Kim Gentes

[Free Song Download "My Soul Longs" from Jeremiah Carlson- see at the bottom of the review.]

My Foundation is the latest release from Vineyard Worship. The project is a live recording from its recent Cultivation Generation young adult conference held in Boise, ID.  The house band for the event has been The Neverclaim, a youth rock worship group led by Jeremiah Carlson, who forms the foundation of the sound and track contributions on this album. And that is a good thing.

Carlson takes the vocals on both the lead track and three others, giving a musical style and thematic bent that is reminiscent of Jesus Culture and Forerunner/IHOP (Kansas City) music. Stylistically, electric guitar driven rock ballads set the stage for a mixture of eschatologically centered lyrics ("my soul longs for the coming of the Risen Lord") and triumphalist refrains ("with a shout sin is finished, death and sin have been defeated. Now we stand victorious"). Tracks with the Neverclaim nod to similarities not only to the aforementioned, Jesus Culture, but hints of Hillsong United, and Planetshakers breakthrough with a touch of Mumford & Sons thrown in to stir up the mix.

The remainder of the tracks are led by worship leaders Stephen Lampert, David Linhart, Jesse Meyer and Anabeth Morgan.

The album starts powerfully with Carlson calling out "My Soul Longs", and the song rings out like an invitation for every heart to set it's desire on "the coming of the risen Lord". The second track, pounds out the declaration "How great" and "Love has come, love has won" as Lampert leads the song with low verses and a charging chorus (track 7 does something similar stylistically as Jesse Meyer leads). "God Don't Never Change", the third track, is a decided change of gears with blues/rock/island fusion that vamps into about four more gears of urban gospel/rock styling and vocals, always keeping a connection with the worshiping congregation singing right along with them.

The title track "My Foundation" is goes to yet another pace, but is a welcome respite to tranquil and worshipful waters, led by Anabeth Morgan whose vocals and meandering style remind us of the approach of Kim Walker (Jesus Culture) which can start with pensive humming that eventually vamps to pounding anthems with 2 bar notes. Track five is a return to Vineyard Music stamped "Roots Music" feel with its Americana/west coast country sound. The tracks continue on with great diversity and worshipful approach.

To wrap this review, I will call out two of my favorite songs from this project. The last track is a modern revision of Kevin Prosch's now classic "They That Wait On The Lord". Appropriately led by the vocal soring of Carlson and the Neverclaim, energy and congregational joy bubble up through the ebb and flow of the nearly 7 minute track. Very cool and a great revisit to a song that deserves a fresh look for this generation.

My absolute favorite song on this project lands on track eight, where Morgan's beautiful, yet powerful, voice guides us in language from the book of Revelation. This is the most pensive song on the twelve track contribution, but it is so grooved, so inviting, so heartfelt, you will fall into worship of the worthy Lord as you are led from section to section! And even in this song, a deep groove develops in the chorus and you will find yourself with hands lifted high singing "Worthy are You Lord to receive all the honor and glory!"

I really enjoyed this album from Vineyard Worship. While it's origins are youthful, the songs are largely congregational for any modern worship centered church. There is much to investigate on this project, but be sure not to miss tracks 1, 2, 8 and 12 which, in my opinion, are ready candidates for fresh winds of worship for your local church.

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

worshiping Him!

Kim Gentes

Free Song Download "My Soul Longs" from Jeremiah Carlson

Rita Springer is a name that has been synonymous with passionate worship. Like many of you, I've been enjoyed her songs, been inspired by her powerful vocals and encouraged by her living example as a leader and mentor to a generation of worship leaders. I first met Rita in 2001, and did a video interview with her on a tour she was doing with Worship Together newcomers (then) Tim Hughes and Chris Tomlin. Rita was then, and continues to be, a trailblazer who never settles for the "status quo". She was never content to live on your latest success or create a song to fit with the "formula" that might be popular.

