy T. Hill
A contemporary Praise
and Worship song, with the umph of Gospel added. Would do well in any contemporary
service! Sure to chase away any dour, sad thought. Really gets the Spirit flowing
with an interesting 6/8 meter, syncopated / easy beat intro which segues into
a joyous, catchy melody and rhythm. Easy to remember words makes it perfect for
audience participation.
Melody is vivacious
with some great key modulations in Bridge and Hook with great rise in dynamics
/ composition buildup to match! Full Gospel band sound - horns / piano / organ
/ snappy drums - with great inner voices which support the melody and provide
counter melody. Great syncopation is played like it was easy; (This reviewer knows
better from personal experience!)
Lead Vocals
and back up chorus are enthusiastic, and infectious, great dynamics. In HOOK and
VAMP, Vicki mixes in a nice level of Gospel blues to make things interesting.
Scriptural
References:(Rev. 4:11 & 5:12, Psalms 7:17 & 106:1 & 148:1)
Lyrics:
INTRO
CHORUS: Lord we give You the highest praise / (Lord we give You the highest praise)
/ Lord we give You the highest praise / (Lord we give You the highest praise)
/ (CHANT AND REPEAT)
BRIDGE: Blessings and
Honor, Glory and Power / Wisdom, Dominion be unto You / Blessings and Honor, Glory
and Power / Wisdom, Dominion be unto You
HOOK: Hallelujah (Hallelujah) / Hallelujah (Hallelujah) / Hallelujah (Everyone
sing) / Hallelujah (sing to the King of Kings) / Lord we give You the highest
praise (Lord we give You the highest praise) / Lord we give You the highest praise
(Lord we give You the highest praise) / (CHANT & REPEAT)
(REPEAT
BRIDGE) & (REPEAT HOOK)
VAMP: We clap our
hands, We do our dance, We give You highest praise! / We sing our song to Jesus
our Lord / We give You the highest Praise! / (REPEAT)
(REPEAT
HOOK) & (REPEAT BRIDGE)
* * * + + DELIVERANCE
IS AVAILABLE - Written by V. Michael McKay
A
powerful Gospel altar call anthem with great dynamics which build from a soft,
light intro carried by organ, piano and sythns, poignant start, building throughout
the song as the overall dynamics swell. Great melody to support the comforting
lyrics brought to life by Vicki's wonderful vocals done with feeling, Gospel style.
Great backup choral vocals and harmonies.
Scriptural
References:(1 Peter 5:7, Matt. 11:28-30, Luke 5:12-13 & 8:44-48)
Lyrics:
So you came to this meeting / Broken and confused / Listen
to this song / for in it there is good news / Cast your cares on Jesus / Haven't
you heard all that He can do? / Deliverance is available to you/
Chorus:
Deliverance is available to you / Deliverance is available to you (to you )/ (You
should) Trust Only One / He is able to see you through / He's been waiting (He's
waiting) and wanting (He's wanting) / To work a miracle for you / Deliverance
is available to you /
Please don't leave this
meeting / Wounded and Distressed / Seize this Godly moment / Your position to
be blessed (to be blessed) / Put all your cares on Jesus / Haven't you heard all
that He can do? / Deliverance is available to you / Oh yes it is!
Chorus:
Deliverance is available to you / Deliverance is available to you / (You should)
Trust Only One / He is able ( He is able) to see you through /(Make up you mind,
Make up you mind), He's been waiting (He's waiting) and wanting (He's wanting)
/ To work a miracle for you / Deliverance is available to you / Oh yes it is!
(God's got enough power) God's got enough power in the hem of his garment / (To
satisfy) To satisfy your need / ( You must step out on His word) Step out on His
world / (You gotta Believe) Believe and you'll receive / (Freedom) Freedom for
your hurt / (Victory) Victory for your pain /
Approximate
VAMP: Deliverance is available to you / My God is most capable / He can the do
the impossible, reach the unreachable, save the unsavable, that's my God! That's
my God!
