Kim Gentes

Sometimes listening to CDs means we miss the whole point of a worship recording project.  The idea that we are supposed to just "listen" to a music experience was not part of the heart or intention of most pastors, worship leaders or ministers. In fact, most of them would say that if all you did was listen to some nice songs, that they aren't interested in writing songs, making music and producing CDs. 

Such is the case with Vertical Music newcomer, Dave Lubben. His freshman release is a completely live and personal journey into what is really worship.  This does not involve the temporal items such as instruments, music and CDs, but the eternal action of laying down one's life, as a surrendering act of obedience, into the powerful peace of God's will.  You could have learned this was on Dave Lubben's heart, and in God's heart for him (and us!), simply by reading the incredible story in the CD liner notes. I will leave you to do that, but even without the amazing story of life and death that surrounds the recording of this album, all one needs to do is simply participate in what is sung and spoken on this wonderful musical journal to catch the real "story".  Aptly named, A Place Called Surrender is about the real message of Jesus.  The message he gave to all who would come after him- that they should take up their cross and follow him.

Each song on this project weaves a tapestry of humility and praise that any follower of Christ can echo, in words and heart. From songs of building joy ("Lord Most High" and "King Of Nations") to plaintiff prayers like ("We Need You", "Save Us" and "Speak To Us") to songs of abandon and devotion ("Surrender" and "Lay It Down"), this engaging night of worship is not just a CD, but a beautiful collection of modern psalms.  Initially, I was captivated by the energy and intensity of the opening cut "Lord Most High" and the heartfelt prayers included in the recording.  As I continued on, I went from praise to prayer and finally to bowing on my bedroom floor in worship to Christ, tears running down my eyes as I found myself reflecting on the call of the lyrics on my favorite new song- track seven, "Speak To Me".  Repentance is the response of our lives coming in contact with the Holy One, and as I echoed the words on that song, I found myself weighing sadly short of the scriptural themes being sung to God. As the CD continued on, the next track, "Lay It Down" has Dave Lubben reading from the text in Psalm 116 (verses 2, 3, 5, 7).  As the lyrics of the song and the Scripture reading wash over you, the essence of this project will become pristinely clear- it is about expressing the true heart of worship (submission to God's will, brokenness, offering our lives to Christ, and repentance).

And while the experience is clearly out front on this new project from the re-launched Vertical Music (the youth label from Integrity Music), this CD is also purveyor of both excellent musical presentation and powerful songs for the church.  In fact, the more you listen to this CD, the more the great work done by producer Nathan Nockels (from OneDay/Passion CDs, Philips, Craig & Dean "Let Your Glory Fall", Watermark and others) begins to shine.  The presentation is aptly framed with accessible musical and vocal parts. Along with great song writing by Lubben, this album is absolutely full of usable, excellent songs for the church.  Nockel's arrangement skills not only make strong presentation of the material for church use, but also give a wonderful diversity to the flow of the album.  So the album is top notch stuff in the production department.  But as I said before, that is clearly not the focus here- worship is.

If you are a worship leader looking for a cache of excellent new songs, you must give this project a serious listen.   I will be listening to this CD for a long time... you simply will not get tired of it.  I believe that songs from tracks 1 through 4, and tracks 7 through 10 provide the best set of songs on a single album that I have heard in a very long time.  In fact, I have never recommended 8 songs from any single album ever!  If you are like me, you would be skeptical of anyone claiming there was eight (yes 8!) strong, usable songs on an original album.  So don't believe me, but make sure you check out the songs yourself by listening to the samples provided online.  And thankfully, Vertical Music backs up this excellent CD by providing us with an entire suite of resources to get these songs to use in church (songbook, stereo tracks, and CD-ROM digital songbook).

This CD is easy to select as an Editor's Choice Award winner for me, for all the reasons I have given in this review.  But again, don't take my word for it, check out the songs above for yourself. And remember, once you buy the CD for yourself, be sure to read the liner notes!

Product Link A Place Called Surrender - Dave Lubben

Review by Kim Gentes

Rising, lifting, resting, flourishing the ebb and flow of the sounds from the new Vineyard album from New Zealand, One Glimpse, has placed some excellent songs on a skillfully crafted sonic palette for all to listen to. When you think of new music for the church, most people think of live worship projects, anthemic choruses and congregational sounds echoing in the recording. Vineyard delivers a whole different offering to the Body of Christ with One Glimpse. While the songs remain very accessible, the recording quality, arrangement styling, and track selection bring one of the first mainstream worship labels to the table with radio playable (CHR or alternative) songs. The last 3-4 years has seen regular CCM labels bringing their pop-artists to bear on classic worship tunes, giving great visibility and access to many great songs of the church. But where the CCM industry has reached into the worship realm with their offerings, the worship music labels havent done as well in adding a polished production to their projects, allowing them to gain access to the larger CCM audience.

