If you read many of my reviews, you know I usually reserve my personal feelings toward a project until the end. On this one, however, I will open with them. I love this video.
The odd thing is that I'm not much of a fan of Ray Boltz. In fact, I wasn't even that interested in the music. Don't take me wrong, the music is performed well, but that's not what I focused on throughout the video. I was much more taken by the visual presentation.
I think that the last videos to truly capture an intimate concert setting were the Sparrow Front Row series. This is right in line with that series. The audience is probably 50 or 60 people and the set is like nothing I've ever seen. Boltz is on a small round platform in the center with the audience surrounding him. The musicians are all positioned on the periphery at the edges of the set. The musical cast is not small, either. There is a string section, a group of backing vocalists, drummer, guitar, bass, and so on. It is a unique setting that seems to create a friendly atmosphere. Stephen Yake produced and directed the video. If you've seen much of his work, the set for the show is typical of his style. He blends high-tech with traditional by placing several large video screens in a set dominated by large flowing drapes. The projection screens are used at times to show images of Boltz performing, clips from the song's video, video footage, or dramatic performances with the appearance of being set in Biblical days. The video often fades into these images which helps add some intrigue to the project. My personal favorites were a re-enactment of Jesus washing the disciples' feet during "I've Come To Serve," and the clips from the video of "I Pledge Allegiance To The Lamb" that are mixed with the live performance.
Boltz offers the audience's applause to God several times throughout the video, providing a nice reminder of why he's performing. At times you can see audience members holding up their hands in worship.
The project offers: "The Storm/The Anchor Holds," "I've Come To Serve," "I Pledge Allegiance To The Lamb," "I Go To The River," "Heaven Is Counting On You," "Thank You," "Touching Him," "The Stones," "I Will Praise The Lord," "The Altar/The Hammer/Feel The Nails," "Watch The Lamb," and "Behold."
While artist videos rarely expand their audience, I think The Concert Of A Lifetime may broaden Boltz' appeal a bit.
