Kim Gentes

For over 15 years, one of the most acclaimed worship recordings has been this now classic from Robin Mark. Revival In Belfast is a truly remarkable recording for several reasons, but the main one is this- authenticity. Guided by award winning producer Paul Mills, this recording delivers a brilliant collage of uilleann pipes, pennywhistles and the honest cries of North Ireland through the voice and music of Robin Mark. This recording hits the pinnacle of what every artists hopes to achieve- authenticity with artful skill. You believe every word, every instrument, every prayer in this experience embodied in this album for the simple reason that it is exactly what it appears to be - a true worship-filled exchange of a congregation praising their God.

Robin Mark has penned most of the songs on this landmark album, and they remain classics even today.  From Revival, to Jesus, All For Jesus and even the epiphinal Days of Elijah, each of these songs ring as true for us as they do for Robin Mark. Other classics Shout to The North (written by Martin Smith) and Be Unto Your Name (written by Lynn DeShazo and Gary Sadler) are incorporated in perfect style to fit the nuance of this cultural Irish worship collection.

While the writing and music are authentic, the narrative of this project is nonetheless directed and intentional. This is clear from the song order, pacing of each arrangement and its final track which is the climax to a perfect live experience. In my opinion, this album has one intention, one clear purpose- to point you to the heralding call of its final song.  As you weave through the experience of this Irish musical countryside, you end up at the masterpeice that is Days of Elijah. And without leaving the authentic narrative that has brought you to this point, Robin Mark and producer Paul Mills take this experience to a whole other level.  Flute, organ pads glide you gently into rising anthem. Mark's acoustic guitar strums softly, and the rhythm draws you into the song.  They lyrics open to a contrasting hope of Biblical characters Elijah, Moses and David with the worl'ds current state of brokenness, loss and desolation saying "and though these the days of great trial, of famine and darkness and sword".  

Mark uses a destinctly John the Baptist tone, declaring "Behold He comes riding on the clouds." The chorus is a blissful hope declaration ringing to the truth of the Christ's return as the hope for all Christians and indeed the world. The lyrics written on a page might appear like a bit of a collection of "Christian cliche" today, but they sound anything but that when you listen to this tremendous recording. The blissful conclusion to this recording is the final prayer that Robin Mark administers with graceful humility. Then, just as you think the recording has concluded, a final rousing chorus is rallied with such passion, such authenticity, such artful effusion one is often left in tears. I certainly am.

For over 10 years, people have seemed to agree with this kind of lauding of this project. Indeed for a full 10 years, this project stayed in the top 40 sales of all products on WorshipMusic.com, outselling more than any other project in the last 15 years- including top charting collections like WOW Worship, iWorship and all others. Something about Revival In Belfast struck the heart of worshipers around the globe for more than a full decade. Phenomenal!

If you haven't had a chance to enjoy this amazing experience, take this opportunity to enjoy something hundreds of thousands of Christians worldwide have experienced.  You won't be dissappointed.

Product Link:   Revival in Belfast

Worshiping with you,

Kim Gentes

[Free Song Download "Trading My Sorrows" from Darrell Evans- see at the bottom of the review.]

Over the years, I have heard literally thousands of worship CDs. I have evaluated a few hundred projects personally, and ended up writing over 100 professional reviews. Of all the albums I have heard, I don't know of a better studio recording on a worship project than this incredible album by Darrell Evans.  It is now about 15 years since Darrell shocked the world with Freedom in what amounts to the standard in a studio worship recording. Listening to this project now, I am still overwhelmed by a sense of God's presence, still hurled into worship authentic praise, and still taking to my knees and crying right along with the sincerity and reality of the music and lyrics in the songs on this album.

