Jazzy Vocals Paired With Sometimes Acoustic/Sometimes Electr
Encompassed Runner | Florida, USA | 10/06/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Now this is different! SPEAK is a fun, hip, and uplifting album with a serious message that pierces poetically rather than in your face. No weak songs in the bunch.:
1. "I Am New" - jazzy, swinging celebration with acoustic guitar, harmonica, cello, drums
2. "Lost at Sea" - electric and rocking, yet with the jazzy vocals, both spoken and in melody with the occasional surprise high note
3. "Fence Riders" - yet another song to dance to: "...Can I sing about your maker and have you not roll your eyes...I know it don't make sense to those who ride the fence/But I'm sold out to Christ..."
4. "Dearly Loved" - the first slow song, and a WOW of one at that as somehow Needham manages to exhort us to leave sin in a ballad that comes off as pure horizontal love rather than condemnation: "...It's worth it brothers and it's worth it friends..." (strings, acoustic guitar)
5. "For Freedom" - more great poetry and modern jazz
6. "Speak" - no jazz here, this title cut conveys a powerful message on the Great Commission (electic and acoustic)
7. "You Make Me Sing" - another upbeat tune
8. "Wake Up" - a call to service and abundant living
9. "Regardless" - about choosing obedience thru lyrics based on the trials of Job and Daniel's fiery furnace (electirc)
10. "Stand on Grace" - slow and simple
11. "The Gospel" - slow acoustic
12. "Benediction" - Whoa, what a conclusion: no music; just bold, rhythmic spoken word; powerful poem to evoke repentance and trust.
Enjoy, this is a fun CD. (Also, lyrics are scripturally sound with verse citations on liner notes to give background to each song.)"
Wonderful. Beautiful, way to go Jimmy
JesusGirl33 | God's Place | 09/05/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Wow!! that is all I can say! This album is so fresh that i can still feel the warmth listening to it after i obtained his first release almost a year ago! I LOVE IT!! Jimmy has amazing talent and his passion to share Christ is phenominal! Pure emotion is poured into every song Jimmy has wrote~!God Bless You Jimmy ! If you want to buy an album you won't be disappointed in, if you want to hear music that uplifts your soul, if you want pure AWESOMENESS............... i'd recommend this !"
A Wonderful Surprise
K. Paulson | IL USA | 03/16/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I stumbled across Jimmy Needham as I was browsing through a christian music site. He is indeed a wonderful surprise. Strong lyrics. Strong voice. Love the music. I compare him to my pastor, who is a man of God, preaching the Word without apology. Jimmy does this in his songs. I'm buying two more of his albums to give as gifts."
Is it just me, or is this great?
Tom F. Dellamoretta | 08/18/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"It's great! I sampled this album somewhere and thought -'this sounds really fresh' - wow, what an understatement. Jimmy sings with passion, and honesty and a straightforward blues/pop sound that I just haven't heard in this genre. Kudos to the producer for not succumbing to the wall of sound style of production and instead embracing a 'live' sounding, spontaneous feeling. From toe-tapping, to a rockier rough edge, to a soulfull ballad Jimmy sounds surprisingly mature, and very comfortable with his vocals.
Keep your style and approach Jimmy, don't let the big wheels tell you how to do it, cause you're doing fine."
What a find this is!
Freddy | 04/25/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Found out about Jimmy after he opened for Natalie Grant. Ended up buying Speak and pre-ordering his new one due out 8/08. He performed several songs from this with just an acoustic guitar, and what incredible energy he has! This CD is faithful to that talent, displaying a variety of tempos and styles, held together with an honest, fresh Gospel message presented in a relevant, contemporary way. Can't go wrong with this one."