Rita's latest album, called "The Playlist (Deluxe)", is a progression in that journey, taking Rita's music from its powerful and inspirational roots to a place of beautiful artistry and pop accessibility. This marks the first album for Rita with her new major label partner, Integrity Music. Instead of pressing Rita into a plastic mold of pop-Christian music, this new release has Rita playing some of her most innovative music to date (such as tracks In This Forever, Over I Go, and Made For This), while on the same album including some of her most worshipful, hook-laden grooves (such as tracks I Call You, You Are My Hallelujah, Come In, All I Need, You Are Good, Oh How You Love Me, Make You Happy, and gospel drenched This Blood).

"The Playlist (Deluxe)" is a triumph of the best passionate worship, glorious vocals, great lyric writing, and artistic production that we've ever heard from Rita Springer. I couldn't get through this album without lifting my arms, raising my voice and joining in worship. While this album is made with top level production, it remains 25 excellent tracks (11 studio and 14 live tracks) for consideration by local churches looking for great new songs. Rita is joined by a veritable "who's who" of producers who's collaborative efforts shine, rather than segment, this great album. Jason Halbert, David Ruis, Bobby Hartry, Jason Morant, Anthony Skinner, Daniel Bashta and Joel Khouri apply their considerable talents to this project, and each track brings out a slice of Rita's passion that fits the song. Additional to that, the "Deluxe" portion of this album is a live version of many songs, PLUS four of Rita's most amazing corporate worship favorites: Created to Worship, All I Need, You Are Good and Oh How You Love Me.

Listening through the album multiple times, I keep changing my favorite songs. Lyrically, I found myself resonating with the lead track Come In very deeply. Rhythmically, I loved In This Forever and its 6/8 feel. But four songs stand out profoundly for me. First, I Call You is an infectious song of praise with such devotional language I find myself reaching for my guitar and joining in every time the track starts. Second, This Blood is something of the feel of an old-time hymn, with gospel choir backdrops and the undeniable message of Christ's redemptive work made possible in the sacrifice of His Blood. Then, You Are Good is one of those songs that will ring around in your head and want you to put it on the set list for next Sunday every time you hear it- a great corporate worship song. But my absolute favorite song has to come down to Oh How You Love Me, which though it is one of Rita's classic worship songs is so powerful, so compelling and pulls such a deep musical groove that you can't do anything but absolutely love it and want to sing along to the Lord "Oh how You love me". 

If you have never heard Rita Springer before, this album should be your first stop into one of the most passionate, gifted songwriter/worship leaders in the last 20 years. It's that good. I have no hesitation with naming The Playlist Deluxe a 2012 Editor's Choice Award recipient. It is a great album, really. Check it out.

NOTE: Below is a free download from our friends at Integrity Music, with both the MP3 and chord chat from the song "This Blood" from Rita's new album. Enjoy!

Amazon Link: http://amzn.to/KX4Nsj

Review by Kim Gentes

Free Song Download "This Blood" from Rita Springer

After over 15 years of reviewing worship music I've realized that there are often two types of exceptional worship projects: a) an amazing production with radio-singable songs and great singles for iTunes; or b) a great worshipful album with congregational singable songs that are accessible for the church worldwide. Normally, those two categories are mutually exclusive and only a very few worship albums ever combined both elements. Finding both was rare and exceptional, such as Tomlin's breakout "Arriving", Third Day's first "Offerings" album, and some of the new tracks from the live Jesus Culture albums.

Then came, "The Same Love", the newest album from Paul Baloche.  Before I decided to review the album, I had heard (and purchased) the title cut, which was released a few weeks before the album finally released April 3. The title cut was such a captivating track, I was very interested in pursuing listening to the full album. But rather than sitting down and listening to the complete project 5-6 times to soak in the songs, I decided to review the project in a way I've never done before. 

