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.
Thursday, September 3, 2009 at 10:20PM 
Several months ago I found myself on a driving trip from New Orleans to Mobile, AL then to Nashville. Over eleven hours total in driving prompted me to bring two new worship CDs to review. The first one I put in was Andy Park's "Wonder Working God". I never took it out. Like my trip, the project is a journey of its own going from song to song, sound to sound, culture to culture. Collectively, this project moves through a wide range of rock, acoustic rock, blues-rock, gospel-piqued and even Asian influenced styles.
Right off the top, the track "Our God Reigns" wakes you up with a 60/70s rock story complete with pounding drums, punching bass and big band accents (or ska, depending on your generational persuasion). A great declaration song about the truths of God's character, "Our God Reigns" will become a favorite in any church it is played in.
Many of us know Andy Park as the songwriter of "In The Secret (I Want To Know You)", one of the most popular songs in the church in the last 15 years. But that may soon become the second most popular song in Andy's songwriting repertoire after the church hears the title track on this album. "Wonder Working God" is a brilliant song with scriptural lyrics, compelling music and soaring melodies. In our time of uncertainty in so many areas, "Wonder Working God" is a lifeline of scriptural truth that congregations everywhere will be using to help remind them of the hope God has placed in our lives through His promises. This is a song that will find its way to other artists and be covered on other albums. It's that good.
The great songs don't stop. Other new songs "New Day", "Help Somebody", "Friend of the Poor", "Fleece of White" and "Your Grace is Sufficient" provide an expansive pallet for anyone looking for superbly crafted songwriting with solidly scriptural content. In addition to that, classics such as "How Priceless" (one of my favorite songs ever), "Messiah", "One Thing I Ask" and "Like A Lily" round out the album with crisp arrangements that provide for generous use in the local church.
The production on this album is diverse in style, but constantly understated in execution, which makes it a listening delight. Choosing well between guitar or piano based song arrangements, producer Brian Theissen makes this album about the songs, not about an infinite number of layers of production that take the songs beyond their intended use- the local church.
I wish I could say I remember what the other album was that I intended on listening to for the balance of the eleven hours in the vehicle, but "Wonder Working God" made the entire trip with me through Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Tennessee. And it was a delight! A great album and a gift to the church, it's easy for me to recommend "Wonder Working God" to you as our latest "Editors Choice" selection from WorshipMusic.com.
Product Link (buy it here): Wonder Working God
Serving with you, Kim Gentes
andy park, cd, kim gentes, music, vineyard, wonder working god, worship, worshipmusic.com in CD Review Tuesday, October 28, 2008 at 12:44AM Album of the Year 2008
Stand In Awe
Producer: Casey Corum & Bob Hartry
Vineyard Music USA
Resource of the Year 2008
Live Audio Basics
Ron Davis
Down 2 Earth Audio Resources
We are pleased to announce the above winners of our annual WorshipMusic.com Editor's Choice Awards. This Special Edition newsletter highlights each product and its significant contribution to the Body of Christ in equipping us and in pursuing the vision of "increasing worship in the earth".
We highly encourage you to to look at these "cream of the crop" resources below - we think they are the best available to the Body of Christ.
Blessings
Kim Gentes & Staff
WorshipMusic.com
Stand In Awe
Producer: Casey Corum & Bob Hartry
Vineyard Music USA
We are proud to announce that "Stand In Awe" has earned the 2008 Editor's Choice Album of the Year. Recently Kim wrote a glowing review of this amazing CD. Here is some of what he had to say about it:
"..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....."
Live Audio Basics
Ron Davis
Down 2 Earth Productions
This great resource is packed with information and learning tools for live audio instructions. Hundreds of people and church have benefited from this timely resource. Here is some of what reviewer Jeremy Dunn had to say about it:.
"..At the heart of the "Live Audio Basics" 3-disc set is the DVD video hosted by producer and engineer Ron Davis. The DVD is packed with real world information about how to run a sound system and run it well. Not only is it informative, it's really entertaining with graphics, video clips and funny skits to help you remember the information. So if you think that learning about sound is all dry definitions and math, think again. But that's just scratching the surface of this DVD. It tackles subjects like signal path, monitors, EQ, and getting the perfect levels. It also has one of the best explanations of the mechanics of microphones that I have ever heard (this is the information that will take care of that pesky feedback). As if all that wasn't enough, Ron goes on the give insight into how sound technicians and musicians can understand each other and lots of other practical advice for becoming the best sound technicians you can be. It would be very hard to overstate the amount of detailed information that this DVD delivers. The title may include the word "basic" but believe me, you will thoroughly know the basics when you are finished.."
