Kim Gentes

[Free Song Download "God Is Here" from Darlene Zschech- see at the bottom of the review.]

 We all know the song "Shout to the Lord". We all know that Darlene Zschech was its author and that she was the well-known face and voice of Hillsong Australia worship leadership for two decades.  After hearing she would be putting out a new live worship album, I was interested to hear it. Later, I heard Israel Houghton would be producing and I knew it would be a stellar musical experience. Well, I finally listened to the album. WOW!

Houghton's production and Zschech's voice would be enough for a great musical experience, but that is just the beginning here! In addition to combing the talents of these two musical Grammy winners, this album contains great songwriting/co-writing efforts, great guest vocals and the entire project is wrapped up in Darlene's genuine gifting as a worship leader. I went through this album several times. At first, I was just listening for great songs. But you can't listen long to this project before you are pulled (or hurled may be a better metaphor) into all out praise, celebration and worship.

Right from the first track, Darlene jumps into her trademark declarative, yet worshipful posture as one who is heralding an entire congregation to lift Jesus high and to acknowledge that "God Is Here". I was expecting to have to dig into the album before hitting the deep groove and great choruses, but no way! "God Is Here" is infectious and courageous-- a kind of call-to-worship song that is destined to be one of the new songs the global church will sing. Unashamed and anthemic, this song isn't fluffy proclamation, but is a powerful reflection of the Lord's prayer put into emphatic song calling on the Holy Spirit to open the gates of heaven, bring His Kingdom and His glory. The bridge is a powerful compliment to the verse/chorus prayer and answer pairing- it humbly ascents the powerful truth echoed by every creature or human to encounter the unshielded presence of the Living God as they sing "Holy, we cry holy. Hallelujah God is here!". Really, folks, this is a truly great song. A wonderful co-write by Darlene, Israel and Phil Wickham. Check this one out! You won't be disappointed!

Track 2, "Best For Me", is a rocket ship that takes off from the launch pad that "God Is Here" ends with! Israel and Meleasa Houghton write this driving song of worship, surrender and testimony and it is has all the energy you'd expect from an upbeat song from Israel. Moving into "All That We Are", another Israel co-written song with more "oohs" and lots of pop, driving bass and infectious melodies. Like many songs on this album, there is a great pop-choral backdrop to these vocals, often singing "ooohs" but doing great BGVs on all the songs is a list of stellar voices - and they sound amazing on this album.

Track 4, "In Jesus' Name", is the fourth upbeat song in the upfront section of this project and it doesn't let up the great music and melodies. Another great song from Darlene and Israel. What is most powerful about this song, though, is Darlene's amazingly personal and poignant interjection at around 5:30 in this track. Vamping down temporarily into the song bridge, she starts speaking about letting the words and scripture sink in deep to the hearts of people, letting them become prayers. And she does just that, she encourages people to let the words be sung over them. It is an unnerving song to listen to at this point. Darlene does with this song something more than affect, but tugs at the eternal longing in all of us for the consummation of God's kingdom in fullness, in a way that is reminiscent of what CS Lewis spoke about in The Weight of Glory

"In speaking of this desire...I feel a certain shyness. I am almost committing an indecency. I am trying to rip open the inconsolable secret in each one of you—the secret which hurts so much that you take your revenge on it by calling it names like Nostalgia and Romanticism and Adolescence; the secret also which pierces with such sweetness that when, in very intimate conversation, the mention of it becomes imminent, we grow awkward and affect to laugh at ourselves; the secret we cannot hide and cannot tell, though we desire to do both."1

With this song, Darlene opens up the listener to this kind of surrender and opportunity to connect and understand the nearness of God and His desire for His people. As someone who has been touched by the pain of cancer in the lives of people I love, this song made me come to tears as I prayed for family and friends who are suffering from physical sickness and pain. I found this song to be a sound track for such prayer, asking for God's healing and calling on him for resolution of His kingdom to defeat such pain in our lives.

