Dave's Review

Label: Cathedral Records
Producer: Roger Talley

Ivan Parker offers a diverse range of styles on his newest project Be Blessed. Listen for some brass horn licks on the opening title track. After hearing the supporting vocals of Chris Allman, John Rowsey, and Eric Bennett on the upbeat "Forever Redeemed" and "I Love Living For The Lord," you’ll be wishing Parker was with four part quartet again. "I Rose To Riches" is a powerful anthem arrangement. "Precious Jesus" has an easy going quality with light jazz piano comments echoing each phrase. The scene shifts to a "Big Country FM" sound for "Everybody Praise The Lord." Most of the other tunes take the anthem route.

Parker has a good solo project in Be Blessed. Although none of these songs are going to surpass his signature, "Midnight Cry," Be Blessed still contains some very ear-worthy material.

by David Bruce Murray