GospelFlava.com - Reviews - Lakewood Church (We Speak to Nations)

Lakewood Church
We Speak to Nations

We speak to nations
Be opened
We speak to nations
Fall on your knees
We speak to nations
The Kingdom near to you

—from "We Speak To Nations"

Praise and worship music has been on the rise in the past few years, with many Gospel and CCM artists now recording total praise and worship albums. Both black and white churches are starting to sing many of the same songs.

Enter Israel Hougton, whose New Breed sound and New Season album has done what many artists have not— crossed cultural, musical and denominational barriers. There were many different styles of music on New Season, included salsa, Gospel, acoustic praise and worship, soul and contemporary pop/rock (see album review)

This is relevant because Houghton lends his voice and production talent to We Speak to Nations, a remarkable live recording birthed out of Houston’s mega Lakewood Church, pastored by Joel Osteen.

Houghton serves as Co-Praise and Worship leader alongside Lakewood’s own Cindy Cruse-Ratcliff. One might suspect that two people leading would be a clash, but their chemisty together only adds to the project. Houghton tends to take more of a backup role to Cruse-Ratcliff; both are supported by background vocalists and the church choir (directed by New Life Community Choir alumnus, Dakri Brown).

Cindy Cruse-Ratcliff

If you’re looking for an album filled with scats and vocal acrobatics, then this isn’t it. But if you want an awesome praise and worship experience that expresses the joy of a vertical relationship with God, then “We Speak to Nations” is yours.

With one exception, every song was penned by Cruse-Ratcliff and Houghton.

“Highly Exalted” and “All About You” are those high energy praise songs packed with a wide of array of instruments that will have you shouting for joy. The Nashville String Machine lends support, as do a crew of horn specialists, along with Aaron Lindsey on keyboard duty.

Alvin Slaughter lends his baritone vocals to the mid-tempo “We’ve Come To Worship You”. Check out the chorus:

Father receive our worship
Father receive this offering
Lord we agree that You are worthy
That’s why we give you everything

Cruse-Ratcliff beautifully sends us into worship with “Everything”, a song featuring piano and a soft horn arrangements. Then on “Show Me Your Glory”, Cruse-Ratcliff gets so caught up that she has to start the song again. When she finally sings the song, the beautiful arrangement and lyrics makes one realize why she was so overwhelmed.

Israel Houghton

Lakewood is a very mission-oriented church. The title track, written by Houghton, helps to convey the burden that is on its heart as Cruse-Ratcliff sings lead, backed by effects and keyboard.

Lakewood is also a multiracial, multi-cultural church and that representation is highlighted with an appearance by Marcos Witt. He duets with Cruse-Ratliff on Dennis Jurnigen’s “Who Can Satisfy” and also on “Sing Allelujah”. Both songs are sung in English and Spanish.

Then there’s also the pumping “Gloria”, which is infectious with its salsa vibe. Throw in some Spanish horns, great percussion, some Spanish ad libs from Houghton and you have a winner.

We Speak to Nations is an album that is sure make waves in churches across the globe, as no doubt, there will be many digging into the album for its treasured material.

Gospel music fans who love praise and worship, pick this one up and get ready to go into God’s presence. Gloria!!

Producer: Israel Houghton album release date: May 28, 2002
Hosannah Music

— reviewed by Dwayne Lacy —