Deliverance is available to you / Deliverance
is available to you/ (doesn't matter what you've done, where you are from, who
you;ve hurt, where you've been, there's no power, no power like Jesus! )
Deliverance (Claim it) is available
/ (Speak
it) My God is most capable. Deliverance is available
to you / (You must believe it) Deliverance is available to you/ (He can do the
impossible)
It's available, it's available.
*
* * + + HERE IN THIS HOUSE - Written by Michael Popham and Regi Stone
Favorite
Worship anthem of this reviewer. Poignant, absolutely lovely worship anthem which
is contemporary with dynamic elements of Gospel, mixed creatively in the composition
and the dynamic vocals. Musical bars of a classic hymn are heard in the intro,
via horns / synths voices. Also hear it in between Chorus 1 and Verse 2 and in
the Bridge, (words and melody).
Dynamics are
glorious and add so much to the feeling and joy of the anthem. Begins with just
piano and Vicki in first verse quietly. Strings and light percussion join the
piano and vocals. Strings come in as melody support in 2nd verse. Dynamics are
glorious and add so much to the feeling and joy of the anthem. Dynamics are up
at the highest notches by the end of the second chorus through the Vamp, quieting
down through the Bridge but swell once again through the Hook. Song ends on a
peaceful, comforting note in the Tag.
Vicki
vocals and the backup choral vocals (great harmonies) build and lessen dynamically
adding emotional umph to the wonderful lyrical message with the effect of gladdening
the heart and bolstering the spirit.. A very special performance of a song which
touches the soul in the listener; (In the category of one of those heartfelt songs
which choke up this reviewer.)
Scriptural References:
(Matt 6:31-34, Phil. 4:6-8, Romans 15:13, 1 Cor.1:8-9)
Lyrics:
We've
gathered here, in faith we believe / We lift our voices, His praises we sing /
Whatever you need, my God will provide / The Father is waiting with arms open
wide //
Chorus 1: Here is this house, there
is a blessing / Here is this house, He's given a song / Here in this house refreshing
anointing / Filling our hearts with perfect love / There's mercy and grace (mercy
and grace) falling like rain / Here in this house, (Thank you Lord.)
Here in His presence, there is fullness of joy / There's peace like a river flooding
our soul / We see His glory surrounding this place. There's healing, (healing)
forgiveness (forgiveness) / Mercy and grace.
Chorus 2: Here in this house, (Here in this house), there is a blessing / Here
in this house, (Here in this house) He's given a song / Here in this house, there's
refreshing anointing / Filling our hearts with perfect love / There's mercy and
grace ( I feel it, I feel it) falling like rain /(mercy is falling like raining)
VAMP:
Here in this house, there's refreshing anointing / Filling our hearts with perfect
love / There's mercy and grace, (I feel it, I feel it) falling like rain / There's
mercy and grace, (I feel it, I feel it) falling like rain (like rain) / There's
mercy and grace, (I feel it, I feel it, I feel it, I feel it) falling like rain,(Do
you feel it?) mercy and grace!
Bridge: (Classic
hymn segment) Bridge: Come thou font of many blessings / To my heart to sing Your
praise / Streams of mercy never ceasing / Call for songs of loudest praise.
Hook:
Here in this house, there's refreshing anointing / Filling our hearts with perfect
love....
Tag: Mercy and grace, is falling like
rain.......Here in this house. Feel you Jesus, whatever
you need.
* * * + + IN THE SANCTUARY - Written
by Twila McBride-LaBar / Eulalia King
Favorite
Praise song of this reviewer. Begins with a smooth, whole sound of strings for
a few measures, then builds into a Spirit-moving, upbeat driving Praise and Worship
Gospel song which cooks along tightly with enthusiasm, done in a joyous spirit
of thanksgiving, sure to lift the spirits, boost one's coping skills for whatever
challenge one currently faces. Listener should be dancing around the around room
by the end of the first verse!
Energetic piano,
strong horn section, some funky electric guitar work joins in the fun during the
verses, light rock beat. Nice inner voices. Vicki
does a wonderful job belting out the verses and leading the chorus. She shows
her vocal range and strength of her voice. Brooklyn Tabernacle choir shines as
well.
