See His Glory by Revivaltime Choir: A Raw, Unfiltered Gospel Punch to the Soul
Alright, buckle up. Let’s talk about See His Glory, the 1977 masterpiece from Revivaltime Choir directed by Cyril McLellan. If you’re into folk, world, and country vibes mixed with choral gospel that hits like a freight train of faith, this album is your jam. And let me tell ya—this isn’t some polished, studio-perfect snoozefest. It’s got grit. It’s got heart. And holy cow, does it have soul.
The first thing you notice? The choir sounds like they’ve been lit on fire by divine intervention. Tracks like “Stand Still And See His Glory” knock you flat. That bass guitar from Garry Pierce? Smokin’. Larry Hefner’s art direction might not jump out at ya, but trust me—it sets the vibe for what feels like an old-school revival meeting in vinyl form. This song sticks because it’s raw power wrapped in melody. You can almost feel the sweat dripping off the choir as they belt their lungs out. When they sing "stand still," you don’t just hear it—you feel it. Like, dang, sit down before you pass out kind of stuff.
Then there’s “Nobody Else But Jesus.” Oh man, this one’s sneaky good. Kevin Taylor lays down some serious piano magic here, while Meledy Henning’s organ work swirls around like holy smoke. The harmonies are tight enough to choke you up if you’re not ready. What makes this track unforgettable is how simple yet devastatingly effective it is. No frills, no gimmicks—just straight-up worship that punches you right in the chest. By the time the last note fades, you’ll either be shouting "hallelujah" or questioning every life choice that led you here.
Now, I gotta give props to Cyril McLellan. Dude didn’t just direct; he arranged, played violin, and probably kept everyone caffeinated during those marathon recording sessions. Producer Bill Hedrick deserves a shout too—he knew when to step back and let the music breathe. David Dombrowski’s engineering? Solid. Tony Varney’s guitar licks? Sharp as a tack. Buddy Salsam’s drumming keeps things grounded, even when the choir threatens to lift the roof clean off.
But here’s the kicker—the whole thing ends with “The Lord’s Prayer.” Not flashy, not loud, just pure reverence. After all the high-energy tracks, this one feels like a cool drink of water after running a marathon through heaven itself. Weird way to wrap an album? Maybe. But maybe that’s the point.
So yeah, See His Glory. It’s messy, passionate, and unapologetically real. Listening to it feels less like spinning a record and more like stepping into another dimension where the air crackles with belief. Honestly, I’m surprised my speakers didn’t burst into flames halfway through. If you wanna experience something that’ll shake your bones and rattle your spirit, grab this album. Just… maybe clear your schedule first. You won’t walk away unchanged.