Kim Gentes

Joyful, unencumbered and refreshing. These are the thoughts that come to mind as you sit down and worship along with worship leader Carl Tuttle's latest studio CD 'Vineyard Classics'. These are some of the most poignant, worshipful songs you will ever hear. At the core of this album is simplicity and devotion. The songs are accessible in their musical and lyrical arrangements, though the album is very well produced and sonically pleasing. For those who are familiar with the songs that have come out of the Vineyard music stream in the last 25 years, they may be aware of the foundational component that Carl Tuttle and his music have played in forming the Vineyard values and style in its music content and writing.

On this album Carl revisits the best songs he has penned and captures fresh and engaging recordings of these great songs. From the celebrative 'Lift Jesus Higher' and 'Hosanna' to the repentant 'Oh Lord, Have Mercy on Me' to the glorious 'All The Earth Shall Worship', song after song will wash a sense of peace and truth into your heart. It's interesting to me that as I look at these songs, so much of the lyric content is simply capturing the message or direct content of the Psalms, or various other scriptures.

As a worship leader myself, I have a repertoire of songs from across many groups. I use some UK worship songs (Redman, Hughes, Delirious et al), Passion worship (Tomlin, etc), Integrity music (Doerksen, Ten Shekel Shirt), recent Vineyard music (Dwell, David Ruis, Andy Park etc), and a smattering of other sources (from Third Day tunes to old hymns). I mention this because it might help those who have similar song sets in their local churches. Over the last several years, as these songs have grown and expanded into our local churches, the music has become increasingly well produced and more complicated in arrangement. While it gives us fresh music with interesting sounds, in an effort to make each song more interesting, more engaging, more unique, it seems that we may have lost something. This new album from Carl Tuttle, reminded me of the simplicity and power of songs speaking of repentance, humility and simple abandon to falling at the feet of Jesus.

What I try to do, as a worship leader, is to hold in tension two things: following the dynamic direction of God for the moment, and using a collection of well-thought, scripturally-centered songs that present the complete picture of Christ and his works. What I love about this album is that it reminds me of one of the most important themes that can easily disappear from our music selections- the song of repentance. The seeds of revival and renewal have always been prayer and repentance (2 Chron. 7:14). Three songs on this album are powerful in that regard of giving us language to express our human weakness while inviting Christ's redemption to overwhelm us- 'Without Your Love', 'Because of the Lord's Great Love', and my favorite 'Oh Lord, Have Mercy On Me'. I recently reintroduced this last song to our local church during worship and it was very engaging. What I'd like to convey most of all is that this is an album that lyrically encourages you to simply bow down at the feet of Jesus.

Those of you who have long known these songs will be happy to find this CD of excellent songs collected into one release. Those who haven't heard these before, I strongly encourage you to check out this CD and be refreshed. A truly great album!

Product Link Carl Tuttle's Vineyard Classics

Review by Kim Gentes

Who do you think made the follow two statements? A church pastor? An evangelist? 

'It's far too easy to throw bread from a distance, and to have it in no way engaging your heart.'

'I think the Lord has been challenging us to... get involved with the poor and that it be a real and honest and open expression of who we are as a church.'

(taken from the interview with Eogan Heaslip)

Well, the speaker is the young worship leader who brings us the latest Hosanna Integrity project, 'Mercy'. Eogan Heaslip expresses with passion the kind of heart and ministry that is the center of an outreach oriented church, called CORE in Dublin Ireland. Eogan (pronounced 'Owen') uses that same passion from the Lord to not only fuel an ongoing pursuit to reaching his local community, but to write music and lead worship. And fortunately for us, this is a passion worth bringing to the nations, with this new album, 'Mercy'.

As you can tell, I am particularily impressed with the heart and ministry behind this music. Additional to that, however, is some truly great music. As the CD perculates through the first song, the sounds of pop-rock intersect with acoustic guitar into a swell that welcomes the listener to nod their head and worship in beckon prayer and praise. 'All I Want To Do' is a good selection for the opening track. It's combination of progressive programmed rhythm and guitar-laced instrumentation a beckoning musical call. Not driven, but with much more edge and 'reality' than a pop-radio song the music is perfect for a group of longing hearts to sing out:

'All I want to do is to be close to You,
And all I want to say is thank You for the way,
You love me, You love me.'