Scriptural References:(Psalm 147:1 &
135:1, Acts 16:22-25, Is. 12:1)
Lyrics:
Chorus:
Sweet (sweet) sound in the sanctuary / (in the sanctuary) Oh, what joy can be
found in the sanctuary / (Everybody) When we clap our hands together / Sing a
song of praise / Shouting Hallelujah / Lifting up Your name / to make a sweet,
(sweet), sweet sound in the sanctuary
We come
before you, rejoicing in Your goodness and Your grace / We come before you singing
as we gather in this place / Offering up this melody, to You and You alone / Lord,
we declare Your glory / as we dance before Your throne
Chorus:
Sweet sound in the sanctuary / (Joy, joy, joy, joy) Oh,
what joy (unspeakable joy!) can be found in the sanctuary / (Everybody) When we
clap our hands together / Sing a song of praise/ Shouting Hallelujah (Shouting
Hallelujah) / Lifting up Your name / to make a sweet, sweet, sound in the sanctuary!
(sweet, sweet, sound /in the Sanctuary)
How
good it is to sing praises to your name, most high / How good it is to make music,
let our songs be your delight / And we praise them to the heavenlies, we worship
with one voice / We'll raise a mighty chorus and make a joyful noise. Chorus:
No
place like the sanctuary......Oh the sanctuary //
Bridge:
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, we give praises, We give up praises
to Your name. Hallelujah, Hallelujah, we give you praises, give up the praises,
We give up praises to Your name Hallelujah, Hallelujah,
we give you praises, shout your praises, We give up praises to Your name.....................................
Chorus:
Sweet sound in the sanctuary / (I love it, I love it) Oh, what joy can be found
(can be found) in the sanctuary / (In the holy sanctuary) When we clap our hands
together / Sing a song of praise/ Shouting out Hallelujah / Lifting up Your name
/ to make a sweet sound in the sanctuary.
VAMP:
I love it, I love it, I love it, I love it, I love it, I love it, rejoice! In
the sanctuary (Peace) In the sanctuary(Love) In the sanctuary (there's goodness)
In the sanctuary.(Unspeakable Joy) in the sanctuary. Peace of mind in the sanctuary.
Oh Yes! I love the sanctuary/ In the sanctuary, (I love it, I love it), In the
sanctuary, (I love it, I love it), In the sanctuary, (I love it, I love it) In
the sanctuary.
* * * + I'LL RUN TO YOU - Written
by Rhonda Gunn
A lovely acoustic ballad, with
touches of key synths, organ sound, prayer hymn with a fine, memorable melody,
meaningful, comforting lyrics expressing how the Lord is a very present help in
times of trouble. Vicki once again carries the message wonderfully through her
strong, expressive vocals. Lovely harmonies provided by back up vocal ensemble.
a smooth combination of Gospel and Contemporary Christian done with an acoustic
flavor. Very peaceful listening experience!
Scriptural
References:(Psalm 46:1, 1 Cor.1:8-9, Phil. 4:13, Joshua 1:9, Heb. 6:19)
Lyrics:
When
my sunlight fades / And the dark clouds shade / And all of my hope's growing dim
/ And the lonely comes calling again / You are there - / When I need to be strong
/ I reach for the arms / That carry me all the way through the storm
Chorus: I'll run to You / 'Till the rivers stop flowing / Oh You, 'till the wind
stops blowing / 'Till the season don't change and every lie becomes true - / 'Till
forever is finally through / I'll run to You
This
Life is uncertain / Hid behind a curtain / Of mystery and wondering why / But
written in between every line / You are there / When I need to rise above / I
reach for the love that I can depend on - and can trust / You're the answer to
all of my prayers.
* * * + + IN THE PRESENCE
OF JEHOVAH - Written by Geron & Becky Davis
Third
favorite Worship anthem. Glorious melody, with a hopeful message of what the Lord
offers us: an ever faithful friend who is with us in all our earthly pain, troubles.
