Pastor Bruce Parham - Hide Me

By Rene Williams

Ford Music Group

Pastor Bruce Parham is probably one of gospel music's best kept secrets. Pastor of The Oasis of Refreshing Ministries in Wilmington , Delaware , he has been a featured soloist on a number of well-known projects. One of his most popular songs came from the Straight Gate Mass Choir 's CD, Faith In The House . The praise and worship CD set showcased the pastor's exceptional vocal talents. Somehow, effortlessly, he manages to vocally span the musical globe going from the depths of the male tenor voice to a superb falsetto - all with an unmatched anointing and spiritual sincerity. The most memorable song lead by Parham was Cover Me, a worshipful heartfelt plea to the Lord on the Faith In The House project. Parham has recently released another solo effort which picks up right where Cover Me left off providing an exceptional array of worship and praise music.

Hide Me is produced by producer to the stars, Steven Ford, known for his production work for such artists as Richard Smallwood, Amy Grant, Bill Gaither, T.D. Jakes, Shirley Caesar, Maurette Brown Clark, Vickie Winans, Donnie McClurkin, just to name a few. Parham is the first on Ford's label, Ford Music Group.

Rescue Me , the first on the 17-track CD is a catchy, up-tempo groove. Although the CD is largely live, Rescue Me , along with a handful of other tracks, were recorded in the studio. A Touch , another studio cut, is bathed in lush orchestrations, a Ford signature. The almost 7-minute cut finds Parham singing about a much-needed touch from the Lord. Those going through any test or trial will find this song a comfort.

Do Something , a time of high praise and energetic dance, will provide an opportunity to “get your step in”. Perhaps the best cut on this project is the reverent and worship-filled, Give Thanks . Backed by the Elements of Praise , the song is an incredibly anointed tune with elements of both the traditional and contemporary. The song is a perfect one for a moment of meditation prior to the preached word or to just set the mood for worship.

Parham does a breathtaking arrangement of the church classic (written by Robert Fryson ), God Is . Even more moving with a symphony of strings in the background, the rendition allows Parham to flow freely vocally and it oozes with a powerful and unbelievable anointing. The anointing - it's something that permeates this entire recording - is hard to miss. Ford believes the live recording included a special visitation from God.

Steven Ford says, “ Pastor Bruce Parham 's project to me is the most phenomenal project. I usually don't talk about projects, but to me, it's the most anointed project God has allowed me to contribute to or be involved with. Pastor Parham is one of the premier voices of gospel. When I think of male singers in gospel, he's at the top of my list. Some people who have heard the first song on the project can't make it past the first song; they have to gather themselves. It's in two parts - there's a studio portion and a live portion.

We had about 11 songs to sing for the live portion of it. We got to the fifth song and I had to stop the recording. I've never done that in my career or ministry. The reason I had to stop was because the Lord said to stop. I had to be obedient. The second reason was that there was such a move of God in that session; they were actually carrying people out of there. I have never seen a move of God in a recording like that. People were talking about it on the radio the next day - even on the street. The Lord allowed us to be able to capture that.”

You'll feel exactly what Ford is speaking about on another well-known church song, He Is Lord , which is given a new contemporary twist. Largely a worship project, Hide Me's title tune is reminiscent of Cover Me. The song's lyrics are a reminder that sometimes it's not only the enemy we need to be hidden from; sometimes it's ourselves. Gratitude , a hand-clapping, energetic praise song expresses thanks to God. Its infectious melody and gut-moving tempo will find you dancing in the aisles. How Excellent is harmonic treat as is I Wait , another treasure, with its strong Walter Hawkins influence. Other favorites include the old-time, church-sounding tunes, This Joy, I Don't Know and the emotive, reverent We Lift Our Hands . Providing us with something for every season, Parham ends with the funky, head-bobbing track, Let Everyday Be Christmas .

Not only is Hide Me one of the best projects of the year; but it provides the worshipper with a time of intimacy with God.

Rene Williams is a freelance writer for Gospelcity.com, Gospel Today, GTM Magazine and Charisma Magazine. To contact her, e-mail her at TehillahEnt@aol.com or TehillahEnterprises@yahoo.com