Prime Cuts: Jesus Be the Name / All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name, It Is Well With My Soul, Shout to the Lord
Overall Grade: 4.5/5
For more than three decades, Travis Cottrell has established himself as one of the Church's most trusted worship leaders. On Any Given Sunday, he doesn't try to introduce the next worship anthem. Instead, he gathers together songs that have already found a home in churches around the world, offering fresh but familiar arrangements that keep the focus where it belongs-on congregational worship rather than performance.
That's what makes this album work. Rather than showcasing artistic innovation for its own sake, Any Given Sunday celebrates songs that have become part of the Church's shared vocabulary of praise. Whether you're listening at home or leading worship on Sunday morning, these recordings invite participation instead of simply admiration.
The album opens with Phil Wickham's "So So Good," featuring Brooke Voland. Overflowing with gratitude for God's faithfulness, the song immediately establishes the joyful tone of the record. Cottrell avoids unnecessary reinvention, allowing Wickham's uplifting melody and message to shine while Voland's expressive vocals add warmth and freshness.
One of the album's strongest moments follows with "Jesus Be the Name / All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name." Pairing a contemporary worship song with Edward Perronet's timeless hymn is an inspired choice. Rather than feeling forced, the transition beautifully highlights the continuity of Christian worship across the centuries. It's a reminder that the Church has always gathered to exalt the name of Jesus, regardless of musical style.
Cody Carnes' "Firm Foundation" remains one of the defining worship songs of recent years, and Cottrell wisely resists the temptation to overcomplicate it. The arrangement builds naturally, allowing the song's confident declaration-"Christ is my firm foundation"-to remain front and center. It's easy to imagine this becoming one of the most frequently replayed tracks for worship leaders looking for fresh congregational arrangements.
Another highlight is Phil Wickham's "What an Awesome God," which cleverly weaves new verses around the unforgettable chorus of Rich Mullins' classic "Awesome God." Cottrell honors both songs, capturing the sense of wonder that has made the newer version resonate while preserving the timeless power of Mullins' declaration of God's majesty. It's one of the album's finest examples of connecting generations through worship.
Perhaps the most moving performance comes with "It Is Well With My Soul," featuring Lily Cottrell. Horatio Spafford's beloved hymn has been recorded countless times, but this rendition succeeds because it refuses to overwhelm the song with unnecessary embellishment. Lily Cottrell's tender vocal delivery allows the profound words of hope amid suffering to speak with quiet authority, making this one of the album's emotional high points.
The celebratory spirit returns with "I Thank God," another standout featuring Brooke Voland. Originally popularized by Maverick City Music and UPPERROOM, the song bursts with joyful energy without losing its congregational accessibility. Cottrell captures the excitement of corporate worship while maintaining the polished musicianship that defines the entire project.
Closing with Darlene Zschech's "Shout to the Lord" is both fitting and deeply nostalgic. More than three decades after its release, the song remains one of modern worship's defining classics. Rather than modernizing it beyond recognition, Cottrell presents it with reverence, allowing its timeless declaration of praise to provide a satisfying conclusion to the album.
Because Any Given Sunday is built almost entirely around familiar worship songs, listeners searching for original songwriting or bold musical experimentation may come away wanting more. But that criticism misses the project's purpose. This isn't an artist album designed to break new ground; it's a resource for the Church, thoughtfully curated and beautifully performed.
At a time when many worship releases compete to become the next viral anthem, Travis Cottrell offers something equally valuable: a reminder that some of the Church's greatest songs are the ones believers already know by heart. Any Given Sunday serves those songs with excellence, humility, and a genuine heart for congregational worship.