Through our prayers, He answers our prayers and provides for our emotional, physical
and spiritual needs.
Dynamic use of piano,
strings and horns /oboe offer beautiful support of melody and Vicki's expressive
vocals. Comforting message brings peace to the listener, who may be floating around
the room in a peaceful state of mind.
Scriptural
References:(Phil. 4:6-8, 1 Peter 5:7, Romans 15:13)
Lyrics:
In and out of situations / That tug-a-war at me / All day long I struggle For
answers that I need / Then I come into His presence / All my questions become
clear And for a sacred moment / No doubt can interfere.
Chorus:
In the presence of Jehovah / God Almighty Prince of Peace / Trouble vanish hearts
are mended in the presence of the King
Through
His love the Lord provided / A place for us to rest / A place to find the answers
/ In hours of distress / There is never any reason / To give up in despair / Just
slip away and breathe His name / He will come and meet you there.
Chorus:
In the presence of Jehovah / God Almighty Prince of Peace / Trouble vanish hearts
are mended in the presence of the King
* *
* + AT YOUR FEET - Written by Michael Popham and Regi Stone
Another
lovely contemporary worship prayer hymn with Gospel umph mixed nicely into the
composition and vocals. Song has a pleasing melody carried by the strong vocals,
supported with a variety of instruments including acoustic guitar, piano, electrical
guitar, strings. Dynamics are effective, swelling at the proper moments in the
composition and vocals, brought lovingly to the recording by Vicki and choral
singers, making it a very nice love letter to the Lord.
Scriptural
References:(Romans 15:16, Hebrews 13:15-18, 7:27, Matt. 6:33, Ephesians 5:1-2)Lyrics:
Chorus:
Oh, that I may know you / Oh, that I may worship / Oh, that I may bow down at
your feet / All I have to offer / All I have to give you / Ev'rything I lay here
at your feet / Oh, that I may know you / Oh that I may worship you / Oh, that
I may bow down at your feet / Let my sacrifices,
let my heart of worship / Let the praise I lay here at your feet / Be a holy fragrance
in this sanctuary / Only You are worthy of my praise
I will worship / I will worship / I will worship / I will worship you, Lord
Oh,
that I may know you / Oh, that I may worship / Oh, that I may bow down at your
feet / All I have to offer / All I have to give you / Ev'rything I lay here at
your feet / Let my sacrifices, let my heart of worship / Let the praise I lay
here at your feet / Be a holy fragrance in this sanctuary / Only You are worthy
of my praise
I will worship / I will worship
you, Lord
* * * + + HE'S BEEN FAITHFUL - Words
and Music by Carolyn Cymbala
2nd favorite Worship
anthem of this reviewer. Vicki and The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir hold forth in
this glorious Praise and Worship anthem, a powerful listening experience, a testimony
to the faithfulness of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Vicki put her heart
and soul into this vocal presentation, which was most enjoyable and uplifting.
Can't feel sorry for yourself after listening to this song - Causes the listener
to be grateful for how faithful the Lord has been in his or her life.
Being
written in 3/4 meter gives this composition a lovely musical flow to go along
with another beautiful melody. Begins intro measures with a full orchestra sound,
segues down to a much more quieter, personal feeling by the first verse, via a
horn and oboe with strings in background; (Listen hard and a variation of a few
bars of GREAT IS THY FAITHFULNESS is heard here and in other places in the composition).
Strings and piano offer fine support to the poignant vocals. Composition and the
vocals build nicely through the song. I love the musical segue from Chorus 2 which
builds into the spine chilling, full choir harmonic sound in the Bridge;
first two stanzas of the chorus from the classic hymn, GREAT
IS THY FAITHFULNESS, which is the punctuation point of the message of this song.
Vicki
Comments: "HE'S BEEN FAITHFUL" has been my favorite song for 18 years, and after
the last year, when give the chance to record it, I just had to. I love that song."
Scriptural References:(1 Cor. 1:9, 2nd Cor.
