Above All (Lenny LeBlanc; 1999)
Integrity Music · 2024-01-29
(c)1999 Integrity Music Lenny LeBlanc's first album with Integrity Music, "Pure Heart", would see the introduction of one of the two songs he's best known for in "There is None Like You". For this album, recorded at Harvest Christian Fellowship in Riverside, CA (founded and pastored by Greg Laurie who also has held the Harvest Crusades since 1990 and most recently was the subject of the 2023 movie "Jesus Revolution" covering his early years leading to Laurie becoming a Christian during the height of the early 1970s Jesus movement based largely in California and his being mentored in ministry by Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa pastor Chuck Smith), LeBlanc introduced both a remake of that song and the title track, which would gain a lot of traction in churches over the years. This album was also an "enhanced CD" which contained some additional data tracks while also being able to be used as a regular CD. Finally this album contained some pretty notable musicians accompanying LeBlanc, including Will McFarlane on electric guitar (McFarlane, like LeBlanc, is a fellow CCM artist based in the Muscle Shoals, AL area whose career in Christian music started around the same time as LeBlanc in the early 1980s) and bass guitar by original Whiteheart bassist Gary Lunn. TRACKLIST (Lenny LeBlanc was involved in writing all but 1 of the songs on the album) 1. That's Why I'm Here (co-written with Ava Aldridge {one of the background vocalists}) 2. What a Wonder 3. You Are the One I Love (LeBlanc and backup singer Rachel Wilson would appear on a version of this song recorded on Don Moen's 2000 "The Mercy Seat" album) 4. Love You Forever 5. Above All (co-written with Paul Baloche I hinted at this one gaining attention beyond this version, which managed to get some airplay on radio but really took off when Michael W. Smith decided to include the song for his 2001 "Worship" release, with Smith's version peaking at #1 on the CCM AC and #17 on the CCM CHR charts and Smith even getting an opportunity to play the song at an event hosted by President George W. Bush. The song was also nominated for Song of the Year in both the 2002 and 2003 Dove Awards {with Smith's version winning the 2002 Inspirational Recorded Song of the Year} while LeBlanc and Baloche were nominated for Songwriter of the Year in 2002) 6. There is None Like You (remake of the song from his 1991 "Pure Heart" release) 7. Closer (co-written with Paul Baloche) 8. A Shadow in Your Light (co-written with Ava Aldridge) 9. I Dance 10. Rainbow Song 11. Lord You Have My Heart (duet with Rachel Wilson this is the only song on this album LeBlanc didn't have a part in writing with Delirious? member Martin Smith writing this one) 12. I Believe
Tags
- 1990s
- 1999
- Integrity Music
- praise and worship
- CCM
- Contemporary Christian Music
- Harvest Christian Fellowship
- Riverside
- California
- Lenny LeBlanc
- Above All
- Rachel Wilson
- Greg Laurie