With the fifth track, the album takes an steep and intentional decrescendo from tempo and volume only, not from excellence. "Your Presence is Heaven To Me" is one of my favorite songs on this project. After the first four songs, you are ready for something "down", and this song is just as endearing, in its own way, as the others that have come before. Like many of the other tracks, Israel's voice takes temporary lead on a phrase and stanza here and there, making this seem much less of a "solo" project than the title of the album might imply. This song is another Israel Houghton songwriting effort along with Micah Massey. The music and lyrics are perfectly matched, as they sing plaintiff surrender in the verse into anthemic thanks in the chorus :

Nothing in this world can satisfy
'Cause Jesus You're the cup that won't run dry
Oh Jesus You're the cup that won't run dry

Oh Jesus Your presence is heaven to me
Oh Jesus Your presence is heaven to me

"Victor's Crown" is the next track and becomes the biggest anthem on this album. Starting softly, it builds into gigantic declaration of sound and lyrics that ascends to pray in mid song that anything that comes against Christ will be brought down in light of seeing Christ receive his victor's crown. This song adds a huge drum part, a gorgeous strings section and emphatic bridge declaring "You will overcome" to Christ. Very good!

After listening through half the album, you might be tempted to believe that the good songs are all done. You'd be wrong! This project contains an unbelievably well arranged, played and integrated set of songs that are comprised of an older Hillsong repertoire song (Magnificent, track 8), a rearranged hymn (My Jesus, I Love Thee, track 9), an excellent modern chorus (Your Name/P.Baloche, track 10), a deep worship song (I Am Yours/MW Smith, track 11) and a great closing song (Jesus At The Center/Houghton, track 12). If you have the special CD/DVD limited version of this it also includes versions of "Shout to the Lord" and "Agnus Dei"!

I would have to write pages more to completely explain this album. Instead, I can just give this recommendation. Go now. Get it. Really. I thought I had already heard some great albums this year, but this one is simply on another level in both musical production and a complete worship experience. This album easily gets my nod as "Editor's Choice Album" and is currently my top candidate for this years best album. I can't imagine anything beating it out, but it is still early in the year. But don't take my word for it- go listen to the audio samples online.

For churches using WorshipTeam.com, all of the songs, chord charts, lyrics and audio from this album are already available and pre-loaded for you in the WorshipTeam.com system song database. If you are not part of WorshipTeam.com and want to listen to audio samples or purchase the album directly yourself, see the Amazon link below.

 
Additionally, our friends at Integrity Music have also granted us permission to give you access to the audio and chord chart for the song "God Is Here" as a free download for a limited time directly here, so you will find it below.

Go check out this album folks. I am not kidding. It's ballistic.

Worshiping God!

Kim Gentes

Free Song Download "God Is Here" from the latest Darlene Zschech album "Revealing Jesus"

1. Lewis, C. S. (2009-06-03). Weight of Glory (Collected Letters of C.S. Lewi) (Kindle Locations 298-302). HarperCollins. Kindle Edition. 

This week I was researching in preparation for Easter, hoping to find some great resources that we could highlight here. One resource that I found is a truly great new song from our friends at Hillsong Australia. The song called "Man of Sorrows" is a brilliant combination of theological verses about the betrayed, suffering, killed and finally ressurected Christ, who is glorified with praise in a vibrant chorus

"Now my soul cries out
'Hallelujah! Praise and honour unto Thee.'"

"Man of Sorrows" is a single they are going to release on an album later in July of this year. But, they have released the song early since it is really an Easter song. I love it. Musically, this song is arranged straightforward, cadenced slightly with guitar overlays that make it "hymn-like", if that can be a style. Very singable, but with a style and lyrics that resound to the authority of Christ as He rises from the grave in the triumph of Easter. The lyrics borrow from allusions to Philip Bliss' "Hallelujah What a Savior" and tacitly to George Bernard's "The Old Rugged Cross". But more than direct quotes, "Man of Sorrows" uses punctuated lingual style and phrases of the hymns ("to that tree", "on Jesus laid", "honour unto Thee", "is free indeed", "His own betrayed") that will endear the song both to those who love traditional hymn-style and to the newer power of the great modern choruses.

This is a wonderful song that can be opened up to full engagement by a congregation, whether just with a guitar or a full band or a whole choir- a wonderful worship experience. It is a standout strong song, that can easily be adapted and used in most churches. This is especially true with Easter Sunday just a couple weeks away. Something to definitely consider for that "big Easter" song that everyone can join in with, be surprised  (shouldn't there be some "surprise" in our Easter!) with and celebrate the Resurrection with!

