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1. Into My Heart / Fairest Lord Jesus
2. How Deep The Father's Love For Us
3. You Deliver Me
4. Hosanna
5. Standing On The Promises (Medley)
6. The Lord's Prayer (Deliver Us)
7. Beautiful Terrible Cross
8. Unredeemed
2. How Deep The Father's Love For Us
3. You Deliver Me
4. Hosanna
5. Standing On The Promises (Medley)
6. The Lord's Prayer (Deliver Us)
7. Beautiful Terrible Cross
8. Unredeemed
You Deliver Me
[Release Date: August 25, 2009] (Curb Records)
Track Listing:
Track Listing:
9. My Jesus I Love Thee
10. I Have Decided To Follow Jesus
11. Glory To His Name
12. Depth Of Mercy
13. I Surrender All
14. God Be With You
15. I Will Carry You (Audrey's Song)
10. I Have Decided To Follow Jesus
11. Glory To His Name
12. Depth Of Mercy
13. I Surrender All
14. God Be With You
15. I Will Carry You (Audrey's Song)
 | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  |
4.0 out of 4
2.5 out of 3
1.5 out of 2
0.7 out of 1
8.7 out of 10
Message
Music
Production
Creativity
Overall Score
| 87% B+ |
It’s been just a little over three years since the Dove-award winning group Selah released
their last studio album, Bless the Broken Road: The Duets Album and during that time, it
has been one of waiting, joy and devastation. Dubbed as their most personal album to
date, the release of You Deliver Me comes in a time of healing for the group as well as
one of homage to their 1999 debut, Be Still My Soul.
The album’s song selection features a lot of what we have come to expect from the
group, covering hymns and worship songs alike. I think one of the tracks that really
stuck out to me first would be the “Standing on the Promises Medley”. I am so used to
listening to Southern Gospel music, thanks to my wife Shannon, that it was one I
immediately found myself singing along to. The Medley features bits of “Standing…”
along with “Leaning on the Everlasting Arms” and “Are You Washed in the Blood?”, two
of my all-time favorite hymns. “Glory to His Name” later on in the album is another
example of this style, flaired with a little country for fun!
The title track “You Deliver Me”, which was written by a good friend of Allan, seems to
be a fitting anthem for the album. It’s pure worshipfulness and poise as a cry to God is
amazing! No matter where we are in life, no matter the problems we face, it’s
encouraging to know that through it all the Lord delivers us! The message found in “The
Lord’s Prayer (Deliver Us)” is similar and I think complements it with its beautifully
performed rendition of the scripture found in Matthew 6:9-13.
As equally impressive is the group’s cover of the immensely popular worship song,
“Hosanna” (written by Brooke Ligertwood-Fraser of Hillsong fame), which in a few
short years has become one of those most covered songs in Christian music. This has
become one of my favorite worship songs, and as indicated with its continuous
coverage, a lot of artists and fans agree.
“Beautiful Terrible Cross” seems to be a contradiction in itself. One would ask the
question, what is beautiful about a cross that our Lord and Savior was crucified on? I
can say that as agonizing as it is to think about it, the love that God showed through
Christ’ crucifixion is both beautiful, and at the same time terrible. The difference was
that through that beautiful, terrible cross, God’s love, grace and adoration for His
creation was forever displayed. Something I’ll never forget or take for granted.
The most emotional and personal track and the one that closes out the album, “I Will
Carry You (Audrey’s Song)” had me wiping tears from my eyes! The story behind the
song is something that only God could have orchestrated. In early 2008, Todd and his
wife Angie received news that the child she was carrying, whom they had named Audrey
Caroline would probably not make it to birth. And if she did, she would not live long
afterwards. Their doctors went as far as suggesting abortion, but they knew no matter
what the outcome, that they would put their full faith in trust in God. When Audrey was
born, the Lord allowed her to be with Todd, Angie and family for about two and half
hours, before going home to Him. Todd’s testimony of the situation speaks volumes,
portraying a man who lets God have control of the circumstances, and praises Him still
in a dark hour. The press release for the album best describes the emotion in that time…
“When Audrey came out, we got to hear her cry, which we thought we would never get
to do,” reveals Todd. “And I got to see her move just a little… She lived for about two-
and-a-half hours, and never gasped for breath. There was no screaming. It was just so
peaceful. In fact, it was the most peaceful day I’ve ever experienced in my life.”
