Written by Paul Baloche and Lenny LeBlanc (ascap), this song wasn't crafted in a "song-writing session." Paul was sitting alone at a piano, worshipping God, when the thought of Jesus being "above all" of the things that we hold as important, (money, power, fame) came to him. The next day he shared the verse with Lenny LeBlanc and the rest, as they say, is history.
Above all kings
Above all nature
And all created things
Above all wisdom
And all the ways of man
You were here
Before the world began
1. Lenny LeBlanc
Daywind Records
Lenny's version is found on this compilation of worship songs by various artists, including Paul Baloche, Tim Hughes, Martin Smith and Chris Tomlin.
2. Michael W. Smith
Reunion
Smitty gives "Above All" a stripped down feel as only he can, making it work in a big way and making listeners feel as though they are listening in on a very private conversation between Michael and God.
3. Rebecca St. James
ForeFront Records
Rebecca may have changed around the arrangement and the instrumentation to make the song her own, but that is not a bad thing at all and it is still very recognizable.
4. Lenny LeBlanc & Paul Baloche
Integrity/Columbia
Who better to sing the song than the men who wrote it?
5. Randy Travis
WEA
On Worship & Faith, Randy Travis gives his version a quiet country flavor as only he can.
6. Marvin Sapp
Verity Records
Marvin Sapp's powerful voice gives his version a rich and stirring sound.
7. John Tesh
Garden City Music
John and his amazing crew released the song twice ... once on Worship At Red Rocks and once on Red Rocks Platinum.
8. Myron Butler & Levi
EMI Gospel
Giving the song a very Kirk Franklin (worship leader speaks, choir responds) treatment, Myron Butler & Levi deliver a different sound that stirs the soul.
9. Hillsong London
Hillsong
Hillsong London did two versions here - one on Jesus Is which is pure Hillsong and another on Jesus Is Remix. I am not quite sure how to describe the second version because I can't quite wrap my mind around a worship standard being remixed with a dance beat but maybe that is just my age speaking.
