Customer Reviews

Live at New Birth Cathedral

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Byron Cage is best known for his passion for praise and worship. Newly dubbed "The Prince of Praise", this gifted musician and recording artist has blessed the gospel community for years with such songs as Shabach, Yet Praise Him and Jesus Will Fix It. The six-time Stellar Award nominee not only is a recording artist, but a minister, choir director, producer, and actor.

Cage has just released this new project. It's his third; his first in six years. His first two projects on AIR Gospel, Dwell Among Us and Transparent In Your Presence, gave us a taste of what this anointed man of God was capable of. But as they say, the third time is a charm and Cage's project is no exception.

Recorded live last August in Atlanta at Cage's previous church, New Birth Cathedral, Cage starts off his self-titled CD and Gospo Centric debut with the rousing and uplifting song Magnify Him. Opened by the spirited introduction of his co-pastor, Rev. Dr. Jo Ann Browning of Ebenezer AME Church in Fort Washington, Maryland, the power of God is evident from the first note. Magnify Him flows smoothly into the churchy, emotive The Presence of the Lord. This song is destined to be sung by praise teams and choirs alike. Cage slows things down with the smooth jazz feel of Psalm 3. The beautiful song, sprinkled with some slick instrumentation, is tinged with a sweet acoustic guitar and a relaxing melody.

The song flows seamlessly into the reprise, Thank You For Lifting. Cage's calling to usher others into worship is clearly apparent on this song. It's wonderful to hear the sounds of worship in the live recording and Cage's exhortation to the body of Christ. Another strong track -- already getting airplay -- is the Kurt Carr-penned song There Is A Name. This incredible song reminds us of the power that is in the name of Jesus. Carr, Cage's labelmate, was at the production helm on this CD and he does an exceptional job. The pairing of Cage and Carr works wonderfully.

Minister Byron Cage takes us back to a few of his popular tunes with a medley which includes new arrangements of the calypso-sounding The Glory Song, the high-energy Yet Praise Him and the energetic, bouncy Shabach.

One very pretty song is What You Are To Me. Sung from the heart of someone totally in love with God, the breathtakingly beautiful ballad sets the tone for the next few songs as the CD moves even further into a deeper sense of worship. Donnie McClurkin lends his song, It Is To You, to Cage's repertoire. The anointed ballad is followed by probably one of the best cuts on the project, Glory To Your Name. For the true worshipper, this song will bring one into the Holy of Holies.

Never Too Busy, written by Brent Jones and massaged with notes from a church organ, finds Cage in an improvisational style. The song with a rendition of the popular church anthem Praise Him. The project ends with the hand-clapping tune Still Say Yes, an inspirational song about telling the Lord "yes" no matter the situation.

This is one of the best projects I've heard. Not only is the production flawless but Cage's vocals are unblemished and powerful. Each and every song ministers to the soul, and the songwriting and musical element is never lacking.

After listening to this CD, if you don't have it you should get it. This is a great CD. It reminds me of Kurt Carr and the Kurt Carr Singers. That's probably because Kurt Carr produced this album. I think it's as good as Isreal and New Breed's "New Season" album. "Magnify Him" starts out the experience. It's a rousing, nicely-done remake of the Michael Brooks tune penned for Witness 10 years ago. "My Soul Says Yes" ends the experience on a high note with hand clapping and foot stomping. In between is a wonderful praise and worship experience. "The Presence of the Lord is Here", "It Is To You", and "There Is A Name" are my favorites. He also has a medley that covers some of his old material: "Lord We Glorify You", "Shabach", and "Yet Praise Him". That's one of my favorites as well. This music will pierce the soul and lead you into the presence of the Lord. The music is top-notch. The vocals are out of this world. Every facet of the album was done in excellence. I'm not even a Byron Cage fan - never have been. I am now! This album is one that when you hear it, you can't ignore it. If you like Israel and New Breed, Judith Christie McAlister, Kurt Carr, etc, then you will love this collaboration of songs that are sure to touch your heart and usher your spirit into worship. Be Blessed

Praise and worship is coming out from beyond the four walls we call church. Byron was the minister of music when I was a member of the New Birth Choir. I learned more under his instruction than anywhere else I've ever been. Having said that, I'm not surprised that this cd is as extraordinary as it is. I love it from beginning to end. What a powerful instrument he is. The standout for me is Psalm 3. Ministered in such a beautiful way it encourages and uplifts..exactly as the word of God should do.
Also, It Is To You, Glory To Your Name and the medley. I encourage you to support this project as these are songs that will minister to you peace in the midst of life's storms. I am humbled by how the Lord has anointed his ministry. I look forward to the next place God takes him as we are all blessed by the fruit of it. God Bless You Byron!

Kurt Carr's praise material sticks out on this album and, in my opinion, his production influence carries the project. The phenomenal praise song "The presence of the Lord is Here" almost single handedly makes this album purchase worth the money. This song rivals any other worship song I've heard in at least 5 years. It was just as phenomenal when he performed it live on "Bobby Jones Gospel". And the song "There is a Name" (also Kurt Carr) promises to go down in gospel music history as one of Kurt's most powerful tunes. The music production on this album is in the elevated order of the other Gospo-centric artist including Kirk Franklin. The song "Glory to Your Name" ends in a spiritual and lifting drive that any gospel music connoisseur can be passionate about. Byron Cages vocals heighten the intensity as he preaches to the end of the vamp.

I really appreciated that the "Byron Cage Medley" included a revision of "Shabach". I haven't heard that song in years and the re-invention, even though short, was definitely a dancing track. "Never too Busy" was also a bonus. I was actually disappointed when the song faded to the next track. He had the singers coast into a few bars of "Praise Him", I was just getting into some worship when the song ended.

I was unhappy that there wasn't more of Byron Cage's material on the album. I am a big fan of Byron's writing as well as his singing skills. I've heard him on other projects and was looking forward to hearing some of his original material. But I guess that's just how it goes when your working with super producers at a major gospel music label. His songs were probably the first to hit the cutting room floor when they were grinding this project down to 12 tracks. Overall, I was very happy with the entire album, would buy it all over again and it is still in rotation in my car CD deck.

Way too short, I wish it would just go on and on. I have it in my car and in my cd player alternating, I love this cd a lot. You get excited for Jesus when you listen to this. I look forward to more of his work.

This album is a mixture of both Praise and Worship -a beautiful combination. It really is a "must have".

I had caught brother Bryon Cage on TBN when Prophetess Juanita Bynum-Weeks intoduced them, he did "The presence of the Lord is here", it really blessed my soul so much so that I had to go and get me the cd. Thanks for allowing the annointing of the Lord to flow through your music and bless the rest of us. Continue to be a servant for the lord and be blessed in Jesus name.

I really enjoyed this cd. It is one of the few cd's that you buy were you can actually enjoy more than one song on it. My favorite is "Presence of the Lord" and "Glory to Your Name". I sit in my car and listen to these songs over and over again. I also highly recommend Chicago Mass Choir Live in Nashville. These two cds are a God send.

This cd was awesome. It is obvious that it is Spirit filled. God is magnified from the begining to the end. There is no doubt that God wil continue to do awsome things with Min Cage. God inhabits the praises of His people and I am sure that God is inhabiting this. So sit back, relax and prepare your heart for worship.

This CD is awesome! Absolutely awesome. The track "The Presence of the Lord is Here" is worth the price of the CD. The entire CD is wonderful. Byron Cage has a ministry that will bear much fruit, he is annointed, and knows of what he sings -- the man knows the Word!