Micah StampleyLove Never Fails
Motown Gospel (release date: November 11, 2013)
By Bob Marovich for The Black Gospel Blog
The mutual love between God and humanity is the dominant expression of Love Never Fails, Micah Stampley’s new album and first for Motown Gospel.
Eleven tracks, many of them written or co-written by Stampley and wife Heidi, explore this universal theme from P&W, inspirational, and gospel perspectives. The P&W pieces are thunderous and upbeat if conventional, though Stampley’s cover of “Our God,” which opens with captivating harmonies courtesy of Adam Stampley and Micah Stampley II, has the sweeping grandeur characteristic of other work by CCM talent Chris Tomlin, who wrote the song with Jesse Reeves, Jonas Myrin, and Matt Redman.
Album selections with real zest are those with audible gospel DNA, notably “Zion” and the title track, a seven minute duet with label mate Sheri Jones-Moffett. Stampley and Jones-Moffett’s intense expressiveness builds to a triumphant conclusion that qualifies this song easily as one of the year’s ten best.
The exquisitely delicate “Untitled Hymn (Come to Jesus)” is another album highlight. Chris Rice’s poetic lyrics coupled with an equally deft melody rendered soothingly by Stampley make this an ideal accompaniment to altar call. The Secret Garden/Josh Groban classic “You Raise Me Up” puts a fine point to the music and the message.
Although Stampley is bettter known as a gospel crooner in the mode of Earnest Pugh, he shouts on the fervent P&W songs. Still, less is more, and the singer is at his finest with minimal accompaniment, as on the piano-led “Untitled Hymn.”
Love Never Fails benefits from gifted production by Aaron Lindsey and a cast of musicians that includes Asaph Ward on keys, J. Drew Sheard on drums, and an honest-to-God brass section.
Four of Five Stars
Pick: “Love Never Fails,” “Untitled Hymn.”
Written by : Bob Marovich
Bob Marovich is a gospel music historian, author, and radio host. Founder of Journal of Gospel Music blog (formally The Black Gospel Blog) and producer of the Gospel Memories Radio Show.
Visit Today : 408
This Month : 27649