Kim Gentes

The chapters of Nehemiah have long been a prophetic spark to call forth life in the church. The painful beginnings in the rubble of defeat and shame. The ongoing antagonism and attacks of Sanballat and other nay-sayers. Even the internal struggles of uniting the families and people into the one task of rebuilding the wall of hope. Nehemiah is not a story for the great victorious church, where Christians triumph idyllically in every circumstance. Rather, it is a call to the broken and tired church, where followers of Christ long to be reminded, and encouraged, to once again stand up, and say with that ageless prayer-confession of Joshua, "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord" (Joshua 24:15).

With these two thoughts, Brian Doerksen begins an interwoven message of music and ministry through his newest offering, entitled "Today". As I soon found out, merely picking up this CD and listening to it, was a bit of a limiting perspective in engaging with all that this project encompassed. For days, I listened to and enjoyed the CD, but the richness of the "Today" experience wasn't clear until I began to read the book-length liner notes (seriously) and finally to pour over the "Today" DVD (available separately from the CD).

"Today" is a worship project that really needs to be experienced to be appreciated (IE. get the DVD!). And there is much to appreciate here. Musically, the track list is comprised of eight new songs (except for one, all written or co-written by Doerksen), five redone songs mostly from Doerksen's Vineyard repertoire, and two re-visited classic hymns. Stylistically, this is Doerksen's most diverse palette of tastes presented on a single album yet. While maintaining his signature vocals and soft pop acoustic/electric sound, Brian draws in sounds and sights of the past with moving renditions of hymns of the church, and incorporating music styling from classical and traditional influences. Blending pop vocals and instrumentation, adult & children's choirs, a wonderful orchestral group and even a jazz ensemble, Doerksen, and co-producer Philip Janz, create an album that bridges ages and builds a wall of God's faithfulness through music and multimedia.

The live evening of worship (as recorded on the DVD) begins with the reading of Nehemiah and a short message by Doerksen. The music recorded on the CD provides the content structure of the worship flow that goes from declaration and celebration to deep devotion and contrition to heartening prayer and exultant praise. The first song and title track bursts out with the anthem "Today", singing a modern revision of the declaration of Joshua. This song is typical Doerksen- refreshing lyrics, hook-laden melody, and easily played music. But right from this first track, there is a distinctive clarity on this project that defines a previously indefinable Brian Doerksen. From the understatement of pop influence on this album, to the inter-generational song selection, to the orchestral arrangements, to the blends of vocal leads, choirs, and children- Doerksen looks more at home on this album than any to date. The song "Today" will be a great new 'call to worship' song for the church.

The second track is the song "Everlasting", which is a building declaration song that is vibrant and memorable, and ripe for use in churches. And like much of the new songs on this album, it is a well-crafted collaborative songwriting effort. This CD is a wonderfully arranged worship set, songs selected purposefully to tell a story in a rich sequence of ebb and flow. Track three is a deep prayer/declaration (in the tradition of Psalm 42) called "You Are Everything". This song leads perfectly into the lilting melody of "The River", a country-styled song highlighting the beautiful voice of Brenda Janz. Don't miss this song, or you will miss one of the most easily adapted contributions on this new album. For brevity, I will not explain each song on this album, but please give yourself the benefit of listening to them. You won't be disappointed. From a song about our place with God ("My Redeemer"), to the call to war in "Fortress 144", to the timeless repentance anthem of "Refiner's Fire", this is a storehouse of great songs for the church.

My favorite track on this project is titled "Hear From Heaven", a soul-piercing prayer borne from text of 2 Chronicles 7:14. This prayer/song calls to God to forgive our wickedness and heal our land. I have been saying regularly in this review that you must experience this project to fully appreciate it, and this is most poignantly expressed in the video (from the DVD) of this song. I was moved to tears as I watched every person in the auditorium of the event expression hand actions while singing this song. The song rests in tender prayer transitioning from our cry for God's healing into the wonderful declaration of His work on the cross, through the song "I See The Cross". The album concludes with an equally powerful reprise of "Today", in which any father or parent will be brought to tears as you see generations of Christ's servants declare in song to Him, "today we choose to follow You"!

There is no doubt about it, the new album "Today" with Brian Doerksen will bring you a collection of songs ready for use in a broad spectrum of church applications from styling as diverse as guitar-driven bands to blended worship to choirs and orchestra-backed ensembles. But this project is much more of an experience of sounds and sight than just a few new songs. It is a celebration of what the church is called to, and what it can be- a church of unity, of power, of history and of "today".

