I Exalt Thee

Description

I Exalt Thee is a vocal album by the American singer, songwriter, and trumpeter Phil Driscoll, released on Sparrow Records in 1983. The album was produced and arranged by Phil Driscoll and Lari Goss for Mighty Horn Records.

Ever get tired of namby-pamby praise albums featuring sugary sweet angelic voices singing hymns and choruses? Forget the sugar. Phil Driscoll has given us a praise album with guts. Yes, guts. It’s called ‘I Exalt Thee’ and it’s a collection of praise choruses, traditional hymns, and other tunes, with Phil singing and playing his horn. This is not just another album where someone puts a contemporary arrangement on a traditional hymn. Driscoll has captured the true reverence and majesty of praise which many traditional arrangers of hymns have missed.

How does Driscoll accomplish all this? For starters, he has a dynamite blues voice that sounds like… well okay, he sounds a whole lot like Joe Cocker… what’s wrong with that? His gargling-with-acid blues voice doesn’t sound like a blue-eyed soul put on. It fits.

At the risk of sounding too mystical, this album seems to have some special anointing that immediately warms you heart. The Scriptures do talk extensively about the power of praise. Liner notes say that Mike Cates interceded during the recording sessions, and you can tell somebody prayed. Not only does Driscoll bring out an abiding sense of God’s majesty on the album, but there’s a spirit of joy and downright fun over this project.

‘I Exalt Thee’ can be listened to on a variety of levels. It makes great roolin’-down-the-road music. It’s music to worship and sing with. And the production has enough musical integrity so that it can be listened to as a professional instrumental album. Mike might have prayed, but the likes of Mike Deasy on guitar, Jim Keltner on drums, Alex Acuna on percussion, and a cast of thousands contributed nicely in the music department. And then there’s Driscoll’s fine horn work.

Because of its versatility, the album will satisfy a variety of listeners, from the praise and worship fan to the contemporary jazz/blues enthusiast. However, traditionalists will have to stay convincingly smug and not tap their toes during the spirited «Our God Reigns». Contemporary die-hards, on the other hand, may have to give their obligatory upturned nose to «The Lord’s Prayer». Yes, it’s the same song Bev Shea sings. But more than likely, Driscoll will capture most folk’s hearts.

So stay spiritually healthy this summer. Cut down on your sugary music intake. Instead, worship the Father with an album with fiber. ‘I Exalt Thee’ will raise your spirit and maybe your hands. [Tom Stribling, CCM, August 1981]

> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/i-exalt-thee/1701320102)

LP tracklist:

Side One
A1. “I Exalt Thee” – 7:23
A2. “Wings As Eagles” – 5:30
A3. “Let The Whole World Know” – 4:05
A4. “Our God Reigns” – 4:36

Side Two
B1. “Amazing Grace” – 4:10
B2. “Hosanna” – 4:33
B3. “El Shaddai” – 3:55
B4. “Everlasting Life” – 4:18
B5. “The Lord’s Prayer” 4:49

Note: Simultaneously released on cassette and 12-inch vinyl LP by Sparrow Records. Re-issued on Benson Records ‎in 1988, featuring a bonus track; “I Will Bless The Lord”. Re-issued on CD by Most High Music in 1988 and as well by Word Records in 1990.

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