All Sons & Daughters

Live

Integrity Music

As worship leaders at the Journey Church in Franklin, TN, David Leonard (Needtobreathe) and Leslie Jordan see All Sons & Daughters as an extension of their church. They have recorded three EPs and a full length album prior to Live and have toured with artists such as Chris Tomlin and Kari Jobe. With hits like “All the Poor and Powerless” and “Reason to Sing,” the duo have been turning heads everywhere for the last few years.

Organic is certainly the key word here. Anyone looking for a bombastic, anthemic, worship album that explodes with energy will not find it here. It’s got its own brand of intensity and surrender for sure, but it’s not the big, inspirational sound (for the most part) that we often here in this genre. Everything on Live has a slow build that is intimate and reflective.

“All the Poor and Powerless” is the undeniable highlight here. The absolutely beautiful lyrics and perfect build just bring you into oneness with God. It’s a once in a lifetime moment that few artists get to have and the addition of the audience’s voices just moves it to even greater places. Overall all though, the band definitely make me think of Marc Byrd and Christine Glass’ work together. It’s sort of a dialed back version but it’s very poetic in nature, very intimate lyrically, while still being a congregational feeling effort.

That’s not to say there aren’t other wonderful moments as well, of course. Rita Springer-ish “Called Me Higher” has a victorious feel to it and I’m sure speaks greatly to those who are really struggling with things in their lives. It’s a reminder that no matter where you are, God has called you to be more and you can get to where he wants you to be. “Great Are You Lord” has a nice sort of swagger to it that has a bluesy, driving, sway to it that rises and falls throughout.

What All Sons & Daughters are musically best at is being dynamic. Their songs have an excellent ebb and flow to them. For me, they just never seem to get where they are going though. I always find myself wishing that they’d musically push a little more or go over the top. This live release reminds me a lot of the more straightforward Rita Springer songs. The live showcase here gives you a different perspective on the band though and in this setting they shine brighter than on their studio work. Having an audience involved just takes it to a totally different place.