Product Link Today

Review by Kim Anthony Gentes

Live worship albums have been a strange mixture of odd results over the years.  From ultra-produced albums that have little semblance to the actual original recording from which they are founded to the "push play" recordings of raw worship with poor production, one always has to take the "live" moniker in an album title with a grain of musical salt.  And this isn't just a recent thing- it is something that has been the way people have viewed "live worship" albums for now well over 15 years.  But few people would disagree that the monumental contribution of Kevin Prosch's "Even So Come" album gave us the landmark for all attempts at live albums that would follow in the 13 or so years since its original release by Vineyard Music (back in 1991).  We are elated to announce that Even So Come has now just be re-released and is available!

What is even more astounding about it is that while many have come after, attempting to mimic or even be inspired on to a better results- none, absolutely none, have surpassed Even So Come.  On the musical side, this album has a supreme combination of more vibe, great musicianship, and wonderfully balanced production than any live album ever recorded in the worship genre, and most Christian music for that matter.  Even if you aren't stylistically inclined towards Kevin Prosch's musical tastes, you simply can't ignore the great listening and engaging experience of this album.  On the "worship" side of things, this album epitomizes the spiritual journey of the "dream" spontaneous worship set- a time when the obvious anointing of the Holy Spirit was so present that it was captured on the recording of this evening of worship.

This album starts off right, as a live offering-- inviting the listener to humble their hearts by joining in with the opening prayer led by Kevin Prosch. Walking through the songs on this album is a list of classics that now stand as some of the most unique and powerful lyrical and musical pieces played in churches in the last 20 years.  The scripture-inspired prayer of "Show Your Power" catapults you into the experience from the first downbeat, as it has for thousands of churches around the globe. The great song, "Shout to the Lord" is a refreshing upbeat declaration of prayer and obedience to the direction of scripture to sing and even shout to the Lord. The next song is the title track- an ethereal, prayer song called "So Come" which invites Jesus to return to His bride the church in the manner of Revelations ("come Lord Jesus").  My favorite on the album, this song is as soothing to the soul as it is haunting to our sensibilities.    This is one of the few songs I have ever used in a church service, that also has the strength and depth of content to be equally comforting at a funeral of a loved one (I have used it in both).  The album truly moves on with the recording track of a spontaneous song, they titled "Great is the Lord", which highlights the amazing gifting of not only the musicians, but Prosch as truly an inspiring musical and lyrical gift to the whole church.  This is followed by three more Prosch classics (His Banner Over Me, Thanks Lord, Save Us Oh God) which have also found their place across the worldwide church.  Then comes another amazing spontaneous song, and finally the project concludes the way it began- with ministry and prayer.

What is even more amazing than the songs and this tremendous CD is the far-reaching effect of Kevin's ministry as an igniting force in the lives of innumerable worship leaders, from the local unknown worship leaders to now well-known ones such as Matt Redman, Darrell Evans and many more.

The re-release of this great album is welcomed back to where it belongs- a true gift to the world wide church!  Absolutely no one should miss having this CD in their collection, whether the worshipping Christian, or the aspiring worship leader.  It is such an important album on every level, we have to give it our Editor's Choice Award.  The number one live worship album ever!

Product Link Even So Come : A Live Night of Worship at the Anaheim Vineyard

Review by Kim Gentes

"You can have Your way
You can have Your way
You can have Your way... "

...this is the naturally supernatural chant that serves as the introit to bring in the lyrical and musical masterpiece that is "Dwell", the new release from Vineyard Music USA. "Dwell" as a musical offering is nothing short of phenomenal, leaving me at a loss to find an album I've liked more in the last 5 years. We will come back to examining the song content, but before that, we have to talk seriously about resourcing the church in worship. In the last several years, I have listened to literally hundreds of praise and worship CDs. A couple of years ago I began to develop a secret "wish list" of what I would consider the "perfect" way to put together a worship project and present it for use to the body of Christ in a music release. Here is that list:

• great songs for the actual church to use
• real life worship recording using those songs
• complete song resources available (printed music , charts, lyric masters)
• examples showing how to play the songs, both in band and acoustic setting

This list came out of seeing so many projects out there, often lacking in some way from having gone "half-way" with any one of the important items mentioned. I am delighted to say that "Dwell" is the first album I have found that to tackle that complete list-and it achieves amazing results.

