Description
Taking Heaven by Storm is the tenth studio album by the American singer and songwriter Steve Camp, released on Warner Alliance in 1993. The album was producer by Michael Omartian.
Producer Michael Omartian leads Steve Camp into a recording that just may surprise some of his old fans. Following the trend of his last few recordings, ‘Taking Heaven by Storm’ shows off a new attitude that relies more on edification than exhortation, on compassion rather than judgment. And apparently it’s a new attitude that many of Camp’s friends enjoy as an all star cast joins in for some help with background vocals including Omartian, Chris Rodriguez, Marty McCall, Ashley Cleveland and Linda Tavani not to metion the skills of Gary Chapman, George Cocchini and Dann Huff on guitar.
The 35 second intro to the title cut sounds like an anthem for battle, a call to courage for the war about to be waged. And the lyrics certainly seem to be typical Camp – “No turning back, no matter what the sacrifice/ We’re pressing on each day to glory, marching side by side/ This is our battle cry/ We’re taking heaven by storm.” But the very next song reveals a little bit about this new, softer approach as a jazzy piano leads into «Give Me Some Time», and upbeat plea for mercy that was co-written by Camp, Rob Frazier, and Gary Chapman. It’s a soulful side of Camp that’s rarly seen, but he carries it off well turning a serious message into a fun tune.
«It’s a Dying World» again returns to the “old” Camp style with lyrics that urge believers to not only have compassion, but to reach out with our hands as well as our hearts. “A dying world/ And they’re crying for help/ It’s time we give our lives to Someone/ How can we tolerate this hell.”
Upbeat trumpet inflections highlight «The Love I Found in You», a mostly pop foot-tapper focusing on Camp’s love for his wife. Another song for his family, «I’m Committed to You» uses a catchy chorus to say “We are one love with so much to give/ We are two lives with one love to live/ We’ve got a love so true/ I’m committed to you.” Again, a song that illustrates a gentler, milder Camp than what we’ve seen before, and it’s a nice touch (although completely sappy).
«He is Able» is a classic Camp ballad. Reminiscent of everything off ‘Doing My Best, Vol. 1‘, this keyboard driven tune concentrates on Christ’s ability to overcome our problems. “He is able to rescue you/ He understands your need/ He can heal the hurt and pain/ Give you hope again/ …He is able.” A pop praise and worship version of «The Lord’s Prayer», though, allows Camp a different voice entirely. Although it’s not how you would expect the Lord’s Prayer to be sung, you’ll like it! The only other ballad and probably my personal favorite, «In the Hands of God» tends to be more traditional Camp as it challenges “man-made righteousness” yet offers hope. “But the hands of an angry God were pierced and bleeding/ As he embraced all heaven’s wrath upon the cross/ And the hands of an angry God still reach out pleading/ For he came to seek and save that which was lost.”
Based on the popular Romans passage (8:28-29), «All Things for Good» encourages believers to trust – “It’s not easy to see, but you’ve got to believe/ He’s working all things for good.” Horns and a bright sax run liven things up some more on «I’m Not Ashamed», a full-fledged song of joy and commitment.
A new label, a new producer and a more upbeat message with some jazz inflected tunes have produced a very different album for Steve Camp. And I’m quite certain ‘Taking Heaven by Storm’ is one that will be embraced wholeheartedly by believers needing to be inspired by love, confronted by holiness and fascinated by the grace of a perfect Father. [April Hefner, CCM, June 1993]
CD tracklist:
01. Taking Heaven By Storm – 5:38
02. Give Me Some Time – 4:01
03. It’s A Dying World – 4:44
04. The Love I Found In You – 3:48
05. He Is Able – 4:27
06. I’m Not Ashamed – 3:48
07. I’m Committed To You – 4:00
08. All Things For Good – 4:04
09. The Lord’s Prayer – 4:33
10. In The Hands Of God – 3:18
Note: Simultaneously released on cassette and CD by Warner Alliance.
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.