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Most people that have had the pleasure of seeing the live monster Salvador in a concert setting have been quick to point out that the Texas natives easily fill the void for electrifying Latin-infused, jam-based music left by Burlap To Cashmere.  Their new project Worship Live finally confirms these reports by exposing fans and audiences nationwide to their brand of explosive, no-holds-barred musicianship.

Recorded on June 6 at the Calvary Church of Albuquerque, Worship Live­ razzles and dazzles by combining elements from their three studio albums­including their recent all-Spanish Con Poder release­, demonstrating that Salvador indeed knows how to groove as passionately and exhilaratingly as they do in the studio.  Starting their set with a celebratory, faithful version of the bilingual “David Danced,” and moving through fan favorites “Lord I Come Before You,” “God People,” and the exquisite “Montaña,” the boys know how to serve up blazin’, dance-worthy God anthems­a paradox in itself­in a fashion that’s long on flavor and short on sonic predictability.

Impressing us with their own material is not all they do, since Salvador also offers a funked-up version of Kirk Franklin’s “My Desire,” complete with the trademark horns that graced the original and even an oh-so-jazzy instrumental bridge where keyboardist Chris Bevins shows off his prowess at the ivories.  They also take the more obscure “Those Who Trust” to new heights with a brass-drenched edge that’s absent from the recorded original, but that still retains the taut rhythmic elements of the one found on Waterdeep’s album You Are So Good To Me. 

If there’s one aspect where Worship Live falters is in its excessive penchant for played out worship songs.  True, the album must remain true to its name by including a couple of these church staples, but Salvador’s original repertoire is varied and praise-filled enough to have warranted such a title.  Modern worship favorites such as “Open the Eyes of My Heart,” “We Fall Down,” and “Here I Am To Worship” all make an appearance here, and a couple of more traditional selections (“As the Deer,” “I Love You Lord”) round out the set. 

At least the octet doesn’t settle for simplistic arrangements and boring renditions, opting instead for interesting chord progressions, jazzy structures, and a bohemian city vibe that many a time makes these songs accessible not only to believers, but to lovers of good live music as well.  Case in point is the bridge of “I Could Sing of Your Love Forever,” which Salvador effortlessly changes up to sound like a salsa track.  Even “I Love You Lord”­probably the slowest song on _Worship Live_­is given a minor chord treatment in spots that makes it sound both fresh and familiar at the same time.

Word Records has also released this album has a separate DVD concert recording, which is an excellent companion to its audio CD counterpart.  The DVD itself is very basic and doesn’t come with many features, besides the option of switching the audio settings from Dolby Digital to 5.1 Dolby Surround.  However, what the DVD lacks in features it makes up in sound quality and camera work. It allows those who haven’t had the pleasure of dancing like David along to Salvador’s music a chance to do so, while giving us a glimpse of why the Latin conglomerate has been rightfully dubbed the most exciting live band in Christian music.

Andree Farias 10/29/2003

When critics call the Austin, Texas-based band Salvador "Christian music's hardest-working and best live band," it is easy to believe it after hearing their newest release, Worship Live.

Salvador has had a meteoric rise in the Christian music world, selling out concerts by not only being great singers and musicians but by just being themselves. 

Of course it doesn't hurt to have a magnetic frontman like Nic Gonzales and an accomplished Latin rock and fusion band backing you up (drummer Robert Acuna; guitarist Damian Martin; bassist Josh Gonzales; trumpet player Pablo Gabaldon; keyboardist Chris Bevins; trombone player Billy Griego and percussionist Eliot Torres) doesn't hurt either. 

The show was recorded at a show of screaming fans at a church in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Gonzales tells the audience that Albuquerque was chosen for the live recording because "y'all tend to rock out and jam out with us quite a bit." 

Salvador could easily go up against any of the secular jam bands out there (Widespread Panic, etc.) and out-jam any of them, while praising God all at the same time. 

"Lord I Come Before You" is a powerful praise song chock full of infectious Latin rhythms, mind blowing instrumental breaks and a brassy energy that is second to none.  In fact, the above could be said about a number of tracks on the album - "God People," the cover of Waterdeep's "Those Who Trust" and the Spanish-language showstopper, "Montana," a song featured on the band's just-released Spanish language album "Con Poder." "My Desire" is a tasteful and soulful track and songs like "As The Deer" and "We Fall Down" showcase the band's quieter and more worshipful moments. 

There is also a DVD available featuring footage of the same show and is also well worth viewing.
 
I have to say that Salvador is one of the most exciting and energetic Christian bands touring today. Their cross-over appeal, spiritual sincerity, and infectious stage presence give this old critic a reason to smile and sing along.
 
Andrew West Griffin  11/09/03