Jimmy Needham: Not Without Love
Artist: Jimmy Needham and musicians Josh Moore, Will Hunt, Jacob Schrodt, Taylor Johnson, Rusty Varenkamp, Ben Phillips, Adam Lester, Tony Lucido and Todd Cromwell
Inpop Records 08204 0515 (2008)
12 Tracks
Running Length: 42 minutes
www.jimmyneedham.com
 
Not Without Love is Jimmy Needham's second CD. Needham is now working with Nashville-based Patton House Entertainment. Needham writes intriguing lyrics that are full of emotion and at the same time, reachable to all of his listeners. His diction is precise and the songs are based on scripture.
 
Highlights are “Come Around” (1 Corinthians 13) telling of a performer’s attempt to reach an audience, “…Oh, Jesus, give me more than words…”  There is even a song about a hurricane, aptly titled “Hurricane,” (Psalm 51: 17) in which the singer says he needs “…You like a hurricane, thunder crashing, wind and rain, to tear my walls down, I’m only Yours now.”
 
Saul/Paul (2 Corinthians 5:17) is shown in “Before and After,” “…one love, two arms, three scars…draw us to where You are…”  The song, “Rend” takes an unusual word and uses it to good effect (Joel 2:12-13), “…return to me with nothing less…Rend, rend, rend …your hearts…” “The Great Love Story” (Ephesians 2) tells us that the singer is “…Oceans apart and miles and miles away…Jesus come and fill the divide…” The CD ends with “Not Without Love,” a verbal benediction and “…I’m finally free in the love of the Father.”
 
There are powerful lyrics in this CD. The accompaniments go with the singer well and you can understand the lyrics and message they bring. One of the songs, a love song, actually, could easily be sung at weddings. “Unfailing Love (Kelly’s Song)” says it all, “…And all the promises He promises to us He promises will never be undone…Be my wife.” What more can be said?
 
Copyright 2008 Marie Asner
Submitted 8/25/08