Below you will find download links for both the PDF lead line sheet music and the mp3 audio file.

We hope you find it helpful for this season.

Be sure to chime in and let us know what you thought (post comments below) and you are welcome to share this with friends on Facebook and twitter with your friends. 

Free Song Download "Man of Sorrows" from Hillsong

"Man of Sorrows" Already in WorshipTeam.com

This song has been pre-loaded for all those who use Worshipteam.com for their worship planning. You can include it in your set planning this week! If you are a member, simply login and find it in the song database, or under "New Songs" tab. If you aren't a member, you can check out Worshipteam.com for free for a month (more info here).

Article by Kim Gentes 

Woah! Worship music redefined? With the last 10 years, what has been defined as a "worship album" has become a moving target. Well friends, the target has just moved again. Hillsong United's "Zion" departs from the stadium anthems and deep grooved choruses of their previous albums and the standard mix of the 4/5 piece "praise band" is traded in for electronics, pop-production ballads and an "Owl City"-esque layering of arrangements. Even the vocals are pulled back to set the songs into an artistic place never before seen on any Hillsong (United or otherwise) project. Experimental electronica, orchestral pad swells, breathy solo vocals, deep reverb and loop-timed guitar arpeggios all make this recording seem an almost surreal departure for Hillsong United. 

I found this a very unique album to get used to. Because it is much more of an initial listening experience than a typical "worship album", you might be tempted to start listening for "usable songs"- but taking that approach won't work, at least not initially. What you must do with this album is listen to it 4 or 5 times first- just sit. Listen. After the songs go through your head and heart enough times, you will find yourself really loving this project. Then, you are ready. Listen through it again for what might be songs that could fit and work in your local context. There will be some, perhaps several. But take the time.

So much of this album sounds like something new, literally every track is worth a listen. The album starts like a euro-pop 80's hit radio barrage with front track "Relentless" leading into a beat driven chorus of

Your love is relentless
Your love is relentless

Track two, "Up In Arms" beckons to more European sounds with whistles and pipes bubbling over drum cadence, and while gradually flowing into full refrains it infectiously implants the melody in your head long before the song ends (that is despite this song's vague, aimless and scattered lyrical themes). "Scandal of Grace" is a 6/8 departure with acoustic guitar only intro on a parched dry vocal- but once again, this builds eventually into an "all in" chorus.

When I hit "Oceans" I found myself weeping in surrendered prayer along with the song, as Taya Smith sang against a backdrop of stripped down pads and electronic drums. With a Leigh Nash-esque style, her vocals lilt and soar to make this song a poweful ocean of experience and prayer. Really, really good.

And so this album goes.. ranging from songs that sound like 80's euro-pop to modern day acoustic, unplugged. Stops made along the way will range across sounds like more organic bands such as "City Harmonic" and "Rend Collective Experiment" to electronica "Owl City".  And while there is a definite thread of electronica loops and tones that sow this album together, its clear that the Hillsong United crew was looking to step completely out of the "worship rock" world their youth concerts are known for. Even the end of the album keeps throwing twists your way- from the stripped back piano ballad of "King of Heaven", the John Mark McMillan styled "Arise", to the overdriven bass on "Mountain" that leads into a few big choruses.

For myself, my three favorite tracks on this project are "Oceans", "Scandal of Grace" (both previously mentioned) and "A Million Suns" (track 10), whose strange 70's cheesy organ sound blithely tags the song sections into a surprisingly well scripted lyrical adoration of

Jesus the First, the Last,
the Bright and Morning Star

In sum, this album is a brilliant musical exploration of what worship groups and songwriters can do when the "limitations" are taken off. There is much to like here and, excepting the directionless lyrical approach of "Up In Arms", the rest of the album not only scores strongly on musical vibrancy and enjoyment, but lands some solid songs that (perhaps re-arranged) could find their way into youth groups and Sunday morning worship services.  You must listen to this album. It is truly unique and truly a gift.

For churches using WorshipTeam.com, all of the songs, chord charts, lyrics and audio are already available and pre-loaded for you in the WorshipTeam.com system song database. If you are not part of WorshipTeam.com and want to listen to audio samples or purchase the album directly yourself, see the Amazon link below.