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 all the songs with chord charts and audio. Then, I went through the album in real-time, with the charts in front of me, playing along. My first experience with the album was listening, playing along, learning, singing and worshiping my way through all 13 songs.  It was an absolutely wonderful experience!

More than anything else, I was taken by surprise at the combination of exceptional songwriting and prestine performance that was merged with accessible, great congregational worship songs. I am an average guitar player and with a reasonable tenor voice and range. I was able to sing, play and worship right along with literally every song on the album. I didn't have to change the key of any song on the album to sing along, and yet every song had great musical balance and tightness to its presentation.

But once I went through the album once, I couldn't stop. I kept playing and repeating through the album, playing along, worshiping and even picking out songs I will add to my repeteroire as a worship leader.  And this is the power of this album- you will find a lot here that is useful for your local church! Having gone through the album this way, I write this review with no reservations or apologies. Let me highlight for you the songs that rivetted my attention and might yours.

Of course, the title track "The Same Love" is the standout favorite.  This song is so singable, so well written, and so well produced that it belongs alongside the very best songs written in the last 10 years. Paul does what he has become so proficient at- creating an infectious melody around substantial, theologically rich lyrics whose purpose is connecting the power of "the same God that spread the heavens wide" with the humble humanity of each of us whom he has come to "set the captives free" and "opened eyes to see". What ties this song together is the parallel balances of "The same love" (God) offers his invitation by entreating us as His children by "calling us all by name". I could spend paragraphs trying to expound the theological richness of this truth, but Paul Baloche and co-writer Michael Rossback have done the artful work of teaching us one of the main meta-narratives of scripture in a single great song, summed up best by the last half of the brilliant chorus:

The same God that spread the heavens wide

The same God that was crucified

Is calling us all by name, You are calling us all by name

And this is precisely Paul's writing gift, as it has been for years- he marries God's immanence and transcendence in a harmony that only music and lyrics can provide.

This glorious effort continues with the second track titled "We Are Saved". Co-written with Hillsong's Ben Fielding and Jason Ingram, this song reminds you quickly of a Hillsong United anthem, with deep pocketed chorus and a resounding bridge to vamp the song into another level. Another great track.

"King of Heaven" is a prayer call in the "maranatha" tradition (in the sense of actual biblical usage of the Aramaic word, not any reference to the music company)- the song lyrics are a call for Jesus to come down both now and future as in "King of heaven come down". The arrangement is a bit of straight rock mixed with meandering banjo overlays, all treated to the sweet-dry harmonies of 'All Sons and Daughters' duo Leslie Jordan and David Leonard. Think worship rock meets 'O Brother Where Art Thou'. Blissful!

Robert Lowry's "Nothing But the Blood" is the foundation of track four's "All Because of the Cross", which adds a nod to "Oh the Blood of Jesus" in the arrangement as well. Track five follows theme and empties out the sonic pallet with piano and cello guiding the song gently to its pensive place as a song perfect for communion called "Your Blood Ran Down".

Next, Paul (along with Ed Kerr) mines another classic hymn with "My Hope", drawing from Edward Mote's "My Hope Is Built (The Solid Rock)" in various stanzas.  Like its hymn source, this song is a resounding declaration that each worshiper can connect and relate with. That no matter the circumstances of life that "You are my Rock" and "I'm holding on". On a personal note, this song was very encouraging to me. The last few years I have seen a number of friends and family lose loved ones to illness and age. This song is a solace into God's reality of hope that lies beyond what we experience so painfully in those difficulties.

Track eight brings us to "Oh Our Lord", yet another co-write- this time with the aforementioned Leslie Jordan and David Leonard. Hints of the slide guitar and the haunting melodies of the co-writers imbue the song with a blue-grass/folk base that lifts the verses into glorious tension with the bittersweet chorus and triumphal bridge. Wow! I love this song.

And so it goes for the entire album- this album is full of resonate melodies, blissful harmonies and thoughtful lyrical text. 

