All the People Said Amen (Live)

Editors’ Notes All the People Said Amen finds Matt Maher presenting his best-loved songs in a live setting, with four new studio tracks added. Over the past decade, the Canadian-born Christian singer/songwriter has approached worship music with a lyrical intimacy and eclectic sense of musicianship that sets him apart from his peers. His latest release catches him on tour with a muscular road band capable of veering from gentle praise compositions to burly blues-rooted numbers without disturbing the overall reverent vibe. Such signature tunes as “Turn Around,” “Your Grace Is Enough,” and “Christ Is Risen” take on bolder colors here, giving them a visceral impact to match their spiritual message. Maher lets his inner Southern rocker run free on snarling, guitar-driven versions of “On My Way” and “Hold Us Together.” At the other end of the spectrum are such acoustic-centered pieces as the quietly inspirational “Adoration” and the contemplative “Mighty Fortress.” The new songs “Lord, I Need You” (a stirring collaboration with Audrey Assad) and the title track (a buoyantly upbeat call for brotherhood) compare favorably with the best of Maher’s earlier work.