Helen Baylor - Highly Recommended

Sunday 1st July 1990
Helen Baylor - Highly Recommended
Helen Baylor - Highly Recommended

STYLE: Gospel
RATING 6 6 6 6 6 6
OUR PRODUCT CODE: 5130-952
LABEL: Word 7019112609
FORMAT: CD Album
ITEMS: 1
RRP: £10.99

Reviewed by Robin Budgell

With a title like that, I could perhaps be forgiven for having great expectations. And in one sense, I wasn't disappointed. This, the first offering from a lady whose voice only hints at immense depth and almost Franklin-esque richness, is beautifully produced, glossily packaged and highly accessible to most audiences. So why the slight feeling of anti-climax? Maybe it's just that one can have too much of a good thing. There are, quite simply, a lot of good soul voices around in Christian music; Helen's has polish and promise but never quite delivers anything memorable.  Couple that with lyrics like "Give your heart to Jesus/Jesus is the only way", and the songs start to go in one ear and out the other. To be fair, it's the ballads which have this effect rather than more gutsy cuts like "Temporary Pain" and the title song, which is rhythmically, if not lyrically, head and shoulders above the rest of the album. Otherwise it is all too possible to forget what you're listening to. And maybe that is, in itself, a tribute to how far Christian music has progressed in the last 20 years. This would sit happily as background to an evening with friends, whatever their beliefs.

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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Reader Comments

Posted by Don in state of Delaware @ 19:13 on Dec 1 2011

I had heard the fantastic title song "Highly Recommended"; I was so taken by it immediately.
What a seed of song for Helen to plant at her initial start in the gospel/ccm world: I cannot imagine the bumper crop it produced afterwards, even up til now! I also have a live concert clip of Helen singing the song; what a nice keepsake to recall and review now and again. This song is a pick-me-upper song!
If you haven't heard this song, you are missing out!GOD Bless!- Don



Posted by Charles Edwin Mensah in Italy @ 23:36 on Nov 1 2007

Helen all that I can say is God richly bless you for the good job you are doing being able to affect ganeration of today.

Please one mor thing if you can do me a fovor which is to send me the lyrics of highly recommended I`ll be much greatful in other to teach our church choir, thanks for your understanding.



Posted by Charles in Italy @ 17:48 on Nov 1 2007

I`m a choir director and I would like to receive te HIGHLY RECOMMANDED lyrics because I couldn`t take it from the net.
Thanks for you understanding.



Posted by Colleen Speaight in Norfolk Va. @ 18:39 on Jun 29 2006

When thinking of a great gospel singer Helen Baylor is "Highly Recommended" I find her music anointed, moving, and her lyrics make you soul search--all that Blessed Gospel Music is compel to do to move you in the present of God--Keep on blessing us Helen- you are winning souls to Christ, and thats the Highest Recommendation needed..



Posted by Jenelle @ 06:26 on Oct 12 2005

I have to totally disagree with you. I think tath Helen Baylor has the most outstanding voice period. Be it Gospel or Secular. Her climax is just right it isn't too strong which often sounds like a bunch of yelling, she is singing, not showing us how loud she can get.

I give her an 11 out of 10



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