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Music Reviews (by Kim Gentes)

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.

Entries in jeremy riddle (3)

Folks Like Us - Club Vineyard 73 (2011)

Snap, pop, crackle, flood. Not words that normally go together. But then, sometimes things don’t go as planned. Such was the case for this afternoon. I sat down. Threw in the latest Club CD of new songs releasing from the Vineyard churches. Snap! I’ll dispense with the usual oblique comments meant to accommodate for the fact that the review may have different tastes than the reader/listener, or in fact be wrong.  I’ll go on record- this project snaps and crackles the moment you put it on.

Track one is Folks Like Us, an unashamed return to the countryfied rock sound. Since I had just listened to some old projects, I actually thought it hit almost dead on with the sound of the 1999 Vineyard project, The Burn Service. It’d be hard to sound more like Bruce Springsteen or John Mellencamp, unless you got them to sing lead. Great, Americana rock. Lyrics are well-matched with earthy nouns, that paradoxically soar in declaration of God’s greatness towards us, and our need for Him, as His children. Very well done.

Track two and three moves on to the pop in this project. Absolutely a perfect blend of adoration and glorification in the lyrical mixture of the song Furious. Production is clearly meant to match Jeremy Riddle’s pop-ready vocals with Furious (track 3) and The Lord Is My Shepherd (track 4) making the entire album soar with radio-ready listening.  These two tracks are spectacular, though track 4 remains arranged out of bounds for most congregations. The songs are truly excellent, though, so don’t miss these. Passionate, singable (in simple form) and engaging. Plus, there is some excellent scripture and theology writing here, especially in The Lord Is My Shepherd, which is a beautiful new rendition of Psalm 23.

The next two tracks, Form Us and Worthy, are songs co-written by Casey Corum and Anabeth Morgan. This is where the flood comes in. These are studio track recordings that are core renditions for easy learning and reproduction in local churches. While there is nothing fancy on the production of these songs, there is nothing lacking here either. Form Us is a pensive, prayerful, surrender song that beautifully calls on God while agreeing with His will, much in the same way that Jesus taught us to pray in Matthew 6 (Your will be done). Worthy is old fashion rock sounds on one of the core messages of the Book of Revelation- “Worthy are You, Lord”. In a building verse/bridge/chorus sequence this song builds into a powerful exaltation of the worthy Lord.

With track 6 comes my favorite new song of this new album- One Thing Remains. Written by songwriters at Bethel Church, this version is a live recording of the song from a recent Vineyard conference. The production is stripped back to a true live arrangement that works for the conference, local churches and the recording. Building on what is a great musical song, Casey Corum lifts the vocals and energy of the song to a powerful anthem. While this isn't my favorite arrangement of this song, it feels the most accessible for local church use.

After another song by Jeremy Riddle on track six (taken from the Bethel Music “Be Lifted High” album), the next four tracks are from a series of live recordings  from the Cultivation Generation conference/event. Pounding anthem, surrender songs that lift up God’s glory, I Am Yours and Your Mercy are clean, straightforward rock, with lots of energy and passion. Again, lyrics and melody are strong.

This is especially true of Your Mercy, which is a refreshed Vineyard song from 2005. If you haven’t reviewed this song before, don’t miss this fresh revision of it. Very good. In fact, what I love about this album is that many of the songs here are really given extended time to breath into full congregational worship expressions, rather than the standard 4 minute clippings we often hear from worship recordings. This is very refreshing and encouraging. The project then moves to another surrender song “Nothing Else”, calling on God to change and shape us. Again, the prayer and spoken elements of this song give an experience which the listener can enter into without being rushed off to the next 3.5 minute track. Thank you!

The album concludes with two songs from David Linhart, a very gifted musician and lyricist. While not a typical “worship” style you might expect, David’s songs are beautiful stories of love, hope and God’s character. I love this mix of grace in a recording collection like this. Linhart’s surprising two-step collage on Straight From the Source has a soothing effect that still has the truth ringing around in my head that “we have true hope straight from the source”. Linhart’s reggae background bubbles to the surface, helped by a story-talking blues style with the final cut God Don’t Never Change. Most folks won’t be playing these last two songs in church, but there is a quality of grace on the songs that encourages the soul. Thank you Vineyard!

There is a full 8 songs on this project that I personally would like to do. That is the most in a very long time from a single album. While the project is a true "collection" with some different sounds and styles tossed in, it feels like the most "alive" project from Vineyard in a while.  Yes the music is good, but more than that, it evokes one to worship in a way that is appropriate for a "worship" album. Go figure. The leaders of each song sound like they are within their element, comfortable, yet daring to pursue God in a way which is not apologetic. I appreciate that.


The entire album, songs, audio and chord charts are already available for subscribers of the WorshipTeam.com worship planning system.

Review by Kim Gentes


 

The Lord Is My Shepherd / Jeremy Riddle - single /Review by Kim Gentes (2011)

As I have mentioned before, when we do reviews it is normally only for full album projects, not singles. But we must make exception where it is due. And with this new song by Jeremy Riddle, trust me friends- it is due. 

The song "The Lord Is My Shepherd" is a new single just releasing from Vineyard Music. I discovered this new song at WorshipTeam.com (which adds all the new music from Vineyard and most other worship publishers as they release).  If you aren't a WorshipTeam.com member, you can find the song on Vineyard's site at Vineyard Resources.  Let's talk about this new song.

