Reviewed by Mike Rimmer

The legendary Mighty Clouds Of Joy's newest offering has all the hallmarks of a classic album and 'Power' is just that, an album that inspires and lifts. Joe Ligon's lead singing is as passionate as ever and there are some real gems here. After the Doug Williams' penned "In God's Will" opens the album in mellow fashion, "Power Of The Holy Ghost" is a traditional gospel thumper which ups the tempo and finds the groove. Also on the mellow side is "Nearer My God To Thee" which has Ligon doing some good old fashioned testifying, moaning and singing, all of which adds up to seven minutes of Heaven! And that's the pattern for the album, old fashioned gospel groovers like "What A Wonderful God" and the ballads like James Cleveland's "I've Been In The Storm Too Long". There are a couple of surprises; Russ Taff's "We Will Stand" is gospelised! But that's nothing compared to what they've done to poor old Van Morrison's "Have I Told You Lately" which has been transformed from tender boy/girl love song into "Have I Told Him Lately". A song of love to God! Call the taste police! Some things are best left well alone! Apart from that, this is everything you could possibly want in a gospel album.

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