(c)1985 Sparrow Records

This album is a cassette transfer of Phil Driscoll's 1985 album "Power of Praise". Driscoll as a young child was drawn to the trumpet, playing a small plastic trumpet to accompany his father - who was a preacher - later adding steel guitar to the instruments he knew. Driscoll would later play lead trumpet in the Gospel group The Spurrlows; managed to secure record deals with both Word and A&M Records; traveled Europe with Billy Graham and even managed to beat out the Carpenters in a musical competition airing on CBS. Two years later; CBS Records hired Driscoll as a staff writer; working with the likes of Billy Preston, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young's Stephen Stills; .38 Special and five years working alongside Joe Cocker (whose voice Driscoll's would often be compared to).

However; by 1978 trouble was brewing, as Driscoll (who had been known to use $5000 worth of cocaine in a day) was one of 32 people indicted in Texas by a grand jury related to a cocaine trafficking conspiracy (among the others indicted was actress Linda Blair of "The Exorcist" notoriety). Driscoll - who had become a Christian just weeks prior on Christmas Day 1977 - subsequently wrote a letter explaining his newfound faith and as a result Driscoll (originally charged with 3 felony counts of conspiracy to distribute cocaine) was allowed to plead guilty to a misdemeanor cocaine possession charge, being sentenced to probation (with his record later expunged).

The 1980s would be a successful decade for Driscoll; starting Mighty Horn Ministries (later renamed Phil Driscoll Ministries) and releasing several successful records during the period beginning with 1982's "Sound the Trumpet" followed by the next year's "I Exalt Thee" (one of the first major recordings of the Pete Sanchez-penned title track) while also managing to get the opportunity to play for Presidents ranging from Jimmy Carter to George W. Bush along with playing at the Democratic Conventions from 1988-2000 (much more recently; Driscoll would play at an Evangelicals for Trump event in early 2020). Additionally; Driscoll became a close friend of televangelist Kenneth Copeland and would play as his Believer's Conventions periodically during the period.

However; Driscoll would end up in legal trouble again in 2006 when he, then-wife Lynne and Lynne's mother, Chris Blankenship (the ministry bookkeeper) were indicted on tax evasion charges between 1996 and 2000 where Driscoll was accused of not paying $300,000 in taxes during that period (Driscoll's mother-in-law had died shortly before the trial) and - aided by his brother-in-law; J. Richard "Rick" Blankenship (who was Ambassador to the Bahamas from 2001-03 under George W. Bush), testifying for the prosecution; Driscoll was convicted on 2 tax evasion charges and 1 conspiracy charge; serving a year in prison (Driscoll would write and co-produce a film titled "Long Day Journey" based on this time that included Danny Glover and Brian Dennehy - the film per IMDb is in post-production but apparently is stuck in what's known in filmmaking circles as "development hell"; as most of the stories on the film are around the 2011-2012 time frame. When and if the film is released; that would be the final project for Dennehy; who died from sepsis-related cardiac arrest in April 2020)

As for this album; "Power of Praise" - the 12th most successful CCM album release for 1985 - would be the last release of all-new material for Sparrow; as after a compilation album was released; Phil would release albums on both JCI Associated and Word before his later albums were released on his own label. Driscoll at this point was coming off winning a Dove Award for Instrumental Album of the Year for the previous year's "Celebrate Freedom" album (one of a handful of patriotic-themed releases over the years) and a Grammy Award for Best Gospel Performance - Duo or Group for his duet performance alongside Debby Boone for the song "Keep the Flame Burning" from Debby's 1983 "Surrender" album.

As one would guess from the album title; the emphasis is predominantly praise and worship in nature.

TRACKLIST
1. All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name (arranged by Phil Driscoll)
2. He's Alive Again (one of the first songs written by a young Shawn Craig; later known as the writer of the Michael English classic "In Christ Alone" as well as becoming part of the long-running group Phillips, Craig and Dean)
3. Jesus, I Love You
4. Worthy is the Lamb (one of two albums later to appear in a 1980s Integrity album recorded by Don Moen; this one appearing on Moen's 1989 "Bless the Lord" release)
5. Doxology
6. Messiah (finished as the 73rd most played song on the CCM adult contemporary charts for 1985. First of two songs written by Mike Deasy {a veteran session guitarist/minister})
7. People of God (previously recorded by its writer, Wayne Watson, on Watson's 1982 "New Lives for Old" album)
8. I Will Celebrate (the other song Integrity Music took note of; as it appeared on Don Moen's 1986 Integrity debut "Give Thanks" - though that version leaves off the verses)
9. Every Knee Shall Bow
10. Fallin' in Love with You (the other Mike Deasy contribution; the original, chorus-only version had been recorded by mutual associate Kenneth Copeland on his 1983 "Spirit Wind" album. By the time Driscoll decided to record the song, Mike's wife Kathie had written some verses for this version)
11. The Rest of My Days

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