Then in declaration, the chorus opens up into proclamation with saying 'You are faithful, to all that you have promised...' Simple, but intruiging, this is excellent as a call to worship song, bringing us together to declare, as one Body, our intention of drawing towards Christ in thanks for His love and faithfulness.

Flowing immediately into the next song, 'All That Matters' continues with the singular devotion of lyric and focus by stating, 'You are all that matters, all that satisfies, all that gives me life'. This upbeat song has a fun tempo along with a bass line that is reminiscient of Brian Doerksen's 'Light the Fire Again'. But the lyric content again is penetrating, saying 'Lord my life is in your hands, you fasion me, you form me. Fulfill your purpose and your plan.' Line after line speaks in surrender, bowing the heart low in submission to Christ's will. Once again, this song is singable and joyfully playable in most worship/praise band settings.

The instrumentation and arrangements simplify and breathe with 'Your Love', a song which is a weave of thankful and love-themed threads. For most of the songs on this album, the writer stays succint and consistent. Largely full of thanks and declaration of God's character, the album majors on lyrics talking about God's faithfulness, love, and (yes) mercy! Arrangements are relatively straightforward, lending opportuntity for swift congregational adoption into church services. As the album rises and falls in tempo and rhythms, the texture of Eogan's voice urges us on, an interesting combination of dry and breathy tones, but with grit enough to call you to attention. And while worship never stops on this album, listening to Heaslip's voice is certainly intruiging. By the sixth track, the feel mellows considerably and the sounds, rhythms and lyrics of an old Kevin Prosch song (Break Our Hearts) are blended as the introduction to a timely rendition of O Come Let Us Adore Him. The singing and spontaneous words of praise and humility echoing from the congregation are retained in this track especially, and it fits beautifully. If you aren't in crumbling posture of humility and abandon along with the lyrics and music of this CD by this point, you might want to check your pulse.

The next song drives straight into heart cry of Heaslip's constant prayer in this project for 'True Intimacy'. Still with bubbling programmed rhythm, percussion and light acoustical arrangements, this song builds and ebs through an honest prayer language of simple devotion to Christ, declaring 'You're all I am longing for'. One other thing that happens a number of times on this CD is a wonderful reminder of the power of congregation refrains sung a capella. Just beautiful! The songs roll on, through pop-rock, brit-rock and anthem sounds and even back to an acoustic guitar and keyboard offering with Heaslip joining label-mate Brian Doerksen singing the song 'The Father's Love'. Wonderful! The album concludes with the title track 'Lord Have Mercy' and the popular Tim Hughes song 'Here I Am To Worship'.

To get a good sense of the CD, I encourage you to check out the audio clips online (there are clips for every song!). After listening to those, hearing Eogan's heart on the online video, and reading the above text transcript of more Q&A with Eogan, I think you will be ready to check out this CD seriously. I liked it enough to give it an Editor's Choice Award, because of the easily adoptable songs, strong lyrical messages of thankfulness and Scripture-themed declarations of God's character, and very fine musical accomplishments and arrangements on this CD. I pray this passion and and music ignites across the earth in ministry as poignant as what the Lord is doing in CORE church and with Eogan Heaslip.

Product Link Mercy - Eoghan Heaslip

Review by
Kim Gentes

A single voice echoes through the halls of an historic church in Dublin, Ireland. Shortly, the voice of that young chorister joins not just a band on a worship recording, but the choir of human history singing an anthem whose message is as old as Abraham, but as timeless as the long awaited return of Christ.

The LORD had said to Abram, 'Leave your country, your people and your father's household and go to the land I will show you. I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing.'

Ever since the call of Abram back in Genesis 12, the challenge to all of us has been to turn our attention to the greatness of God, especially in light of the discouragement of the earthly conditions that surround us. As the title track 'You Shine' plays on, the lyrics synthesize this struggle perfectly, saying:

In this world we will have trouble
But You have overcome the world
You shine brighter than the brightest star...
You shine, filling us with courage and strength
To follow You

Welcome to the the first track of the new worship project 'You Shine', from Brian Doerksen and Integrity Hosanna Music.

