Reviewed by Simon Redfern

Recorded live in Jerusalem in 1995 with over 3000 worshippers from 14+ countries, this DVD is the visual version of the CD album of the same name. Respected Messianic worship leader Paul Wilbur brings us a whopping 17 tracks with a huge live band, substantial choir backing as well as dancers and instrumental soloists. With such a large crew on board, it could be a difficult task to pull this all together successfully but he seems to have done it pretty well. There's some excellent production both visually and musically as you would hope with Don Moen on board, although I have to note that members of the amassed worshippers filmed doing what looked like the conga round the arena did give me the odd chuckle! The songs do follow a distinctly Old Testament theme with much taken from the Psalms and only a light sprinkling of Messianic message in the mix. There's a good mix of lively praise in songs such as "I Lift Up My Eyes" and "Sing For Joy" to the more relaxing "Where Does My Help Come From", but whichever track you may be watching/listening to, you are left in no doubt regarding the roots of the music. The band are excellent and highly accomplished with stunning solos on the violin and flute, the style of which highlights the distinctly Jewish origins of the music. The only thing that may lose some is the interweaving of Hebrew lyrics with the English. A well produced DVD but one which is likely to mainly appeal to a specialist audience.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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