As is my practice lately, before listening the album, I grabbed my guitar, capo and pick. I went into my office, turned on my computer, and logged into Worshipteam.com. I found most of the album with chord charts, lyrics and audio. I went through the album in real-time, with the charts in front of me, playing along. After playing through 7 songs, I was worshiping along, loving the music and in the thankful mood of Christmas- glorifying God for the gift of His Son!

After learning (and loving) about half a dozen songs (and arrangements) from the album, I then put down my guitar. Leaned back and closed my eyes as I listened and worshiped along with the album. And what a joy it was!

The project starts in a bubbling cadence with the Christmas favorite "O Come Let Us Adore Him". I have always loved this song, as it represents a wonderful merge of Christmas themes and worshipful surrender language for the part of the celebrant. Next comes a banjo framed revision of "Joy To The World". The song itself is very simply arranged and clearly sung, with the banjo plucking and choral vocal meanderings edging the main sections of the song. Beautiful!

The third track is a new Christmas original from Hillsong Music. Again, the sound of percussive rhythms and banjo plucking shows how extensive the influences of recent bluegrass, roots (a la Mumford & Sons) sounds have penetrated into the modern worship writing/recording. "Born Is the King" is a celebration of joy that everyone can stomp their feet and lift their heart in thanks to God for His gracious gift!

Track five shares an extended and appropriately clear rendition of  "O Holy Night". Stripped away to its perfect balance of emptiness (in the beginning) to full aria (near the ending sections), Hillsong musicians and vocalists don't try to reinterpret this sacred worship song of the season, but simply sing it to it's joyful fullness. Excellent!

The title track, "We Have A Savior" (of course, in Australia, it is "We Have A Saviour") is an ebb and flow 6/8 call to worship song. It is as infectious as it is haunting. Wonderfully thoughtful music that holds the structure for these glistening lyrics and more:

A child has been given

The King of our freedom

Sing for the light has come

this is Christmas

Each of the songs on this Christmas worship collection are wrought with attention to their acoustical and lyrical beauty. I loved every sweet line, even the unchanged renditions of ancient favorites are beautifully done.  One especially unique song was the very rustic rendition of "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen"- in which case the rustic is referring to banjos, clap percussion, tamborines and violins. 

My favorite song here was the magnificent "Gloria (Angels We Have Heard On High)", not only because it retains the undaunting power of its original form, but is not overproduced into an unaccessible peice for local worship teams. This is a fine line and Hillsong perfects the balance nicely.

If you are a local church looking for worshipful songs and arrangements that will definitely work for Christmas- "We Have A Savior" has literally a dozen songs you should listen to. Every track on this album is worthy of the Christmas season! As a worship leader, I played along with the entire album (guitar, capo and pick in hand) and had no trouble with the complexity or arrangements! There were few songs that definitely were written for female lead vocals, but nothing could be more appropriate for a nice mixture in your Christmas worship selections.

For churches using WorshipTeam.com, most the songs, chord charts and audio are already available and pre-loaded for you in the WorshipTeam.com system song database. If you are not part of WorshipTeam.com and want to listen to audio samples or purchase the album directly yourself, see the Amazon link below.

Amazon Link: http://amzn.to/Vl3V55

Review by Kim Gentes

Our friends at Hillsong Australia contacted us this week wondering if our readers might be interested in getting a free MP3 and sheet music copy of their new song "Cornerstone".

Of course, I was happy to say "yes!"

Based on the hymn "The Solid Rock", Cornerstone is a brilliant anthem of Christ's Lordship, which is perfect for the glorious celebrations coming up for our Easter Sunday's.

Below you will find download links for both the PDF lead line sheet music and the mp3 audio file.

We hope you find it helpful for this season.

Be sure to chime in and let us know what you thought (post comments below) and you are welcome to share this with friends on Facebook and twitter with your friends. 

Free Song Download "Cornerstone" from Hillsong

"Cornerstone" Already in WorshipTeam.com

Thanks to our friends at Hillsong Australia, this song has been pre-loaded for all those who use Worshipteam.com for their worship planning. You can include it in your set planning this week! If you are a member, simply login and find it in the song database, or under "New Songs" tab. If you aren't a member, you can check out Worshipteam.com for free for a month (more info here).

Article by Kim Gentes