Reviewed by Tony Cummings

Of all of America's high profile worship leaders, probably the one with little or no reputation as a worship COMPOSER is Lindell Cooley. His presence as worship leader at one of the spiritual epicentres of modern church history - the Brownsville Assemblies Of God, Pensacola - has ensured his prominence while his gutsy, blue eyed soul voice - he was a CCM artist before receiving the call to local church worship leading - makes him one of the best vocalists in contemporary worship. Now, a new songwriting partnership with another talented veteran with experience in both worship and CCM, Lenny LeBlanc, means that 'Open Up The Sky' is probably Lindell's best ever album. It's still a live recording and it's still bluesy pop rock heavily reliant on Lindell's warbling Hammond, stabs of hot electric guitar and an aggregation of brothers and sisters able to do the bluesy gospel choir stuff. But now there's a freshness about the material with the lovely Cooley/LeBlanc worshipful ballad "Your Mercy Goes Much Deeper", one of the most powerfully anointed songs and recordings you're likely to hear. And it lasts for over 11 minutes! Buy with confidence.

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