The intro song and title track, Dwell, is a lyrical epiphany of prayer and scripture woven onto a gorgeous tapestry of instrumentation and enthralling 6/8 rhythm. It reminds us, as all great songs do, that the most evocative renderings of the heart come in simple, succinct, well spoken truths. I can scarcely go a day when these words don't ring in my thoughts:

"Dwell in the midst of us
Come and dwell in this place
Dwell in the midst of us
Come and have Your way"

The remaining two sections of the song are even more poignant, but I will leave them for you to discover (to your delight). I could rant on about this song, but I am convinced that simply allowing you to listen to this song (which you can do online) will be plenty enough to convince you. Plus, the great songs on this album begin with Dwell, and run through nearly every selection included on this project. From Dwell to the amazing upbeat favorite More Than Ever, to the wonderful ballad So In Need, and on through, no "filler" songs made it on this album. To understand what has happened with Vineyard Music USA on this recording, I talked to producer Casey Corum and found that they took a full 2 and a half years collecting the best songs (out of many hundreds) and letting this album grow into the offering that it is today. In my opinion, this is the best collection of new Vineyard songs on a single album since the 1987 release of Glory. If the new direction of Vineyard Music USA is to wait and release an album every 2 years, with this kind of quality, I applaud them! It will take me over a year to introduce my congregation to all the great songs I want to use from off of this CD, anyways!

For just a brief moment, I have to mention the amazing musicianship on this CD. You can read the liner notes for yourself, but consider for a moment that this CD uses the best musicians connected with Vineyard Music from around the world. This serves up a truly great album in a way that it will be listened to again and again to anyone who lends an ear.

The coup de grace for the Dwell project doesn't actually come from the audio CD itself. Even though the CD includes chord charts, lyric masters on a CD-ROM format, the real resourcing is placed on to the 6 Gigabyte monstrosity of a DVD that they have called a "Dwell Toolbox". It might be more aptly titled, the "Dwell Toolshed" or the "Dwell Home-Improvement Super Store of Worship Resources", but I suppose that doesn't exactly roll off the tongue like "Dwell Toolbox". Let me explain! The DVD comes FREE with the album when you buy the CD, and this may come off as good and bad. Good, because you get resources that are the best I have seen for any worship project released ever. Bad, because I worry that most people will think that anything free must not be worth selling on its own. But that would absolutely not be the case with the Dwell Toolbox DVD. Here is what the toolbox contains:

• Concert Video- the DVD contains the complete, and entire video of the live recording of these amazing 15 songs (surprise, they even include an extra song on the DVD that isn't on the CD-don't forget to watch it on the DVD, it is well worth it!).
• Small Group Worship Sets- 5 different preprogrammed sets of 4 songs in each set. Prepared as a complete worship tool for small groups, and it includes on-screen lyrics!
• Musical Tutorials- indepth video walk-throughs of every song on the acoustic guitar, showing how to play each song, including special hooks and chords to help you learn the songs quickly. Also included are indepth instrument-specific tutorials for electric guitar, drums, percussion, and synth, including the details of how they achieved the sounds and hooks played on the album.
• Interviews- indepth video interviews with both the band and the songwriters showing the heart and people behind the music.

The truth is, Vineyard could have packaged this whole project into 3 separate products- audio CD, concert DVD and musicians toolbox DVD. But they chose to put it all together into one package and sell it as part of the regular CD offering. This is not only an amazing service to the body of Christ, but it is done with an amazing album.

I would have given the Dwell audio CD alone an Editor's Choice award, but with the inclusion of the incredible DVD toolbox, I am at a loss as to how to more greatly honor this project. The only thing not included in this massive data overload of CD/CD-ROM/DVD bliss is full piano/vocal/guitar scored sheet music, but alas they have taken care of that on a separate songbook (which even includes guitar tab!).

How else can I say it- regardless of who you are you should seriously consider the amazing Dwell album from Vineyard Music USA. If you are still a skeptic, listen to the audio of this album online and you will hear what I mean. Buy the project and watch the DVD, and you will see what I mean!

Product Link Dwell

Selah
Kim Anthony Gentes

Sometimes listening to CDs means we miss the whole point of a worship recording project.  The idea that we are supposed to just "listen" to a music experience was not part of the heart or intention of most pastors, worship leaders or ministers. In fact, most of them would say that if all you did was listen to some nice songs, that they aren't interested in writing songs, making music and producing CDs. 