I place this project even above some of the other iconic recordings such as Shout to The Lord (Hillsongs), Lift Him Up (Ron Kenoly), Hungry (Brian Doerksen), Sonicflood (Sonicflood), Intimacy (Matt Redman), Arriving (Chris Tomlin), Passion: Better Is One Day (Passion), Worship (Michael W. Smith) and others.  I recognize that some of these albums mentioned are "live" productions, but they nonetheless left an indelible mark on worship in the church worldwide.  And yet, I believe Freedom stands alone as the landmark studio recording. Why? For five reasons:

• An amazing collection of original songs. Freedom has such a diversity of top notch songs, it is hard to believe they all came together on one project. From CCLI top song "Trading My Sorrows", to radio pop "So Good To Me" and pounding "Freedom", to blissful "Your Love Is Extravagant" and unashamed "I Am In Love With You", these songs are a trek of total abandon- but in such a package of raw lyrical passion and perfectly matched melodies and music, it's a text book for any aspiring worship writer. You won't find a writer/artist who is more at home with his work than Darrell is on this album. It feels natural because it is. Wow.
• Unbelievable musicianship, production and artistry. It is hard to talk about the musical prowess of this album without highlighting three main points- Darrell Evan's unstoppable passionate vocals, Lincoln Brewster's unmatched electric guitar treatments, and Paul Mills' masterful production. This album breathes in a way that only a perfect synchronicity of contributors could produce. The ebb and flow of this project is a testament to everyone letting the best of their skills surface at just the right time. Just one (of many) pristine moments on this CD is the song "I Am In Love With You", which highlights what may be the best guitar solo on any worship recording ever- absolutely brilliant. There is so much to talk about in this area, it would mean walking through each song. Instead of doing that, I encourage you to simply listen to the entire album and experience the immersion of this amazing musical journey.
• A truly complete "project" in scope, theme, and concept. Lost in the digital world of the 2010 and beyond era, is the concept of a complete "album". Darrell Evans' Freedom, conversely, is the epitome of the album concept- a perfect coalescence of songs, themes, tempos, intensity, ebb, flow and lyrics. Everything feels naturally like it fits, makes difference, and contributes to the overall work of this project.  Musicians, artists and songwriters today should listen to Freedom and consider the amazing diversity of content, that still amazingly feels like a perfect cohesive unit. Nothing wasted, but everything was risked- and it hit the jackpot.
• Brilliant variety and balance of praise, worship, prayer and declaration. The themes of church music liturgy seem to have a ebb and flow to them over the last 40 years. Paradoxical concepts like transcendence and immanence have not typically survived being placed on a single project. Yet, this album has a breadth that is uncommon though not frankenstein in nature.  God is found to be powerful and glorified in the lyrics (So Good To Me, Freedom), and yet he is still near and comforting (I Am In Love With You, You Are My Portion).
• Passion. Rip everything else away from this album and you would still find Darrell Evans standing in a room alone, belting out his voice, percussively strumming his guitar and singing his prayers to God. One thing you will hear ringing loud and clear on this project is the unstoppable passion Darrell puts into every word, every strum. There is not a single ounce of fear, hesitation or worry in any word, strum, beat or lyric here. Everything is so raw (I do not mean poor music, but rather uncorked honesty), it can even be a little affronting to the uninitiated. Suddenly, you realized you are in the middle of a worship time that is serious, personal, passionate. Something you would normal come to expect more of a live recording, but it is captured here in pristine form.

If you are one of the few people who haven't bought this entire album, I can't tell you with any more clarity than this- buy it. Buy it now. You will not regret it. More than a decade and a half after its release, and it still blows away almost every worship recording you hear. This is not a trip down nostalgia lane, it is a reckoning with reality- we haven't moved the needle as high as this in worship recording, and it may be a long time before we do. Serious friends, listen to it. And be blown away.

This project not only wins my "Editor's Choice Award", but is my pick for the Best Studio Worship Recording- ever! Ya, really.

Amazon Link: Freedom - Darrell Evans

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

Review by Kim Gentes

Free Song Download "Trading My Sorrows" from Darrell Evans album "Freedom"