After listening to the song, I was almost devastated myself from the story. I have three
children myself and had I ever been in this situation, I thought to myself… What would I
do? What would you do? Everything happens for a reason, I tell myself. Listening to
this album really got me thinking. It was encouraging to me. I think it will be too to
those who listen for themselves.
Closing Thoughts:
I was not too familiar with Selah before listening to You Deliver Me, so I went back and
listened to some of their early work and I am convinced that the new record is among
their best. Selah fans won’t be disappointed with You Deliver Me and I think most will
find common ground in their songs and messages. This album was an enjoyment to
listen to, and was encouraging to me reminding me that God is there every step of the
way… no matter what the circumstances!
their last studio album, Bless the Broken Road: The Duets Album and during that time, it
has been one of waiting, joy and devastation. Dubbed as their most personal album to
date, the release of You Deliver Me comes in a time of healing for the group as well as
one of homage to their 1999 debut, Be Still My Soul.
The album’s song selection features a lot of what we have come to expect from the
group, covering hymns and worship songs alike. I think one of the tracks that really
stuck out to me first would be the “Standing on the Promises Medley”. I am so used to
listening to Southern Gospel music, thanks to my wife Shannon, that it was one I
immediately found myself singing along to. The Medley features bits of “Standing…”
along with “Leaning on the Everlasting Arms” and “Are You Washed in the Blood?”, two
of my all-time favorite hymns. “Glory to His Name” later on in the album is another
example of this style, flaired with a little country for fun!
The title track “You Deliver Me”, which was written by a good friend of Allan, seems to
be a fitting anthem for the album. It’s pure worshipfulness and poise as a cry to God is
amazing! No matter where we are in life, no matter the problems we face, it’s
encouraging to know that through it all the Lord delivers us! The message found in “The
Lord’s Prayer (Deliver Us)” is similar and I think complements it with its beautifully
performed rendition of the scripture found in Matthew 6:9-13.
As equally impressive is the group’s cover of the immensely popular worship song,
“Hosanna” (written by Brooke Ligertwood-Fraser of Hillsong fame), which in a few
short years has become one of those most covered songs in Christian music. This has
become one of my favorite worship songs, and as indicated with its continuous
coverage, a lot of artists and fans agree.
“Beautiful Terrible Cross” seems to be a contradiction in itself. One would ask the
question, what is beautiful about a cross that our Lord and Savior was crucified on? I
can say that as agonizing as it is to think about it, the love that God showed through
Christ’ crucifixion is both beautiful, and at the same time terrible. The difference was
that through that beautiful, terrible cross, God’s love, grace and adoration for His
creation was forever displayed. Something I’ll never forget or take for granted.
The most emotional and personal track and the one that closes out the album, “I Will
Carry You (Audrey’s Song)” had me wiping tears from my eyes! The story behind the
song is something that only God could have orchestrated. In early 2008, Todd and his
wife Angie received news that the child she was carrying, whom they had named Audrey
Caroline would probably not make it to birth. And if she did, she would not live long
afterwards. Their doctors went as far as suggesting abortion, but they knew no matter
what the outcome, that they would put their full faith in trust in God. When Audrey was
born, the Lord allowed her to be with Todd, Angie and family for about two and half
hours, before going home to Him. Todd’s testimony of the situation speaks volumes,
portraying a man who lets God have control of the circumstances, and praises Him still
in a dark hour. The press release for the album best describes the emotion in that time…
“When Audrey came out, we got to hear her cry, which we thought we would never get
to do,” reveals Todd. “And I got to see her move just a little… She lived for about two-
and-a-half hours, and never gasped for breath. There was no screaming. It was just so
peaceful. In fact, it was the most peaceful day I’ve ever experienced in my life.”
After listening to the song, I was almost devastated myself from the story. I have three
children myself and had I ever been in this situation, I thought to myself… What would I
do? What would you do? Everything happens for a reason, I tell myself. Listening to
this album really got me thinking. It was encouraging to me. I think it will be too to
those who listen for themselves.
Closing Thoughts:
I was not too familiar with Selah before listening to You Deliver Me, so I went back and
listened to some of their early work and I am convinced that the new record is among
their best. Selah fans won’t be disappointed with You Deliver Me and I think most will
find common ground in their songs and messages. This album was an enjoyment to
listen to, and was encouraging to me reminding me that God is there every step of the
way… no matter what the circumstances!
Review Written By: Jay Heilman [jay.heilman@christianmusicreview.org] Date Written: August 17, 2009
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