Mercy in the Wilderness

Description

Mercy in the Wilderness is the eleventh studio album by the American singer and songwriter Steve Camp, released on Warner Alliance in 1994, a gospel division of Warner Bros. Records. The album was producer by Steve Camp and Michael Omartian.

Steve Camp continues through his emerging, more compassionate approach to music with a praise & worship project titled ‘Mercy in the Wilderness’.

Earlier Camp albums, particularly those from the mid ’80s, contained an angst-ridden attitude about them. ‘Taking Heaven by Storm‘ took Camp in a new attitudinal direction: a little less angst and a little more edification and compassion, a direction alluded to on ‘Justice‘. A complete praise & worship project is new ground for Camp, however, which could be troublesome for some fans still getting used to this direction. Unfortunately, the past is recalled but rearranged on ‘Mercy…’ with «He Covers Me». What made this song great the first time around was the guttural passion with which it was sung, absent this time. Though the lyrical material is appropriate for this project, long-time Camp fans will only be jettisoned back to the old days.

Still, the project is far from being inappropriate for the artist. No doubt there has always been a significant contemplative (and therefore worshipful) aspect to Camp’s music. Songs like «He is Able» and «Stranger to Holiness» come to mind. ‘Mercy’ expands this side of Camp and lends itself to a service of worship. Beginning with an invitation, «Mercy in the Wilderness» embraces the listener and encourages one to come before God: “In the barren place where the hard wind blows/ Oh my flesh cries out, Lord refresh my soul…/ There is mercy in the wilderness.” The service continues, with a call to gathering in «Come Let Us Worship» and offering of adoration in «Beauty of Holiness».

Emotively, the album changes direction, shifting into an up-beat song of praise with «Bless the Lord». The project continues to appropriately ebb and flow, just as a worship service often does, utilizing moments for confession and other moments of joy through a lively, cohesive choir, as on «Mission of Mercy». ‘Mercy in the Wilderness’ is sprinkled with the pop, soulful-jazzy attitude of ‘Storm’ (producer Michael Omartian returns to work with Camp), yet the integrity of the praise & worship genre is maintained. There is a sense of progression, specifically to the sacramental moment of communion, as the listener arrives at table on the last track, «Remember Me», and the service ends at the high point of the worship experience.

The Omartian production is well done and the long-time Camp-Rob Frazier songwriting combination effectively continues throughout mot of the project. ‘Mery…’ does what it set out to do. It’s different for Camp, but the risk is uplifting. [Gregory Rumburg, CCM, December 1994]

CD tracklist:

01. Mercy In The Wilderness – 4:08
02. Come Let Us Worship The Lord – 4:40
03. The Beauty Of Holiness – 2:40
04. Bless The Lord – 2:20
05. Wonderful Counselor – 3:50
06. There Is No Other Name / Wonderful Merciful Saviour – 4:56
07. Mission Of Mercy – 4:23
08. Christ Died For God – 4:05
09. He Covers Me – 5:18
10. We Stand In Grace – 3:03
11. He Will Be There – 4:27
12. Open Heaven Lord – 4:15
13. Remember Me – 3:54

Note: Simultaneously released on cassette and CD by Warner Alliance.