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.
Saturday, March 31, 2012 at 2:27PM 
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
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"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
PDF, cornerstone, download, easter, free, hillsong, lead sheet, mp3, music, sheet music, song, worship in Easter, Free Download, Music Review, Musician Resource Review, Single Song Wednesday, November 23, 2011 at 10:12PM 
Christmas brings out nearly everyone in the music world. Renditions here and there, all styles and all kinds of remakes of classic songs.
What comes as a respite for me is the simplicity and beauty of music played in the excellence of a grand piano. Ed Kerr is the veteran musician, songwriter and composer that has been gracing the Christian and worship music world for over 20 years.
Recently, I have been listening to eight classic Christmas songs and enjoying the sounds of the piano as crafted by Ed Kerr. His new release, "Christmas In Ivory", takes the iconic songs of the season and places them to inventive but classicly framed arrangements.
Are you looking for a fresh new album of Christmas music that you can put on and enjoy for hours? "Christmas in Ivory" is my recommendation for you. But don't take my word for it- check out the free song below, which is one track from Ed's album.
Free Song Download from "Christmas In Ivory"
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Now that you have sampled part of this great album, I strongly encourage you to get the entire album. You can get a copy of the album yourself at :
Christmas In Ivory (CD) http://bit.ly/uMz8cl
Christmas In Ivory (MP3 Album) http://amzn.to/w0K2EC
For musicians or churches interested in incorporating some of these great song arrangements in their own contexts, there is also a full digital songbook available at the same page.
Review by Kim Gentes
Tuesday, November 22, 2011 at 11:05PM 
We are all too often carried away by the complexities of modern music production and arrangements, and drawn away from the simplicity of both a song lyric and melody. The purpose of a song is, after all, to draw lyric and music into a partnership and deliver a singular, powerful message. When a song does this, it becomes our song, our anthem, our community script for things we previously lacked the ability to say well together.
As Advent Season is upon us, I had the opportunity to hear a beautiful song that so perfectly punctuates the clarity of this season it instantly captured my heart in worship. Through the song I was drawn up in waiting, in desire and returned powerfully to the coming kingship of the Christ as the song became my declaration of preparation for Emmanuel. Because the song is so poignant and timely, I asked the writer, Darrell Harris, if I could share it with others. He graciously consented, and so I am delighted to present his song "As We Wait" below for you.
Simple, yearning, stark- its a delightful song in the hopeful pattern of the advent season. Feel free to use this resource. Below are three links: the mp3 audio demonstration, a basic PDF leadsheet, and the PDF SATB sheet music. If you choose to use this song, please respect the request of the authors and record any usage of this song in your regular CCLI reports.
Again, a heartfelt "Thank you" to Darrell Harris for sharing his fine song for the blessing of the broader church!
With you in Hope
Kim Gentes
PDF, advent, as we wait, christmas, darrell, harris, hope, lead sheet, mp3, neftzger, song, tyra in Advent, Music Review, Musician Resource Review, Single Song Saturday, July 9, 2011 at 11:28AM 
Well, I just got the new album, Weathered, from Sheri Carr. Wow! This is a brilliant new look at Sheri's music. With perfectly contained arrangements that highlight her stellar voice these are wonderful new songs. You haven't heard Sheri like this before. The EP has a pop / country / light rock feel that tells thoughtful stories of real life.
Staying away from cliché lyrics, she shines as an artist and songwriter in this new 5-song EP. Sheri packs so much life and hope into this album it will rip your heart out and hand it back to you with a warm smile. For the first time, Sheri uses her full range as a vocalist with soft, low tones that waft in a pensive melody to arias with her signature, full-strength, vocal surge. Songs Home, In a Blink, and One Song are where you hear this most, each having a beautiful expanse of dynamics that are bridged internally with effortless perfection.
Choosing a favorite song was initially a toss up between the melodic singability of the brilliant In a Blink and the perfect understated draw of One Song. But the more I listened the more I fell in love, ironically, with Find Love. This song is such a heart-true ballad that you can't listen to it without realizing the questions it poses and challenges it makes are the profound kind of writing and performance that make great music the language of all our hearts. Well done, Sheri.
Not a "corporate worship" album per say, this becomes Sheri's debut as a true "artist" beyond any of her work in the past. Radio perfect sensibility sings on every song. If you have a chance to get this album, get it. If you have a friend who is at a place of needing encouragement in life, you might not find a better gift. Seriously. Check it out! It will lift your heart and give you hope. I'll say it again- brilliant!
Product link: Weathered / Sheri Carr
Review by Kim Gentes
album, artist, cd, christian, music, project, sheri, sheri carr, sheri keller, song, weathered, worship in CD Review, Music Review Friday, January 21, 2011 at 1:32AM 
When we do reviews, it is normally on a full album project, or resource. Today, however, I wanted to share something that is just a single song resource. Normally a single isn't something I investigate simply because of the time and work it takes to do a review. This song, however, caught my attention instantly when I heard it, so I investigated further.
The song "Show Me The Way To Your Heart" is a new single just releasing from ION Records. You can find it on their front page at http://ionworship.org/ . The song is a captivating call both to us and God. To us because it invites us into the prayer with its writers to seek God's heart and call on him even as we make our journey towards him. A call to God in that the song itself is a prayer "show me the way to Your heart".
The song is presented crisp, and clear, with the vocals of veteran worship leader Brian Doerksen executing his trademark pensive call and response styling. The musical backdrop is provided by Doerksen's own band including the great rhythms of Calum Rees and Peter Davyduck (drums and fretless bass), with Brian Theissen on electric guitar adding melodic hook and with a meaty center of volume through the instrumental segment.
Songwriters Adam Villiers and Pete Beaumont give us lyrics that are as easy to sing as they are to listen to, and I found myself joining in almost instantly. In fact, the reason I am writing this review is because the song quickly became my prayer for the hours and days that followed the first listen. Wonderfully infectious, the melody and theme of this song deserves a listen from any church which is looking for exceptional songs of longing that are perfect as congregational prayer-songs. As a worship leader, I have already begun to learn the song and practice it for the next opportunity I have to introduce a new song.
I'd encourage you to listen to it as well and see if it doesn't open your heart and lift you along with its prayerful melodies and lyrics. The song is available from ION directly at http://ionworship.org/ . For the price of a single song, plus a free chord chart included, you can hardly go wrong. An excellent resource!
New Bonus Video - "Show Me The Way To Your Heart" - songwriter Adam Villiers and worship leader Brian Doerksen demonstrate the song and show how to play it.
Show us the way to Your heart. Yes, Lord!
In Him,
Kim Gentes