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Joel Osteen presents Free To Worship

Things are going very well for Pastor Joel Osteen. His books frequently rank near the top of Best Sellers Lists, he leads the biggest church in America and maintains that smile and a message for the everyday man.

CDNow with Free To Worship, his church choir and worship team releases a project featuring an all-star cast of worship leaders including: Cindy Cruse Ratliff, Steve Crawford and Da'Dra Crawford Greathouse (of Anointed) and Israel Houghton.

"Everywhere I Go" is an upbeat and fun song, written by Israel and Cruse Ratliff, that will brings joy and hope to those who listen. Steve Crawford leads it with sheer passion and charisma.

Houghton's "Still Standing" gets remixed a little with a hint of "On Christ the Solid Rock I Stand" added to the vamp. The horn section, Javier Solis' percussion and Michael Hodge's guitar work helps to put a different spin on this one.

Steve Crawford and Da'Dra Crawford Greathouse have a vocal chemistry that only siblings possess. They showcase this beautifully on "Always Welcome" while the added strings bring this song up another notch musically. Cruse Ratliff writes and leads an instant worship classic, "Love So Amazing"; she has an ability to reach the hearts of the people with her voice. "Your Love" has that Hillsongs feel mixed with what is now becoming the "Lakewood sound" (the group has previously released projects under the Lakewood Church name; see We Speak To Nations and Cover The Earth).

Photo Gallery
Photos Check out the live recording of this album, in images.

Photo Gallery of Live Recording

The title track is a standout ballad led by Crawford Greathouse, who also co-writes with Israel. She sings of how lies and fear have kept her from a intimate relationship with the Lord, and how she is now redeemed and not afraid to be in His presence. The choir does a stellar job, and you may just find yourself stuck on this cut.

Lakewood is a multi-racial and multi-generational church, so it is only fitting that they included the timeless hymn, "It Is Well" in a medley that includes "Mighty To Save" and "At The Cross" (from Hillsongs).

Some more Israel and New Breed songs appear as Houghton fittingly leads "Turn Around" as the crowd goes wild, while Steve Crawford leads "Favor". Together with choir and band, they flat out kill this one!!

Free To Worship is a project worth buying. In short order, you will find that you too are free to express your love for God.



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Production: Various
album release date: November, 2007
independent


— reviewed by Dwayne Lacy



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