Today, Myron Butler & Levi return to the scene with their third release, Revealed… Live In Dallas. Like their other albums, it is full of great vocals, songwriting and production, offering listeners intricate melodies, catchy hooks, and all-around good music.
The 12-track project opens with the group’s first single (and title tune) “Revealed,” followed by the band-banging “I Just Can’t Live,” featuring Kirk Franklin. It’s great to hear him again with the group, comprised mostly of God’s Property alumni, but Myron Butler has done such a great job leading them that the tune feels much more like a guest spot than a reunion of sorts.
The album slows a bit as it eases into “Speak Into The Atmosphere,” a simple chant that will likely be a successful second single for the group. From there, the project takes listeners on a journey of musical styles, from the rock-infused “Holy God” to the smoother sound of “Moving Closer.”
My favorite song on the project may be “I Am God.” With its fairy-tale melody set to a 5/4 time signature, the tune is almost as captivating as its declarative scriptural lyrics. Another strong track is “Covered,” with great instrumentation and powerful vocal delivery from Levi’s seasoned vocalists.
Other stand-out tunes for me include the mellow “Greatest Love,” the well-done gospel cover of Cyndi Lauper’s “Time After Time,” and the beautiful musical plea of “Run To The Cross,” featuring guest vocals from Smokie Norful.
If Revealed is to face any commercial hurdle, it will be due to some of the album’s musical complexities. While exciting for musically minded listeners, the concepts may be too intricate for some gospel consumers to grasp. By that, I mean that you may not hear your church choir rendering many A and B selections from it. And if they try it, the music will be simplified and the vocals void of the nuances that make Myron Butler & Levi so great.
That said, Myron Butler’s musical gift is undeniable. Any lover of music– particularly in gospel– will appreciate (maybe love) the songwriting, production and musical delivery that Myron Butler & Levi offer on Revealed… Live In Dallas. It’s an effort that you’ll want in your music collection.
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Anybody have it? Anybody gettin’ it? Talk to me.
Definitely get this project. Musical groups like Myron Bulter and Levi are keeping the gospel industry alive. I'm sure the project is wonderful!
Thinking about getting it.
I'm listening to it right now and while I think it is musically solid, it's a little long in the tooth musically to me. A lot of slow songs and very much lacking in the jam part. I like a nice balance and this album isn't really giving me that. Myron is an excellent songwriter though and some of the arrangements -- I am excited to dig into them. But I don't think I want the whole thing. I love their take on "Time After Time" however!
I think the album is FANTASTIC!!! Musically, Myron is definitely at his BEST in terms of the musical arrangements! I LOVE IT! The arrangements are so fresh and exciting. It doesn't take a fast song to get me excited because the music speaks and excites naturally. Like EJ said, many ppl may decide to turn a deaf ear to this album because they can't comprehend it musically, but I musicians and singers will LOVE IT!
I bought the album yesterday. I usually try to get a feel for an album before a purchase, unless you are on my short list of singers/arists whose material I purchase no matter what --- until you prove me wrong twice, lol. I bought Myron and Levi's last two projects so I decided to just get this album without checkin it out first and this is my verdict, lol. Like you said EJ, the musical production, vocal arrangements, and writing were on point to me, yes. However, I just had the feeling that something was missing after listening to the album. --- There were rarely any fast songs, songs I could get loose to a la "Set Me Free" & "Jesus Saves." --- I was waiting the whole time, while still enjoying the album, for Candy West to rip it up for the blood on a song and it didn't happen :( --- Myron appeared to be the premier vocalist on this project. --- Somehow I didn't realize this was a live project even though it is implicit in the title "...Live in Dallas" lol. --- Though I enjoyed the album thoroughly, and I'm sure once I give it a few more spins I will get over the aformentioned, I have a feeling that this album might have translated better for me had it been a studio recording. However, there is somethign to be said for the fact that they accomplished such vocal and musical complexities LIVE!!! They are beasts. p.s. Smokie was givin us ridiculous precision on "Run to the Cross" goodness, and "I Am God" might be the most interesting arrangement I've heard in a while, something about it was fresh to my ear. Finally, I really enjoyed the message of the gospel being the central focus of these songs which is important to me, cause I've found, at times, that even in gospel music the message of "The Gospel" can be found lacking. EJ bet you were weren't expecting me to talk that much, lol. Love yall.
i think the work on this album is one of the best this year! and not just cause i sung on the album! im looking to hear grammy nods as well as some stellars! "Greatest Love "
@ RB - Riiiiiiiiight...LMBO
@ Odi_A - i agree with you re: it being a "live" project. maybe Live in Dallas (at the studio), lol. a friend referred to it as "God's Property 2.0". i think it's a good, solid effort. i've only listened to it twice and nothing has grabbed me yet. it's definitely missing a "Set Me Free" or "That's Who You Are" or "Stronger". my personal faves are "Run To The Cross" and "I Am God" i'm still on the fence regarding "Time After Time" - but i generally am not a fan of remakes/covers of songs when the lyrics have been altered. otherwise, i think it's perfect during my nightly personal, reflective time. overall, i think it's...good. i will say that if i accidentally stepped on and broke it, i'm not totally convinced that it would be replaced.
Man, "Revealed" is one hot song! I love the musical arrangement and the words speak to me.
I really enjoyed the album. I thought musically speaking, it was very thoughtful. The vocals on it were just beautiful! I was jamming on tracks 1-11 and then Covered closed out the album and when he said hit the go-go beat I was like oh no! I'm from the DMV and I think that go-go beat was nothing to shout about. It was a little dated for mean. Overall I do love the album. Definitely in rotation!
This is a great record! The winners for me on this record are "Speak", "Holy God", "I Choose To Believe", "Greatest Love", "I Am God", Run To The Cross", & "Time After Time". The arrangement on "Greatest Love" took me back to the classic arrangements of the Hawkins Family records. I would love to see them do another live dvd for this record.
At first I was disappointed because I wanted to hear more solos from his vocalists, but I can say that this is the best album from Myron Butler and Levi, HANDS DOWN!!! I just love his musical complexity because it has helped me to develop my ear to be more precise when dissecting parts. "Greatest Love" is the BEST!!! My other favorites are "Speak", "Holy God", and "Covered", but there are no bad songs on this album! All of it is rich and God-Inspired! OMG!!! They need to do a another Live Recording soon! :) Please BUY this album and help out my favorite gospel artist of all time!