Kim Gentes

So far, this year has been a pleasant surprise with some exceptional albums that have released already from Kim Walker-Smith's "Still Believe" (Jesus Culture), Passion's and Tomlin's perennial releases, Darlene Zschech's brilliant "Revealing Jesus" and now the most dynamic live recording you may ever hear- "Only A Shadow [live]" by Misty Edwards. Edwards is a worship leader and songwriter with International House of Prayer (IHOP) in Kansas City. Her new album, released by Forerunner, is recorded in conjunction with the OneThing conference just held a few months ago.

Describing this album would be almost impossible without words such as prophetic, spontaneous and dramatic. Edwards style and her musical and vocal nuances evoke comparisons to the modern rock drama- especially when you consider the lyrical content she is covering. This album is entralling and worshipful- a moving experience based in powerful dramatic renderings of scripture, song lyrics and spontaneous spoken sections. One could easily imagine Edwards being the lead in a modern rock musical. Her voice arrests you, her passion explodes through the lyrics and her range crosses effortlessly from low tones to soaring arias.

All this comes out in powerful fashion right up front as the album begins. Track one (called "Ezekiel 1") is a song in which Misty Edwards recites several verses from the first chapter of Ezekiel. Underlying the track with a G minor chord, the music rhythmically ebbs and flows around her recitation of the scripture. Combining the pulsating music, her passion and her dynamics turn the scripture into just as strange a presentation as the text itself contains (anyone who has read Ezekiel knows how shocking the text is). And that is the point- Edwards makes the message and musical media become so synchronous the readings, lyrics and spoken encouragements / admonitions leave you captivated.

This album is not a set of disconnected tracks- it is a single, brilliant, intentional and captivating experience. Edwards and her musical team execute a carefully woven musical story of passion, commitment, scripture, surrender and thanksgiving that draws the listener in by its undulating musical presentation, skilful melodies and musical hooks, deft arrangements and the overwhelming power of Edwards' own vocal gift. I had heard that Misty Edwards was primarily a "prophetic" worship leader (whatever that is supposed to connate). For that reason, I expected the album would be largely tracks of ad lib sections without congregational participation. But I was quite wrong- this album's most surprising feature was the number of tracks that left me singing out with the chorus portions of many songs. While there were definitely a lot of ad lib/musical vamps in which Edwards launched into largely solo explorations, each of those felt well-spaced and not overly self-involved. They move the listener as they seem to have moved Edwards.

That said, this album will not be for everyone. But let me highly caution those who think they know what "prophetic worship" is (and might be ready to "pass" on this album)- do not skip passed this project. It is not only an absolutely amazing musical experience, it is a beautiful dramatic presentation with a worship leader whose ability to cross from ad lib to scripted, solo to congregational and dramatic to melodic sections is nothing short of enthralling. And it all fits its purpose- one is not pushed to be in awe of Edwards (though in other venues, this would surely be the effect). Rather, I constantly found myself being pulled into the stream of the praise, engaging, and worshiping. And then later, I was silent, listening, and reverent of the God and King who had become the object of Edwards' burning obsession in whatever ad lib section she had come to. It is truly an experience unlike any other.

If you have never heard an album of music from IHOP or Misty Edwards, I can't recommend this any higher- take some time to listen and experience this album. It is beautiful and unlike anything you have encountered in the "worship music" genre. A unique and needed stream- a gift to the Body of Christ.

Thankfully, you don't have to take my word for it. This entire worship experience was captured in HD video and is presented on the IHOP website via streaming video (which we've embedded here below). I encourage you to settle back and enjoy as much of this as you can. It's amazing!

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. In fact, to the best of our knowledge WorshipTeam.com is currently the only place yet to have any charts from this album! 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.

Again, folks check out the video below and hear/see some of the songs on this album. An incredible experience!

Worshiping God!

