Some Devotional Rock of the ‘Highest’ Order

The persuasive powers of contemporary Christian music were on full display at the Greek Theatre on Friday in a program titled “My Utmost for His Highest.”

The title is drawn from a book of Christian devotionals written by Scottish preacher Oswald Chambers. The concert--which presented a lineup of well-known Christian pop artists--has been touring to promote the book, a CD of music inspired by it and membership in World Vision, a Christian organization dedicated to caring for needy children.

Take away the text of the songs and the program was a slick, well- produced, beautifully performed collection of contemporary smooth rock. Among the performers, Twila Paris and Cindy Morgan revealed lovely voices, Steven Curtis Chapman confirmed his engaging qualities as a singer-songwriter, and the group Avalon offered no fewer than four first-rate vocal artists.

Bryan Duncan, former lead singer with Sweet Comfort Band, interspersed his songs--as did the other lead artists--with personal testimony. His slightly abrasive manner, however, somewhat undercut the effectiveness of both his songs and his testimony.

Sandi Patty, one of the best-known contemporary Christian artists of the ‘80s and ‘90s, more than justified her fame, singing with stunning effect in a voice that ranged from low contralto to soaring soprano. Holding everything together, a first-rate instrumental and choral ensemble provided amazingly rich, orchestral-sounding support via the arrangements of musical director Scott Sheriff.

For the enthusiastic audience members, many of whom frequently leaped to their feet to raise arms in devotion, the contemporary rhythms and inspirational words were irresistible--sweetened by actor Chip Arnold’s Scottish-inflected readings from the Chambers book.