Crystal Lewis

Item: [Hymns:] My Life
Author: Paul Hughes

[Hymns:] My Life

(1995)

Reviewed by Paul Hughes

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Label Metro One MusicThe LighthouseMay 1995

ccm gospel worship

The first time I heard Crystal Lewis sing, she was translating the National Anthem into high art before a California Angels baseball game, erasing the memory of anyone who had ever sung it before her. She carried the last note out until the third inning. Her voice was even more amazing than the fact that the Angels won. And that is darn amazing.

Well, the Angels aren't as surprising these days, but Crystal Lewis still has the voice.

The voice. It's the first thing you think about with her, although on this album it's not the first thing you hear. A pretty piano intro leads into the first cut, "It is Well With My Soul." But the voice isn't far behind. Think of the strength, talent, training, and raw power in a voice that shatters glass. Then realize that Lewis's singing could reconstruct Waterford with barely any effort.

[Hymns:] My Life is a collection of standards given decidedly unstandard treatment. I like it. Even the second piece, "On Christ the Solid Rock I Stand," which Benny Hester did more to my liking, passes. I could convert to Crystal's cathedral if she promises to just keep singing. Lewis's interpretation of "On Christ" is a hip one, telling us in no uncertain terms of the joy we can have if indeed we stand on the solid rock of Christ.

She's preaching ... errr ... singing to the choir on this one. I don't know a lot of non-Christians interested in "Have Thine Own Way." It'd be nice to see them look into "I Surrender All," or "I'd Rather Have Jesus," both of which are also here. After the Baptists get ahold of Lewis singing "Just As I Am," they'll be asking her to do altar calls, like she does for the Harvest Crusades in California. Or maybe they'll just use this tape.

Listening to this compilation several times, I got a picture of the great composers in heaven tappin' toes, noddin' heads, and exclaiming, "That's what I meant all along!"

As beautiful as the music is, it takes a backseat to her voice. As if it had a choice in the matter. (Ever hear the word "calvary" sung with, like, 26 syllables? Try "To God Be the Glory" on this album.)

One final nice thought to take home and keep (along with the record): I take it from a line in another of her life's hymns: "When we all get to Heaven/What a day of rejoicing that will be." Now imagine that we all sound as good as Crystal Lewis when doing so. Whoa.

Lewis is a southern California local, so the Angels may yet invite her back. Maybe she'll toss in a couple hymns, too. It'll fit the team's name, and they could use the supernatural help.

Did I mention her voice?