Lisa Bevill

Item: All Because of You
Author: Bert Gangl

All Because of You

(1994)

Reviewed by Bert Gangl

Discogs Apple Music TIDAL Amazon Music Spotify YouTube Music

Label Sparrow RecordsThe LighthouseOctober 1994

adult contemporary ccm pop

Even with only one listen to Lisa Bevill's sophomore release All Because of You, the average listener notices that things have changed significantly since the release of her first album, My Freedom. But even for those of us who bought My Freedom and liked it, this is not a bad thing. To be sure, the sonic quality of the album is equal to, or better than, her debut release, which is saying plenty. This shouldn't be surprising with the likes of Tommy Sims, Dann Huff and Jerry McPherson lending their musical talent, Angelo and Veronica helping out with backing vocals, and both Sims and Charlie Peacock handling production on the album.

What is surprising, however, is both the trend toward slower songs and the increased depth and spiritual content of the lyrics since Bevill's last effort. One has only to listen to songs like "The First Uncloudy Day," or "All Because of You" to wonder if perhaps Bevill's heart has been in this type of soft, melodic tune from the beginning. In fact, even though the hip-hop sounding "Sunshine and Joy," the pop standard "No Condemnation" and the funky "Trouble the Waters" hardly classify as slow, they still sound as if the singers and players are purposely holding back just a little, emphasizing artistic style and variety over sheer speed and volume.

Still, the cornerstone of the album is its lyrical content. Songs like "Fall into Your Arms" and "No Condemnation" are written and sung with a sensitivity that can not help but highlight the spiritual maturity of the artist. Where My Freedom dealt in positive themes, All Because of You addresses clearly and specifically the need for, and the benefits of, a one to one relationship with Christ. In fact, "Sunshine and Joy" quotes almost word for word from Philippians 4, "Hold On" from Isaiah 40, "Trouble the Waters" from John 5 and, of course, "No Condemnation" from Romans 8. From the title to the specifically Christian message, All Because of You stands as a well-produced effort designed to carry its listeners to a more intimate knowledge of the Lord. To take such a marked turn on the second album may seem risky in light of an audience that would probably be content to hear My Freedom Part Two, but Bevill should be admired for making an album like All Because of You regardless of that risk.