Kim Gentes

Kim Gentes may not be as familiar a name to you as some of the well known worship leaders, but he has been instrumental in providing the church with some of the best worship songs and resources available through worshipmusic.com for the past 10 years. While serving as a worship leader in his church every week he recognized the need to be able to easily access great worship songs and resources, but also had a desire to share them with the worship community around the world. Kim Gentes has reviewed literally hundreds of worship CD's and songs over the years and his new release, Kingdom Rain is the result of seeking the heart of God each week, trying to give voice to the cry of our hearts in each song and inviting God to visit us in a special way. Several of the songs are co-written with producer Brian Thiessen, (guitarist for Brian Doerksen) who provides a great "worship band" feel for Kim leading with his acoustic guitar. 

"Let Everything" is a great opener and an invitation to do what we were created to do….join with all creation to Praise the Lord! I resonate with every word of the title cut, "Kingdom Rain". What a great prayer! I love the text from Revelations and minor rock feel of "Holy Holy Is The Lord Almighty", featuring Vineyard worship leader, Andy Park. I wasn’t ready for this one to end. "Whispers Like Thunder" and "Only Jesus" are two tender prayers that I know reflect the heart of Kim Gentes. "All Of Me For All Of You" is the result of a very personal journey for Kim and a few close friends. I was privileged to be on that journey with him. It has a great Celtic feel featuring a duet with Jessica Park. Love this. "You're My Refuge" is another great prayer and declaration. The chorus is so simple and I found myself singing along immediately. "Bless The Lord" features Rita Springer and is a beautiful moment on the CD, especially toward the end of the song as she worships freely, setting up for Kim’s last song…..a prayer… summing up the whole project. 

For those of you who don't know Kim, I encourage you to listen to this CD and get to know his heart like I have. The songs reflect the heart of someone who is dissatisfied with the status quo and who is longing for the refreshing rain of the Spirit to fall on us. If that's you, let’s join our hearts with Kim and say, "Let the flood come. Bring Your rain, Lord. Bring Your Kingdom Rain!"

Kingdom Rain CD is available here.

Review by
Don Moen
 

About Don Moen: Don is one of the most prolific songwriters and producers in Christian music. Having overseen literally hundreds of projects, and a successful songwriter/recording artist in his own right, he has served as the President at Integrity Music, toured on every continent in the world, and received numerous industry accolades and notoriety. But at the heart of Don Moen is a man who is hungry for God, and his work, songs, albums and tours have a common thread of bringing the hope, comfort and encouragement of God's love and promises to people who are also hungry for God.

You can find out more about Don at his own website at
 http://www.donmoen.com/

One of the treasures we have in the United States is the songwriter, equipper and worship leader Paul Baloche. I have had the opportunity to meet with Paul a number of times. He has a desire to encourage and equip the church as much as any worship leader I have met. He doesn't just record albums and write songs- he has developed helpful resources, often pioneering in training, in an effort to truly give away the gracious gifting God has blessed him with. With that kind of heart, one isn't surprised that his recordings and songs have a special place in the heart of millions of Christians around the world. The same genuine pastoral care he has for the local church is conveyed in his songs and recordings.

The album "A Greater Song" shows one of the richest collections of new songs in recent memory. But beyond being just great singable new songs, they are crafted with excellence in lyrics and music. Paul manages to put together a truly great album with "A Greater Song" by not only attending to musical production, but by co-writing nearly every song on the album with some of the best songwriters in the world. Brenton Brown, Matt Redman, Glenn Packiam, Graham Kendrick, Sara Groves, and Don Moen all count Paul as a friend and lend their talents to this cornacopia of new songs harvested for the modern church.

The project kicks off with the very popular Hosanna (Praise Is Rising), a reverberating exaltation that declares with the Palm Sunday tradition "Hosanna, Hosanna, You are the God who saves us." This is a co-write with Brenton Brown, author of Everlasting God, Halellujah (Your Love Is Amazing) and many other songs. The lyrics have captivated congregations around the world and is rising to become one of the most used songs in the Christian church. If you haven't heard this song, take time and do so- excellent, playable and well-written theological lyrics.

The songs continue with brilliance in songwriting and top notch presentation with Because Of Your Love, another co-write with Brenton Brown. This upbeat declaration thanks God for his great love and it rings true with a unity of lyric and beat that emphasize the point. Like all the songs on this album, electric guitarist Ben Gowell works perfect tone and rhythmic placement on the leads and overlays for each section of the songs. They are as enjoyable to listen to as they are to sing along- a real delight.

The tracklist doesn't falter, and you get full load of rock/country/pop ballad and more on this project. Some of my favorite tracks are Thank You Lord (co-write with Don Moen), Creation's King (co-write with Graham Kendrick), and Here And Now (yet another co-write with Brenton Brown). Paul not only recognizes the value of great co-writing in his song craft, but incorporates the beautiful voice of Kathyrn Scott on a couple of tracks.  And this brings me to my favorite song on the album.

Your Name is a co-write with Glenn Packiam (of New Life Church in Colorado). On this recording, Paul Baloche entreats a ballad by way of a duet with Kathryn Scott- a duet that marks simplicity and perfection on the most singable and infectious melody on the album.  If for no other reason, get this recording of this song- it brims with glory, declaration, and not the least- the focus on the Name above all names. You will be launched into praise and worship if you dare to begin singing this encouraging ballad.

A beautiful song and a wonderful album, "A Greater Song" was awarded 2006 Album of the Year by WorshipMusic.com and it is no wonder. Don't hesitate to add this great album to your collection.

Product Link: A Greater Song - Paul Baloche

Review by Kim Gentes