Vineyards One Glimpse is an amazing leap from the tired sound of 90s praise and worship albums to true alternative and pop rock sounds native to the music, not opted and arranged on top of yesterdays songs. Its not surprising, then, to find that the project has strong production and recording from producer Nic Manders (of NZ band, Solace), and even guest contributions from Mark Millard (from the NZ group, the Lads). But what muses and audiophiles will note on listening to this project is the almost complete absence of the acoustic guitar, the staple of every Vineyard Music recording since its short 20+ years as the recording arm of the Vineyard church movement. Except for track seven (I Will Sing) and parts of track 11 (Risen One), even the contemplative songs in this project are highlighted with keyboards or soft electric rhythm. What remains is the occasional acoustic strum as a rhythm highlight on some musical transitions throughout a couple other songs.

Musically, the feel of this album resembles much more the ethereal patch and play keyboards, brit/pop guitars and driving rock drums of Delirious?, hard rock/alternative shots (track 4, Surround Me) at Creed, CCM radio sounds similar to Audio Adrenaline (track 2, One Glimpse) with little samplings of American soft rock and power ballad thrown in. That might seem like a heady mixture, but somehow this sonic meal is textured true (and is not cliché-ridden) with the distinctive Kiwi flavor added in. Suffice to say that this is easily the best radio playable worship album I have ever heard from non-artist driven worship sources (Vineyard recordings, Maranatha, Integrity Hosanna, Hillsongs, et al.).

But for all the polish, does this album have something of value to the church in a congregational worship setting? Yes, and a resounding yes! With the first spin of the CD, (track one, Sacrifice) will let you hear the prime suspect for Sunday mornings in many churches. My favorite on the project, this song is very strong with a devotional declarative verse and a glorious chorus announcing the holiness of the Lord, saying:

Holy, holy, holy are You Lord
Im set apart for the One that I adore
Holy, holy, holy are You Lord
You paid the price that I could not afford

This song should make its way into many contemporary services with great lyrics and a moving musical and melodic chorus.

Delivering the tribute to Delirious? is track five, with To The King, which is almost shameless in stealing lines from I Could Sing of Your Love, but in the style of Lord You Have My Heart or Find Me In The River. This song is a great option for worship leaders looking for a pensive song that builds into another glorious chorus, this time with effectual Hallelujahs ringing the song through. The project completely mellows out with track 6, drawing you in with warm guitar swells and a solo voice of brokenness calling out for God to Sing Over Me. This is a beautiful contribution, ripe for Sunday mornings, especially times of prayer, intercession or ministry. Track seven I Will Sing starts the rebuilding of the tempo and volume that holds out through Song from the Heart and Close To You (whose chorus brought me back to the 80s with a Journey-esque stadium rendering). My Soul and Risen One wrap up the project nicely with beautiful contemplative songs, and again, amazing lyrics. I especially love the simplicity and focus of Risen One, which should not be overlooked by any worship leader.

Overall the project breathes nicely as a selection pallet for new material, with a good variety of songs. It shines as a listening contribution, not only in a personal time of praise (driving in the car), but as a serious offering for Christian radio. I was so excited about this CD, that I really want to recommend it to you worship leaders for consideration in your song hunting journeys. And while the CD itself contains a CD-ROM component with chord charts, overheads and some intro parts, the lack of available support resources (such as songbook, tracks, etc) will limit these strong songs from going to churches that cant play from chord charts or arrange from listening to a CD. Then again, churches that will use this material upfront will have younger musicians, who are very used to playing from chord charts in church situations.

I strongly encourage you to consider taking a look at One Glimpse for some great new songs and a fresh and exciting new sound from Vineyard Music. If you are a congregation with a large youth group or college/young adult service, they will definitely want to hear this CD. But dont say I didnt warn you, because you will be going to get the CD back from them for your regular service, once people start asking you hey, can we do that Sacrifice song they are doing in the youth service? So be nice to your youth leaders- get one for them and one for you. You wont regret it! The innovation of the sound, the level of musical presentation and the quality of the songs are strong enough to encourage us to give One Glimpse an Editor's Choice Award.

Product Link One Glimpse

Review by: Kim Gentes

For those who have enjoyed the sounds of celtic music as they praise and worship God, there is no sound like the music of Eden's Bridge, and the signature vocals of Sarah Lacy. You will be captivated by the sounds of this excellent collection of the best work from Eden's Bridge. But more than just a pleasing sound, I found that the depths of devotion and contrition that are apparant in the lyrics of these songs had me rending my heart before God, then dancing in joy. For those who are new to celtic praise and worship, this is an excellent place to start. Normally, I don't laud much on collections, since they often things we have all heard. But in thise case, the uniqueness and rarity of excellent devotional music in the celtic style has me recommending this project very highly. Check out this project above and listen to the song samples, then add this album to your spin cycle on your car or home CD player. You won't regret it.