In keeping with his modus operandi, Doerksen places his most significant new song offering right on the first track, and in that sense, he also sets the tone for the album. For this album is not just about singing joyful answers (though it certainly does that)- it is about the struggle, the questions, and, yes, the joy of living in the resting place of God's love and strength. For those not familiar with him, Brian Doerksen is a worship leader from the Vineyard tradition, having written dozens of tremendous songs (including Refiner's Fire, Light the Fire Again, and many others) and recorded on over a dozen albums.

This spectacular new album, 'You Shine', palettes a wonderful song spectrum, adding seven newly-written Doerksen songs, four modern classics from his Vineyard repetiore, and a redone version of the church hymn 'It Is Well'.

Certainly the title track is the song which will gain huge acceptance in the global church, through this recording. But I would strongly encourage you to set aside an afternoon or evening and take the journey archived for us on this recording. As the power of the chorus drives home the hopeful message of 'You Shine', the listener is left perfectly at the doorstep of praise for the second song, 'Hallelujah (Your Love is Amazing)'. This popped-up version of the already classic UK Vineyard birthed song will carry your heart through the lyrics with musical bliss running through a path of crisp, exciting electric guitar, celtic bridges with violins, flutes and whistles, and a drum-framed acepella chorus. For the audiophiles, hearing these first two songs will make it clear that there is a level of excellence in this album that places the production on a whole other strata for Brian and his creative crew (who are the some of the same amazing musicians he has been recording with for years).

It is hard to deny the amazing timeliness of these songs. The third song, 'I Am Convinced', speaks succinctly to God's response to the deep sense of fear that has been imbedding North America around this one year anniversary of 9/11. It says

Violence or danger
Hunger or shame
Won't separate us
From the love of God

The song answers wonderfully drawing from the Corinthian text:

So high so wide so measureless, filling eternity
So strong so deep so intimate
Encircling mystery
That nothing can take Your love from me

The next few songs walk through Gaelic prayers with 'You Surround Me', the Vineyard classics with 'Faithful One', and the deeply personal struggles of life with 'Your Faithfulness'. I won't talk through all the great songs on this album, but would very strongly encourage you to spend time listening and praise and worshipping along with this album. You should especially highlight the following songs when searching for materials usable in your local church, and with your music and worship teams: 'You Shine', 'Hallelujah', 'I Am Convinced', 'Faithful One', 'Hope of the Nations', 'I Lift My Eyes Up', 'With All My Affection' and a lyrically updated version of 'Come Now is the Time to Worship' (includes new second chorus).

You will love this new recording from Brian Doerksen, and will find it an ample archive of excellent new songs for your local church. Thankfully, Integrity's Hosanna music brand has made this a useful church resource, by making available accompanying songbook and split tracks products as well. From the album liner notes and song stories, the only complaint I would have is a question as to why this project didn't also produce an accompanying VHS/DVD video of the live night of worship. Some of the moments and prayers were so poignant, I am sure it would have been a wonderful experience to share.

And while you will think deeply about the pains and struggles of life as you hear some of the lyrics of these songs, the overwhelming theme of God's powerful hope and love will surge into the forefront of your thoughts as you sing and bless the Lord with the album 'You Shine'. In many ways, Brian Doerksen is relaunching the Hosanna brand for Integrity with this new album, bringing to it sounds and raw passion that echo the heartbeats of so much of the worldwide church.

Don't pass by this new project, or by the great songs it gathers for us. You won't be dissappointed. In keeping with my lauds for this project, I am very happy to give this project our Editor's Choice Award. The great thing is, you don't have to take my word for it, you can check out the RealAudio sound clips for yourself.

Product Link You Shine - Brian Doerksen

Blessings in the Hope of Israel,
Review by Kim Gentes

P.S. Musicians and worship leaders, don't forget to check out the songbook and/or split track resources so you can put these songs to use in your local church