Such is the case with Vertical Music newcomer, Dave Lubben. His freshman release is a completely live and personal journey into what is really worship.  This does not involve the temporal items such as instruments, music and CDs, but the eternal action of laying down one's life, as a surrendering act of obedience, into the powerful peace of God's will.  You could have learned this was on Dave Lubben's heart, and in God's heart for him (and us!), simply by reading the incredible story in the CD liner notes. I will leave you to do that, but even without the amazing story of life and death that surrounds the recording of this album, all one needs to do is simply participate in what is sung and spoken on this wonderful musical journal to catch the real "story".  Aptly named, A Place Called Surrender is about the real message of Jesus.  The message he gave to all who would come after him- that they should take up their cross and follow him.

Each song on this project weaves a tapestry of humility and praise that any follower of Christ can echo, in words and heart. From songs of building joy ("Lord Most High" and "King Of Nations") to plaintiff prayers like ("We Need You", "Save Us" and "Speak To Us") to songs of abandon and devotion ("Surrender" and "Lay It Down"), this engaging night of worship is not just a CD, but a beautiful collection of modern psalms.  Initially, I was captivated by the energy and intensity of the opening cut "Lord Most High" and the heartfelt prayers included in the recording.  As I continued on, I went from praise to prayer and finally to bowing on my bedroom floor in worship to Christ, tears running down my eyes as I found myself reflecting on the call of the lyrics on my favorite new song- track seven, "Speak To Me".  Repentance is the response of our lives coming in contact with the Holy One, and as I echoed the words on that song, I found myself weighing sadly short of the scriptural themes being sung to God. As the CD continued on, the next track, "Lay It Down" has Dave Lubben reading from the text in Psalm 116 (verses 2, 3, 5, 7).  As the lyrics of the song and the Scripture reading wash over you, the essence of this project will become pristinely clear- it is about expressing the true heart of worship (submission to God's will, brokenness, offering our lives to Christ, and repentance).

And while the experience is clearly out front on this new project from the re-launched Vertical Music (the youth label from Integrity Music), this CD is also purveyor of both excellent musical presentation and powerful songs for the church.  In fact, the more you listen to this CD, the more the great work done by producer Nathan Nockels (from OneDay/Passion CDs, Philips, Craig & Dean "Let Your Glory Fall", Watermark and others) begins to shine.  The presentation is aptly framed with accessible musical and vocal parts. Along with great song writing by Lubben, this album is absolutely full of usable, excellent songs for the church.  Nockel's arrangement skills not only make strong presentation of the material for church use, but also give a wonderful diversity to the flow of the album.  So the album is top notch stuff in the production department.  But as I said before, that is clearly not the focus here- worship is.

If you are a worship leader looking for a cache of excellent new songs, you must give this project a serious listen.   I will be listening to this CD for a long time... you simply will not get tired of it.  I believe that songs from tracks 1 through 4, and tracks 7 through 10 provide the best set of songs on a single album that I have heard in a very long time.  In fact, I have never recommended 8 songs from any single album ever!  If you are like me, you would be skeptical of anyone claiming there was eight (yes 8!) strong, usable songs on an original album.  So don't believe me, but make sure you check out the songs yourself by listening to the samples provided online.  And thankfully, Vertical Music backs up this excellent CD by providing us with an entire suite of resources to get these songs to use in church (songbook, stereo tracks, and CD-ROM digital songbook).

This CD is easy to select as an Editor's Choice Award winner for me, for all the reasons I have given in this review.  But again, don't take my word for it, check out the songs above for yourself. And remember, once you buy the CD for yourself, be sure to read the liner notes!

Product Link A Place Called Surrender - Dave Lubben

Review by Kim Gentes

Rising, lifting, resting, flourishing the ebb and flow of the sounds from the new Vineyard album from New Zealand, One Glimpse, has placed some excellent songs on a skillfully crafted sonic palette for all to listen to. When you think of new music for the church, most people think of live worship projects, anthemic choruses and congregational sounds echoing in the recording. Vineyard delivers a whole different offering to the Body of Christ with One Glimpse. While the songs remain very accessible, the recording quality, arrangement styling, and track selection bring one of the first mainstream worship labels to the table with radio playable (CHR or alternative) songs. The last 3-4 years has seen regular CCM labels bringing their pop-artists to bear on classic worship tunes, giving great visibility and access to many great songs of the church. But where the CCM industry has reached into the worship realm with their offerings, the worship music labels havent done as well in adding a polished production to their projects, allowing them to gain access to the larger CCM audience.