Product Link The Best of Celtic Praise & Worship: The Worship Music of Eden's Bridge

Review by Kim Gentes

Over the years, reading and growing in the words of life given to us from the Scripture has been a combination of desire, delight and duty. Like many people, I am sure, enjoying the encouragement of the bible text is not a constant level of delight. Sometimes we continue in the word, simply because we are instructed by the Lord and the Bible itself to do so. Eventually, our duty turns to desire and then delight.

Along the way through that ongoing progression of our devotional lives, it is encouraging to have inspiration from the Lord come through other sources. One such source is scripture in music. If we were to trace the history of modern day Christian music (not just worship music, but even contemporary Christian music- CCM) we would find much of its origins in small publishing company called 'Scripture In Song'. From that company in the late 60's/early 70's (and other like sources) grew much of what we have today in praise and worship. There was a reason for the potency and application of those songs-- they allowed the authentic follower of Christ to draw in the God-breathed words of Scripture through their minds and emotions-- through words and music. It is that same strength that Heather Clark draws on to continue the 'Praying the Bible' series of projects with her latest CD 'Selah 2 - Like Men Who Dreamed'.

Using the Psalms as the base, she adds her signature vocals and growing musical palette to develop melody and vibe to a number of songs of the Psalms. It is suprising to me that this powerful combination seems somewhat lacking as a general rule through most praise and worship projects. But this CD certainly adds a wonderful example for all of us byt taking good music and melody writing skills and partnering them to the skill of the lyric writers in the Psalms.

You will find these not only resourceful as praise and worship materials, but you will be reciting Scripture joyfuly, as these infectious melodies work their way into your mind and heart.

What is great is that you can check out a number of the songs online by listening to some audio samples yourself. I think you will find, as I did, that scripture in song is alive and well, and has some heart and passion! See the above sound clips to hear it yourself!

Product Link Selah 2 - Like Men Who Dreamed

Selah!
Kim Gentes

Terry and Darlene Wildman, of Rain Ministries, led worship on Nov. 8 at the Worship Gathering, an event sponsored by WorshipMusic.com. It was an amazing call from the Lord that reached out to native peoples, and to all who were in attendance. The music of native drums, flutes and shakers combined with prayers and songs in both native and English tongue drew the worshipers into a deep sense of the presence of God. The result was a community of people lifting their hearts in praise, thanks and even repentance as they focused on the Lord. The evening concluded as those gathered called on the Lord to bless our native brothers and sisters and all the indigenous peoples as we come together under the Lordship of Jesus.

What was amazing about the music and ministry of RainSong wasn't just the songs or style, it was the reality of God's presence permeating the message. It was the brokenness turned to joy that is revealed when people hear the music of their own culture and native lands speaking the truth of Christ. This CD project captures this essence and this passion. 'Sacred Warrior' is more than a CD meant to reach native American peoples, it is a project born from the reality of a ministry that lives as a beacon of Jesus love in those communities. Rain ministries' Terry & Darlene Wildman are YWAM missionaries sent out from their home church of East Valley Vineyard (Mesa, AZ) who have made their home and are now living with the Hopi people in Northern Arizona. They live with, pastor, and reach out to them day in, day out.

It is in that context that these songs, and this album was born. And the songs are the key here (once again). You will be haunted by the call of the ancient flute in the opening track, beckoning all nations to rise and see the Creator God, and know that they can come boldly to the 'Throne of Grace' (track 2). You will be intrigued by the native calls and audibles in 'Hey Yahweh Hey' and 'Itanna Kwakwhay'. But beyond the interest in the unique style of the music, the heart of the songs draw not just native, but all people into declarations of devotion to the 'Sacred Warrior', Jesus.

This CD is not for everyone. It is not for those looking for copies of standard praise and worship, or for those looking for another pop worship mega-hit, or for those looking for amazing CD production. However, if you are looking for authentic worship in the musical form of blended and native American sounds, with true missional call to all peoples to worship God, then you have found something special in 'Sacred Warrior'.

I don't regularly tell people all the Kingdom benefits of why you should buy a CD, but I want to be clear on this one. The income that goes back to the people of RainSong, through this CD, goes to real ministry, that God is using to do His work in the native Hopi people's in Northern Arizona. If you'd like to participate in that kind of ministry, I'd encourage you to consider supporting it through checking out this CD, 'Sacred Warrior'.

You can listen to audio clips and see more info above as you consider whether to check out this CD. I hope you do!

Product Link  you can buy RainSong CDs at http://www.rainsongmusic.com/thegoodroad/

Kim Gentes