Made Me Glad

Personnel: Darlene Zschech (vocals); Derri Daugherty, Jerry McPherson, Stephen Leiweke (guitar); Matt Butler (cello); Jeff Roach, Blair Masters, Ben Shive (keyboards); Ken Lewis (drums); Jason Eskridge, Lisa Cochran, Ashley Guilbert (background vocals).
Audio Mixer: Paul Mills.
Photographer: Giles Lambert.
Miriam Webster will likely sound familiar to the multitudes of Hillsong fans worldwide, and not just because her name resembles a certain dictionary (the dictionary, for the record, is spelled Merriam Webster). The Australian singer, songwriter, and worship leader has voiced popular congregational songs such as "Dwelling Places" and "Worthy Is the Lamb," and fronting this album, Made Me Glad, feels just as natural. Webster adds a sense of joy and abandon to inspirational worship on tracks like "Greater," and shows off her pop sensibilities on "Praise Him." Her big, booming voice breaks out from a lullaby to near diva-like volume and control on the powerful ballad "Loving Kindness," a duet with Darlene Zschech. A lot of listeners are already familiar with this young talent, thanks to her affiliations with Hillsong, and Made Me Glad reveals her potential as a songwriter with well-crafted fare that shows off her confidence and passion from the stage. ~ Jared Johnson