4:8-10, Psalms. 57:3 & 46:1, 2nd Thess. 3:3)
Lyrics:
In
my moments of fear / Through every pain and every tear / There's a God whose been
faithful to me / When my strength was all gone / And when my heart had no song
still / He was faithful to me / Every word He promised, is true (Oh, yes it is)
/ And what I thought was impossible / I see my God do.
Chorus 1: He's been faithful, faithful to me (He's been faithful) / Looking back,
Your love and mercy I see (mercy I see) / In my heart, I questioned your will
/ And I failed to believe / BUT You've been faithful, faithful to me.
When
my heart looked away / The many times I could not pray / still in love my God,
He proved faithful to me / The days I spent so selfishly, reaching out for what
pleased me / Still in love You proved faithful to me / Every time I go back to
Him / Don't you know, He's waiting with open arms and I see once again
Chorus
2: He's been faithful, faithful to me (He's been faithful) / Looking back, Your
love and mercy, Your love and mercy I see (mercy I see) Your love and mercy I
see / Many times in my life, Lord, I questioned your will / And I failed to believe
/ But You've been faithful, faithful (faithful) to me.
Bridge:
Great is THY Faithfulness, Great is THY Faithfulness, morning by morning (morning
by morning) new mercies I see!
Chorus He's
been faithful, faithful to me (He's been faithful) / Just looking back, Your love
and mercy I see (mercy I see) Your love and mercy I see / Many times in my life,
Lord, I questioned your will / And I failed to believe / But please God, You've
been faithful, faithful to me.
Approx. Vamp:
Even when friends and the world may turn their back on me, Lord you promised me
that You would always turn. You've been faithful,
In the darkest night, when everything gone wrong, You've faithfulness gave me
a song, You've been faithful to me.
TAG: Lord
You've been faithful, faithful to me. Great is Thy faithfulness, Great is Thy
faithfulness, Thy faithfulness to me
* * *
+ INCREASE ME - Written by Derick Thomas
A
moving, dynamic prayer hymn with a light easy beat, done Gospel style by two very
talented Gospel performers. Both give it their all, an enjoyable song. Each take
a turn with the verse, sing together in the chorus. Well done musical support.
Vocals
by Alvin Slaughter and Vicki Yohe
Scriptural
References:(Prov. 10:22, Heb. 13:5-6, Joshua 1:9)
Lyrics:
This
is my prayer that you would bless me / This is my prayer that your hand be with
me / This is my prayer from evil you'd keep me…Lord (oh yeah) / This is my prayer
that it would not grieve me / Enlarge my territory
Chorus: No Limits, no boundaries / I see increase all around me / Stretch forth,
break forth / Release me, enlarge my territory / No limits / Can you see it /
No limits / Can you feel it / No Limits / Can you see it / No Limits / Go and
Get it / Can you see it, No limits
This is
my prayer that you would bless me / This is my prayer that your hand be with me
/ This is my prayer from evil you'd keep me…Lord (oh yeah) / This is my prayer
that it would not grieve me / Enlarge my territory
Chorus:
No Limits, no boundaries / I see increase all around me / Stretch forth, break
forth / Release me, enlarge my territory / No limits / Can you see it / No limits
/ Can you feel it / No Limits / Can you see it / No Limits / Go and Get it / Can
you see it, No limits 4x
* * * + I SIMPLY LOVE
YOU - Written by Jeff Freemason / Twila McBride-LaBar
Second
half of the song which was the intro. This part of the song ends the album very
nicely. The lyrics especially fit the thoughts and feelings of the listener and
this reviewer after experiencing the collection of songs beforehand.
Scriptural
References:(Luke 10:27, Deut.6:5, 1 Thess.16-18, Psalm 100:2, John 4:21-24)
Lyrics:
Affection
that I feel for you / Makes worship overflow / I could fill the deepest oceans
/ With emotions of my soul / My heart expands to hold the love / I long to share
with you / These words are true expressions of / Thanks for all You do
Chorus: I simply love You, I love You/ What more can I say to try to convey /
That I love You, I love You.
Reviewed by Julie
Carr for ChristianMusic.com
