Driving down the highway, It jumped out and caught my eye. Painted there in neon green, Well it couldn't be denied. Just two simple words On that bridge for all to see... "Jesus Saves"
The title track of Greg Long's Jesus Saves is an infectious, musical roller coaster ride that invites the listener to "take a look" at the truth of Christianity, and exhorts believers to "put aside things that only cloud the mind" and divert us from our true mission of reaching the lost, and proclaiming the unadulterated truth - that Jesus truly does save. Unfortunately, the rest of the album fails to live up to the high standard of the title track; but there are several excellent musical moments.
Long tries to cover a lot of musical ground here, with styles ranging from the funky guitar licks of "Jesus Saves" to the emotional, gut-wrenching song of the Savior's crucifixion on "Man Of Sorrows." The majestic "Mercy Said No," could easily have been a huge, Steve Green- or Sandi Patty-style production, but is given a slightly less dramatic reading here, and it works well with Long's slightly thinner voice, although I found myself longing (no pun intended) for a big choir to back Long up when he hits the high point:
Mercy said, "No, I'm not gonna let you go. I'm not gonna let you slip away. You don't have to be afraid." Mercy said "No, Sin will never take control." Life and death stood face to face, Darkness tried to steal my heart away. Thank You, Jesus, Mercy said "No."
"We Love You Jesus," which Long co-wrote with John Elefante, spans the centuries from the days of the apostles to our time, uniting us with the New Testament saints in proclaiming our love for our Savior.
Long has come a long way in three albums. "Jesus Saves" will certainly go a long way toward establishing him as one of Christian music's foremost male vocalists.
Other coverage for this album
The Phantom Tollbooth 1998Reviewed by Shari Lloyd"My focus on this record was wanting to zero in on the message of Christ--who He is, what He's done, and what our response is to that. Some may say I'm oversimplifying it, but I think the title track says it beautifully: Complicated living needs a complicated cure At least that's what I've heard But suddenly what I believe Gripped the very heart of me As simple as it seems Nothing says it better…Similar sounding releases
2000Phillips, Craig & DeanRestoration
1997Aaron + JeoffreyThe Climb
2003NewSongMore Life
2001Caedmon's CallIn the Company of Angels
2001Christ for the Nations InstituteWe Lavish Our Love
1996Jackson FinchExperience
