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Rita Springer
Rise Up
2003, Floodgate Records
I don‘t know about this one. As far as I can tell, there‘s nothing to elevate this CD above the slew of other like-minded albums by similar singer/songwriters. Springer‘s voice bears a striking resemblance to Melissa Etheridge: slightly raspy and throbbing at full bore, and it doesn‘t really suit this genre very well. The worship music I like most is sung by male tenors with nondescript voices and angelic-sounding females, and Springer fits neither description. Rise Up was recorded live off the floor at a worship event in New Mexico last year, and while the crowd interaction is charming, I simply can‘t get into this like I can the Hillsong Australia bunch (the United series) or the ubiquitous City On A Hill compilations that keep coming out every two weeks.
Guests of note include Christine Glass doing backup vocals on ‘Lily of the Valley‘, ‘My Hero‘ and ‘Deep Calls to Deep‘. As well, the songs are evenly balanced between Springer‘s own compositions and songs by the likes of Vineyard Toronto team, CCM rising star Shane Barnard, and the United Kingdom‘s Kingsway Music organization. While the passion and meaning of this album, played interestingly enough at a large womens‘ conference, is undeniable, again, nothing really steps this release head and shoulders above the crowd.
Copyright ©2004