Vineyards One Glimpse is an amazing leap from the tired sound of 90s praise and worship albums to true alternative and pop rock sounds native to the music, not opted and arranged on top of yesterdays songs. Its not surprising, then, to find that the project has strong production and recording from producer Nic Manders (of NZ band, Solace), and even guest contributions from Mark Millard (from the NZ group, the Lads). But what muses and audiophiles will note on listening to this project is the almost complete absence of the acoustic guitar, the staple of every Vineyard Music recording since its short 20+ years as the recording arm of the Vineyard church movement. Except for track seven (I Will Sing) and parts of track 11 (Risen One), even the contemplative songs in this project are highlighted with keyboards or soft electric rhythm. What remains is the occasional acoustic strum as a rhythm highlight on some musical transitions throughout a couple other songs.

Musically, the feel of this album resembles much more the ethereal patch and play keyboards, brit/pop guitars and driving rock drums of Delirious?, hard rock/alternative shots (track 4, Surround Me) at Creed, CCM radio sounds similar to Audio Adrenaline (track 2, One Glimpse) with little samplings of American soft rock and power ballad thrown in. That might seem like a heady mixture, but somehow this sonic meal is textured true (and is not cliché-ridden) with the distinctive Kiwi flavor added in. Suffice to say that this is easily the best radio playable worship album I have ever heard from non-artist driven worship sources (Vineyard recordings, Maranatha, Integrity Hosanna, Hillsongs, et al.).

But for all the polish, does this album have something of value to the church in a congregational worship setting? Yes, and a resounding yes! With the first spin of the CD, (track one, Sacrifice) will let you hear the prime suspect for Sunday mornings in many churches. My favorite on the project, this song is very strong with a devotional declarative verse and a glorious chorus announcing the holiness of the Lord, saying:

Holy, holy, holy are You Lord
Im set apart for the One that I adore
Holy, holy, holy are You Lord
You paid the price that I could not afford

This song should make its way into many contemporary services with great lyrics and a moving musical and melodic chorus.

Delivering the tribute to Delirious? is track five, with To The King, which is almost shameless in stealing lines from I Could Sing of Your Love, but in the style of Lord You Have My Heart or Find Me In The River. This song is a great option for worship leaders looking for a pensive song that builds into another glorious chorus, this time with effectual Hallelujahs ringing the song through. The project completely mellows out with track 6, drawing you in with warm guitar swells and a solo voice of brokenness calling out for God to Sing Over Me. This is a beautiful contribution, ripe for Sunday mornings, especially times of prayer, intercession or ministry. Track seven I Will Sing starts the rebuilding of the tempo and volume that holds out through Song from the Heart and Close To You (whose chorus brought me back to the 80s with a Journey-esque stadium rendering). My Soul and Risen One wrap up the project nicely with beautiful contemplative songs, and again, amazing lyrics. I especially love the simplicity and focus of Risen One, which should not be overlooked by any worship leader.

Overall the project breathes nicely as a selection pallet for new material, with a good variety of songs. It shines as a listening contribution, not only in a personal time of praise (driving in the car), but as a serious offering for Christian radio. I was so excited about this CD, that I really want to recommend it to you worship leaders for consideration in your song hunting journeys. And while the CD itself contains a CD-ROM component with chord charts, overheads and some intro parts, the lack of available support resources (such as songbook, tracks, etc) will limit these strong songs from going to churches that cant play from chord charts or arrange from listening to a CD. Then again, churches that will use this material upfront will have younger musicians, who are very used to playing from chord charts in church situations.

I strongly encourage you to consider taking a look at One Glimpse for some great new songs and a fresh and exciting new sound from Vineyard Music. If you are a congregation with a large youth group or college/young adult service, they will definitely want to hear this CD. But dont say I didnt warn you, because you will be going to get the CD back from them for your regular service, once people start asking you hey, can we do that Sacrifice song they are doing in the youth service? So be nice to your youth leaders- get one for them and one for you. You wont regret it! The innovation of the sound, the level of musical presentation and the quality of the songs are strong enough to encourage us to give One Glimpse an Editor's Choice Award.

Product Link One Glimpse

Review by: Kim Gentes