Byron Cage’s debut for GospoCentric comes to life on VHS / DVD with his self-titled live recording.

Cage’s project, released as CD in the Spring of 2003 (see album review), has gained attention both for its song arrangements and choruses and for Cage’s ability to bring the listener into the inner court in worship of the Almighty, so evident on the disk.

Seeing the visual component of what is already familiar on the audio compounds the delight.

While the setting is the expansive New Birth Cathedral in Atlanta, Georgia, the stage arrangements maintains the sense of intimacy important for a praise and worship project. Cage is surrounded on nearly all sides by band and vocalists, as he take the mic to as worship leader and artist.

Jaffa Breedlove’s video direction puts the camera focus squarely on Cage, as he alternates between exhortation and vocal praise, putting the accent on congregational encouragement. It’s hard not to lift your hands in praise with him, joining with the crew of backing vocalists behind him, under the direction of Kurt Carr.

Things begin with the upbeat “Magnify Him” and move to a melodic medley comprised of several of Cage’s hits from the past (“Glory Song”, “Yet Praise Him”, “Shabach”). The second medley in the set —this one filled with new songs and choruses —is equally brilliant.

Then “Thou Art A Shield For Me” is delivered at full force, with powerful group vocals and equally potent band power (Maurice Fitzgerald, Terry Baker, Vanessa Brown, Jonathan Dubose, David Blakely, Kevin Stancil) expressing the awe of knowing the care and concern that our Creator has for each of us.

On the old school, organ-filled “Never Too Busy” from the pen of Brent Jones, there’s an extra bonus. You don’t hear this on the CD, but the video cameras keep rolling as Cage segues into Donnie Harper’s popular chorus “Praise Him”, with the entire entourage upping the musical ante into a tour-de-force of praise power.

Concluding with “Still Say Yes” and the hit song “The Presence Of The Lord Is Here” (which brings in Maurice Culpepper and Friends for extra vocal oomph), the Byron Cage video experience stays burned in memory and in spirit for a long, long time.