Kim Gentes

Seth Parks isn't a person I have met before. But I know something about him. It's likely he enjoys music, but isn't enamored by it. It's likely he is well versed in life's pain and struggle, yet remains satisfied at the place of quiet confidence in Christ. And, oh ya, it's likely he knows how to put the dialog of his journey with Christ down onto paper in the form of good music, and devotional praise. How do I know this? I have been listening to his new worship CD. This new worship project is a diary of sorts telling the beauty and ashes, pains and joys struggle that declares 'Here is Life'.

From pensive steps in easy listening ballads to driving acoustic rock, Seth Parks highlights the journey of life with what real life is made of-- from the mundane to the brilliant! Whether intentional or simply the fruit of his life, everything on this new CD is connected with that premise. His declaration is that if the story of life with Jesus is worth telling at all, it is worth telling in honesty, and expressing through exceptional lyrics and genuinely innovative rhythms and melodies.

The songs found on this CD are superb. Creating continuity across lyric and music, Parks has made songs like 'Be Still' and 'Great And Marvelous' say and sound one message when the music actually follows with ardent purpose the content of the lyrics- very well done! The lyric-writing captures an crispness that can only present in a heart that has actually touched Christ's heart as Seth Parks says 'Jesus, where life in You is my reality' in title track 'Here Is Life' or when he sings these lines from the 'Great And Marvelous' track : 'So let heaven sound with Christ's reward/ And let earth exalt this Champion Lord/ Who triumphs over all His courses run/ Whose glory far outshines the sun/ Sing blessing to this Blessed King/ When, with justice, fear and love He brings/ I will bow and kiss the Son'.

And while the lyrics are well worth the listening, they are equaled by a consist ant strength and depth in both melodic support and musical creativity. In fact, after listening to the first 3 or 4 songs you may be tempted to think that Seth Parks wouldn't have much more new to say, but you would be wrong. This CD finishes as strong as it starts (which is saying a lot, considering the first two songs are so exceptional) with a great medley of 'Crucified' and 'Psalm 113' (a spontaneous song).

If you are looking for content for your local church, this CD has 6 songs I believe are especially strong in this regard (though musical tastes might find you selecting completely different songs at this point). The songs 'Here is Life', 'Be Still', 'Great And Marvelous', 'Strong Tower', 'Crucified' and 'Psalm 113' would all have application. All the songs on this CD are worthy of listening, but to get a good taste of the songs, be sure to go online and listen to the track samples and judge for yourself.

Because of the tremendous giftedness expressed in these songs, the wonderful music accompanying them, and the foresight to provide the church with the printed chord charts on the enhanced CD portion of this new project, I am happy to award 'Here Is Life' with the Editor's Choice Award.

Product Link Here Is Life - Seth Parks

Blessings,
Kim Gentes

p.s. a complete chord songbook for this album is INCLUDED on this CD!! Yes, this is an enhanced CD. Almost unheard of for an independent release, Seth Parks obviously cares about resourcing the church. Very rarely will independent projects include songbooks, but never do they actually include that content right on the CD! Kudos to Seth for having the foresight and putting in the work to see these songs are available for the Body of Christ to use in worship. So don't worry about buying something separate to get the chord charts for these great songs, just buy it here.

After listening to this album repeatedly, I couldn't believe I was listening to an independent release. I have listened to hundreds of songs by independent worship leaders, publishers and so on. Many of them are good worship, but most are clearly not meant for "the nations", instead are God's gift to a local body. Not so with this new albums from Seth Peterson (Angels Dancing). This guy is clearly gifted and the project has superb lyrical craftsmanship. This project which will go to the nations, not just because of the skill level involved, but because of the creative gifting and anointing on this worship leader.

I loved the passion and grittiness of Angels Dancing. This project is clearly "Gen-X" worship with a edge and passion that will be loved by youth up through baby boomers. Great vocals, haunting themes and lyrics. Some wonderfully thoughtful worship songs.

Product Link: This project is not available online anywhere, but if you are interested in it, send me a note (Contact Us) and I will put you in direct contact with Seth Peterson, who still has some copies of this great project.

Review by Kim Gentes