Teino Evans, Staff Reporter
Grammy award-winning contemporary Christian artiste Michael W. Smith performing at the Cinema II, New Kingston on Sunday.- ANDREW SMITH/PHOTOGRAPHY EDITOR
CHURCH, CONVENTION or international rock
concert, the Michael W. Smith 'worship' experience was glorious.
The concert attracted patrons from near and far, as bus loads of people converged in the massive Cinema II venue in New Kingston, which was filled to capacity before the start of the concert at 6 p.m.
Before fans could partake of the main course, however, they were given a sumptuous appetiser, when Perpetual Praise and Chevelle Franklyn unleashed the Holy Spirit inside the venue, engulfing patrons in a true worship mode.
At approximately 7:50 p.m., the man of the moment, Michael W. Smith took centre stage to loud screams and uproars that rang out around the venue.
With hands in the air, then clasped, suggesting that he was overwhelmed with the warm reception, Smith then took his seat behind his keyboard and microphone and began to play.
EXCEPTIONAL PERFORMANCE
Open the eyes of my heart Lord, Michael W. Smith sang, as the crowd stood to their feet, singing along with his every word.
"Jamaica, it's so great to be here," Smith said, after pausing for a brief moment to catch his breath.
With that statement, Michael W. Smith broke into a number of his popular songs, among them, Hang On, Rock Town, We Can't Wait Any Longer, This Is Your Time, Place In the World, Waiting For You and Above All.
For some persons, the feeling was so overwhelming that they could not contain themselves, as they became captivated in the experience. They clapped; they sang along; they stood to their feet with outstretched hands reaching for the sky, as they soaked up every moment of the worship experience.
It was quite evident that the songs written and sung by Michael W. Smith were popular among Jamaicans.
'PULL IT UP'
Smith, in attempting to sing one of his very popular songs, Healing Rain, was forced to 'pull it up' and take it from the top, as the loud cheers from the crowd was almost overwhelming.
As Smith neared the end of each song, toning down the volume on his keyboard, so did the audience quiet their hearts, and quietly soaked up the worship experience, which made it seem as if the entire Cinema II had fallen into a deep trance.
Before Smith went into the
second part of his act, he took a few seconds from around the keyboard and stood aside, as if in deep meditation, before returning to his seat. He too, was caught up in the worship experience.
For a moment, it seemed as if there was no Michael W. Smith in the minds of patrons inside the venue, as they broke into a moment of praise and worship. The singing stopped, the music ceased and both the performer and patrons alike, enjoyed the moment.
"That was amazing," Michael W. Smith said, as he continued with his performance of songs like Angus Dei and Awesome God.
At 9:10 p.m., Smith took his leave from the stage, but was compelled to re-enter, as the crowd shouted for more. "We want more; we want more!" they shouted and brought Smith back to the stage.
Smith rounded off the evening as he and patrons sang, Forever God is faithful, and forever God is true before ending with the song I am Free.
It was an evening of praise and worship, fun and excitement, one that was well worth the hype and anticipation, as Michael W. Smith delivered a magnificent performance of his songs, old and new, all of which have earned popularity across the world.