The song is obviously a lyrical reference to Psalm 23, and the chorus relies on this image of God providing for us and bringing us to safe waters to satisfy our souls.  The chorus, using this sharpened theme from David's psalm, is melodic, infectious and even rhythmic. Lyrical purists will note the 3rd to 1st person voice change that happens throughout the chorus, though it remains thoroughly first person for the rest of the the song. This is normally a faux pas for songwriting, but it works in a unique way here to reference the classic rendering of the scripture ("The Lord is my Shepherd") giving it an anchor to our tradition, and as an implied voice to call others to notice the provision of God. 

The Lord is my Shepherd and I'll want for nothing
You lead me to water for You know I'm thirsting
And I I'm only satisfied
By You by You

Riddle's songwriting here is marvelously in stride with the tension of reality- that we live in the knowledge of God's provision and the need for it to satisfy the very human thirst of our souls.

The music and the lyrics are punctual and poignant, capturing the essence of what it means to both need God in the "pain in my life" and to declared to Him that "You are there". But ultimately, the song returns to rest in God not only providing the provision, but being the provision, as Riddle sings "You are the water for my soul".

I will say it clearly- this is Jeremy Riddle's best song. It is blissful, articulate writing, and wonderful soaring music. Not contrived, the song lives in itself and doesn't try to solve anything beyond the scope of its theme. Perfect.

Likewise, the arrangement and execution by Jeremy is dead on.  The music doesn't climb off of the song and overcome it.  Some of the previous tracks on Riddle's other albums became so enamored with Jeremy's souring vocals they would run roughshod over songs which had no right being "wall of sound" anthems.  That does not happen here. His voice is first and it stays out front.  He climbs to some extremely high notes and sings like he means it.  This is Vineyard's best radio ready single- ever. If this doesn't climb past the radio popularity of Sweetly Broken, I will be surprised.

That said, I have one problem with the song- it is a great radio single.  The notes of his excalamatory aria, especially on the second and third choruses, are brilliant but absolutely remove the song (in this form) from possible congregational use. This single is in the right key for congregational singing (G), but when Riddle explodes into his falsceto, he leaves all hope for this arrangement being used in local churches.  Vineyard will need to produce a crisp arrangement for local churches to use this song, perhaps removing the extensive "by You, by You" throw offs that make this a great listening radio single.

Worship leaders, worshipers and musicians- check out this new song.  It is excellent!

 

Available at WorshipTeam.com (for subscribers).

Also available for purchase at Vineyard Resources 

 

The Lord is my shepherd! Yes, Lord!

In Him,
Kim Gentes

Playlist: Stand In Awe - Jeremy Riddle, Sheri Carr, Jan L'Ecuyer, Steve Jones, Charlie Hines (2007)

Does anyone remember what a worship CD is? The last several years, it seemed like the "Christian Music" industry had missed the point. Endless collections, remixed cover songs and CCM bands trying to detour into worship leading (but quickly moving back to performance model when the "worship thing" dried up) showed a clear misunderstanding of the foundations of what worship and praise was all about.

If you have felt (like me) disappointed by several popular CDs in the last few years, welcome you back to what a worship project should be- "Playlist: Stand In Awe" from Vineyard Music. One of the original vanguards of resourcing the church in worship, Vineyard has stayed true to its roots with great songs, while making continued strides in progressive musical production and sound with its arrangements and musicianship. The essence of a great worship song is its ability to resonate with the heart-cry of the worshiper. The "Stand In Awe" project is a wonderful set of worship songs that resonate clearly with followers of Christ.

From the opening song, Vineyard brings some of its best young voices singing its best new songs, presented with its best studio production values. Normally known for its great live recordings, Vineyard Music has its second studio production (following up from last year's "Sweetly Broken") that marks a new era of excellence for them under producer Casey Corum. Add to Casey's great production some outsanding vocals by Jeremy Riddle, Steve Jones and Charlie Hines and stellar guitar work by veteran Glenn Pearce, the mix on this CD glistens under any audiophile's microscope.

But it all begins with great songs, and this CD is chock full of them! From the infectious layered sounds of "Saving Grace" (with a live orchestra backing! Wow!) to the anthemic offerings "Stand In Awe" and "God of All Glory", to the prayer praises of "As It Is In Heaven" and "Throne of Grace", to the poured out devotional of "With All My Heart", this project has a lot to contribute your local church. Track four, "Christ is Exalted", even includes a beautiful song of Christ's life, appropriate for Christmas worship, or any time of year. No doubt contend that the title track "Stand In Awe" and "God Of All Glory" (both sung by Jeremy Riddle) will garner considerable attention from both churches and radio play alike.

But for this reviewer, all the songs mentioned thus far are supporting cast for one of the best songs presented to the church in the last ten years- "All I Have". This amazing song provides a simple, but infectiously untiring sound track for unashamed worshipers the world ‘round. To date, I have listened to this CD about 35-40 times. And yet, as I drove to work this morning, I still wept as I worshipped along with "All I Have" with the chorus echoing some of these lyrics:

"Jesus, all I have is You,
You're the hope I'm holding to...
As the heavens hold the skies,
It's Your hand that holds my life"

After receiving an advanced copy of this project just weeks ago, our church already has three of these songs in its repertoire ("Throne of Grace", "Stand In Awe" and "All I Have")! But of those songs, none has gripped people more profoundly than my new favorite song "All I Have". I am sure we will see this song redone by other CCM and worship artists, but here is your first chance to hear it and use it in your local church. A truly great offering!

In an era when music purchasers scarcely think it wise to buy an entire CD, Vineyard's new "Playlist: Stand In Awe" project is well worth it. A wise investment, providing both an amazing suite of songs and PDF chord and lyric charts to help local churches put the songs to immediate use.

Product Link Playlist: Stand in Awe / Vineyard Music

Review by Kim Anthony Gentes