STYLE: Gospel RATING OUR PRODUCT CODE: 95992-18729 LABEL: Entertainment One Music KOC-CD-5103 FORMAT: CD Album ITEMS: 2 RELEASE DATE: 2011-10-03 RRP: £9.99
Reviewed by Doug Holland
McDowell has produced a pretty much perfect gospel worship album here, combining as it does top quality songs (almost all McDowell's own work) with sweet performance and expert production. Recorded live at The Gathering Place Worship Centre, Orlando, Florida back in 2009 and subsequently a huge success thanks to the viral hit "I Give Myself Away", this is a collection offering over 90 minutes (21 tracks) of the highest calibre of gospel material which, even for someone with only a passing interest in the genre cannot fail to connect. The real genius is the breadth of the material, moving way beyond the standard song of adoration (which is frequently mistakenly offered alone to represent worship of God) and dealing with the subject in its fullness. Unsurprisingly, there is a large cast of supporting singers and musicians, but at no point is there any danger of the music becoming an end in itself, as McDowell guides on a journey of exploration of worship, managing to engage us and at the same time step out of the way to allow the listener their own direct route to the recipient of the worship. Top stuff.
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Product Description
William currently serves as the Worship Pastor at The Gathering Place Worship Centre in Lake Mary, Florida, alongside Pastor Sam Hinn. As a Music Minister and worship leader, William has led worship over the last 10 years in multicultural settings that have crossed racial and denominational barriers, leading audiences large and small, both young and old into the experience of God’s presence.
He has ministered in churches and conferences all over the United States and in several countries across the globe as the Music Director and keyboardist for Dr. Ron Kenoly. Because of his diverse ministry background, William is able to embrace all cultures and types of people, finding a common ground or “place of entry” as he calls it, for everyone.