But beyond all this great music, great lyrics and great production, remember how I said I reviewed this album- I literally sat down with a guitar and played along with all the songs, in my first hearing of the entire album!  This means the songs were as beautiful as they were accessible! I challenge you to do the same- grab your guitar, sit down and see if you can't find 3 or 4 songs that become part of your worship leading repertoire.

I think you will find what I found- this is album is worth spending the hour it takes to play along and learn from one of the best songwriter/worship leaders of our generation. For this reason, I unequivocally can say that "The Same Love" is an easy album to grant my "Editor's Choice Award" to. I can't see how it wouldn't make consideration for the top worship album of the year. It's that good. Great work Paul- and friends!

For churches using WorshipTeam.com, all 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. Integrity Music has also granted us permission to give you the chord chart for the title song as a download directly here, so you will find it below.

Amazon Link: http://amzn.to/HS0E9P

Review by Kim Gentes

Free Chord Chart Download "The Same Love" from Paul Baloche

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 

In the last month, I have been listening to the newest album from Gateway Worship called "Great Great God". Listening, yes- and loving it! In it's short history, Gateway church in Southlake, Texas has been the seedbed to some great new songs, leaders and songwriters. With worship leaders/songwriters like Thomas Miller, Walker Beach, and Kari Jobe (among others), both the recordings and the songs coming out of Gateway have been top notch music and vibrant songwriting. This latest album, Great Great God, is no exception to that trend.

The album kicks off with the rhythmic and anthemic "Every Day I Live", led by Thomas Miller. Declaring that: 

Every moment, for Your glory, every breath I give You praise

All my days I'm living in Your grace

Every heartbeat wants to know You, now I live to make You known

I wanna show the world You are the God who saved my soul

Miller leads this live album off with a congregational energy and joy that enthusiastic, but stays authentic and in the tradition of declarative praise of commitment to the Lord. Great stuff!

The second track is "Sun & Sheild" and brings the congregation to a further exalting of God's attributes as our "sun and shield", allowing us to put our trust in the God who is our strength in times of need. I like the lyrics and focus of this song, which pinpoints our weakness as the moment and place in which we need to turn our hopes and trust over to God. Very well crafted.

The third song is a brilliant rendition of the classic "Holy Holy Holy" (Dykes and Heber), but with a wonderful refrain which is perfectly written to compliment this timeless song of theological depth. The added section (written by Walker Beach) pays a resounding tribute to the content already present in the song- speaking of God's Lordship, kingship and eternal nature.  After hearing dozens of remakes of various hymns by Tomlin and others, this remake of this georgeous hymn actually surprised me! In my opinion, this is literally the best "modern worship" revision of any classic hymn in the last 15 years. It is easily my favorite song on the album. 

Kari Jobe takes the lead vocals on the next track, drawing the pensive and beautiful tones of her voice into a peaceful ballad that flows with just piano and gentle strings as compliment. No drums, no guitars- just a simple and inviting call of devotion that leaves every worshiper calling out to God- "You're my everything". 

The album continues with three more tracks that reverberate with strong declarations of God's goodness and greatness. The final song highlights this as the title track "Great Great God", declaring "there is no one like our God".

Gateway Worship's "Great Great God" is lives up to its namesake title of being another great contribution of songs from the writers and leaders at Gateway. Though this is more an EP length contribution that past albums (7 original songs), it is well worth your attention, especially if you are a worship leader looking for great songs for Sunday morning.  I can't reiterate it enough- the third track on this project is really the best hymn remake in the last 15 years. Take a look at this project, if even just for that song, and it will be well worth your time.

For churches using WorshipTeam.com, all the songs, chord charts and audio are already available and pre-loaded for you in the WorshipTeam.com system song database.

If you want to listen to audio samples or purchase the album directly yourself, see the Amazon link below. A great new album!

Amazon Link: http://amzn.to/yS3HCa

Review by Kim Gentes