Back in the mid-90's Kim began writing impromptu reviews of church music CDs (worship music) so that people who were looking for CDs would have an opinion from someone who is also a worship leader and is garnering music for local church use. Up to this point, this was rarely something that was done, because church music was revered as sacred and it was thought that any offering of that sacred worship shouldn't be criticised or evaluated. In fact, Kim wasn't as much a critic as he was an evaluator, helping people find what fit their church. He began posting his reviews on line in a email discussion forum, called the Worship List (website). After a while, when he helped launch Worshipmusic.com, he continued that same concept of trying to help other local church worship leaders and musicians find music that might be applicable to their situations. The reviews continued to be a part of that. Worshipmusic.com went on to grow a staff of writers that would add many more reviews to the collection they have, but Kim continued to participate as a key reviewer. This journal logs all the reviews Kim has written on worship music CDs and projects.
Kim's reviews of CD projects of worship music includes independents, label and main stream recordings, but all having to do with worship music.
Sunday, August 19, 2007 at 10:05PM 
Live worship albums have been a strange mixture of odd results over the years. From ultra-produced albums that have little semblance to the actual original recording from which they are founded to the "push play" recordings of raw worship with poor production, one always has to take the "live" moniker in an album title with a grain of musical salt. And this isn't just a recent thing- it is something that has been the way people have viewed "live worship" albums for now well over 15 years. But few people would disagree that the monumental contribution of Kevin Prosch's "Even So Come" album gave us the landmark for all attempts at live albums that would follow in the 13 or so years since its original release by Vineyard Music (back in 1991). We are elated to announce that Even So Come has now just be re-released and is available!
What is even more astounding about it is that while many have come after, attempting to mimic or even be inspired on to a better results- none, absolutely none, have surpassed Even So Come. On the musical side, this album has a supreme combination of more vibe, great musicianship, and wonderfully balanced production than any live album ever recorded in the worship genre, and most Christian music for that matter. Even if you aren't stylistically inclined towards Kevin Prosch's musical tastes, you simply can't ignore the great listening and engaging experience of this album. On the "worship" side of things, this album epitomizes the spiritual journey of the "dream" spontaneous worship set- a time when the obvious anointing of the Holy Spirit was so present that it was captured on the recording of this evening of worship.
This album starts off right, as a live offering-- inviting the listener to humble their hearts by joining in with the opening prayer led by Kevin Prosch. Walking through the songs on this album is a list of classics that now stand as some of the most unique and powerful lyrical and musical pieces played in churches in the last 20 years. The scripture-inspired prayer of "Show Your Power" catapults you into the experience from the first downbeat, as it has for thousands of churches around the globe. The great song, "Shout to the Lord" is a refreshing upbeat declaration of prayer and obedience to the direction of scripture to sing and even shout to the Lord. The next song is the title track- an ethereal, prayer song called "So Come" which invites Jesus to return to His bride the church in the manner of Revelations ("come Lord Jesus"). My favorite on the album, this song is as soothing to the soul as it is haunting to our sensibilities. This is one of the few songs I have ever used in a church service, that also has the strength and depth of content to be equally comforting at a funeral of a loved one (I have used it in both). The album truly moves on with the recording track of a spontaneous song, they titled "Great is the Lord", which highlights the amazing gifting of not only the musicians, but Prosch as truly an inspiring musical and lyrical gift to the whole church. This is followed by three more Prosch classics (His Banner Over Me, Thanks Lord, Save Us Oh God) which have also found their place across the worldwide church. Then comes another amazing spontaneous song, and finally the project concludes the way it began- with ministry and prayer.
What is even more amazing than the songs and this tremendous CD is the far-reaching effect of Kevin's ministry as an igniting force in the lives of innumerable worship leaders, from the local unknown worship leaders to now well-known ones such as Matt Redman, Darrell Evans and many more.
The re-release of this great album is welcomed back to where it belongs- a true gift to the world wide church! Absolutely no one should miss having this CD in their collection, whether the worshipping Christian, or the aspiring worship leader. It is such an important album on every level, we have to give it our Editor's Choice Award. The number one live worship album ever!
Product Link Even So Come : A Live Night of Worship at the Anaheim Vineyard
Review by Kim Gentes
album, anaheim, cd, even so come, kevin prosch, live, music, project, prosch, review, vineyard, worship in Awards, CD Review, Music Review