Revival
Sam Harrishas always had a powerhouse voice that raises the roof as well as an honesty that touches the soul, so it seems natural that the formerStar Searchchampion should strike a winning note with his 1999 gospel/inspirational album,Revival.  The album had its genesis when Harris's performance of "Bridge over Troubled Water" onThe Oprah Winfrey Showprompted the host to declare, "Sam could make Jesus walk through the door!" That Paul Simon standard is included with other familiar tunes such as "Peace Train" andRockapella's "A Change in My Life" (which features the a cappella quintet as Harris's backup band). "Love Letter" delivers a great funky beat, and "The Rescue" is a spare ballad that works beautifully in contrast to the high-energy tunes. Harris himself contributes two songs, the lovely, yearning "Holding On" and the rousing title tune, while David Friedman's "I'll Be Here with You" is Harris's tender farewell to his longtime collaboratorLaurie Beechmanfollowing her tragic death from cancer.--David Horiuchi