Kim Gentes

In the mid-90s a number of local musicians, songwriters and worship leaders in the UK began to flourish and influence not only their nation but the world in bringing new songs to the church. From that stream of praise and worship comes possibly the most influential songwriter over the last 20 years within the modern worship movement- Matt Redman. Redman's songs have been used across the globe, and in virtually every Christian denomination. They have been recorded by countless other leaders, artists and musicians. And while Redman shirks the notariety of his influence, there is scarecly a Christian musician or leader in North America that would not recognize his songs or his name.

Matt Redman was introduced to the North American church largely through the efforts of the music label WorshipTogether, a brand of EMI Christian Music in the United States. The WorshipTogether moniker was comprised largely of songs and recordings from UK leaders and songwriters that were connected with Kingsway Music.  As part of that effort, WorshipTogether introduced Delirious?, Matt Redman, Tim Hughes and others to a broad church and consumer music market from 1998 until the present. While some of Delirious? (Martin Smith) and Matt Redman's songs were making their way across the pond before the EMI marketing effort began, the impact and effectiveness of the WorshipTogether brand, recordings, marketing and website was nothing short of phenomenal.

To review either of Matt Redman's first two albums seems a bit misinformed, as both albums were released first in the UK and both contained slight modifications before being introduced to the US market. The first was a merger of UK releases (songs from UK releases "Passion For Your Name" and "The Friendship and the Fear" became  the US version of "The Friendship and the Fear"), the second was simply a name change (UK "Intimacy" was released as "The Heart of Worship" in the US). In any case, we review each album here.

Redman's first recording that released in the US was "The Friendship and the Fear" in 1998 (released through the EMI StarSong label).  This album was chock full of singable and upbeat songs that contained a rock driven sound with fresh rhythmic sensibilities such as Believer and Better Is One Day. But it was mixed in with intimate melodic classics that have become staples in churches worldwide- such as I Will Offer Up My Life and Once Again. Each of these songs resonated across the North American church, but probably none more so than the Better Is One Day track, which found wings on many other recordings including the phenomenal explosion of the Passion youth gatherings and their associated recordings, whose breakout album in 2000 not only included the song but was entited "Passion: Better Is One Day".

After establishing a strong presence in the church with "The Friendship and the Fear", WorshipTogether released another album by Redman a year later. In 1999, the WorshipTogether label released what would become, at the time, Matt Redman's signature album and song in "The Heart of Worship" (it would later be eclipsed only by his most popular song, Blessed Be The Name). Like Believer on "The Friendship and the Fear", this new album included another celebratory praise hit with Let Everything That Has Breath. But it was the title track that seemed to find its way into hearts across not only North America but the world. In what Redman would later explain as a response to God's corrective to him (as part of his serving in a local church worship leader context), the lyrics of the song The Heart of Worship focused on repentance and Godward devotion intended for worship rather than the music in which praise or worship may be delivered.

These two albums were not only the introduction of Matt Redman as a worship leader and songwriter, they were the seedbed of dozens of other recordings both in North America and abroad. The songs were just the first of dozens that Redman would continue to write, which eventually placed him as one of the most prominent church songwriters in the last 100 years.  And he continues to write the songs of our modern liturgy, even today.  These original albums are still available and are a great archive of wonderful songs usable for churches.

Product Links:

The Friendship And The Fear - Matt Redman (1998)

The Heart Of Worship  - Matt Redman (1999)

Review by Kim Gentes

While most of our reviews have centered around products that don't get a lot of attention (either through retail advertising or simply an indie), one of the things I have noticed in the last couple of years is the waning influence of Vineyard's Touching the Father's Heart series on the list of "new songs" being used by churches. Partly because of the insurgence of the UK worship songs, increase of similar music from other labels in the US, and growth of indies, the TFH series has been less than the "staple" of excellent song selection it has been in the period of 1994-1996. With a string of ho-hum projects like "Receive Your Praise", "I Love Loving You", "I Love Your Ways" and "I Just Want To Thank You", Vineyard Music has not helped themselves a lot. Additionally, much of Vineyard Music focus recently has been on a flurry of collections, remixed oldies, and "best of's", making the even the most ardent of Vineyard worship fan crinkle a brow.

But alas, things are looking up! One thing Vineyard has done since early days (under the direction of John Wimber) is to foster the constant birthing of new songs. That kind of real encouragement can't go too long before another crop of good fruit comes due. The most recent addition to the TFH series is just one such "pick" of recent fruit from Vineyard Music. Along with the new project "The Burn Service", this CD has indicated a strong crop of usable and fresh music from Vineyard.

So let's dive in to this CD, "It's All About Jesus"!

To kick it off, this CD begins with a karate chop to the chin of P&W project "formula" of starting with an upbeat song and fading to slow. Instead of hyping us up, pumping the emotions, and playing to our expectations, they start off with the song "Stand Back". This song moves from the contemplative position of encouraging us all to "stand back" and let God move. Writing the lyrics in synch with musical feel, Scott Underwood lets the song grow, building intensity. In an attitude of "standing back" and letting God move, the song ebbs you into the presence of God as you refocus why we worship. This song eases into your heart, and just as you get the point of it, you run into the title track, "It's All About Jesus".

Easy to sing and powerful in message, this song exemplifies the musical contribution that Vineyard has placed in modern praise & worship over the last several years- easy lyrics, simply played music, contagious melodies, and unashamed intimacy. While it isn't as reflective and haunting as the Matt Redman "Heart Of Worship", it doesn't have to be. Still, the messages are the same, and there is no doubt a number of people who will get the two songs confused just by title.

The trek continues through Simple Prayer, a vintage Terry Butler song rife with accidentals (those keyboard players :) and the lyrical message of God's holiness. Another nice touch on the first "set" of this project is the modern hymn "My Soul Finds Rest" by Mary McLean. Not a redone oldie, but a revisitation to themes of "On Christ the Solid Rock", complete with 3/4 time and beautifully spacious notes.

The second "set" is led by Danny Daniels. Track eight heralds a wonderful song "Faithful Love". A great songwriting contribution by Rita Springer and nice vocals by Paula Bowers make this a [repeat] track on most CD players. Danny Daniels chimes in with "River Of Delight", a soft congregational declaration of what we will do at the coming of Christ. Another song that builds with intensity, "River Of Delight" leads well into the 70s country/rock sounding "Lord I Lift Up My Voice". A signature of Danny Daniels songwriting and leading, this song reminisces of the straight forward praise of his classic "Glory". Thereafter comes a couple of songs from Mark McCoy, lifting the worship into much more upbeat praise. "Messiah" is an excellent moving rock ballad that calls out to Christ. "Messiah" hints at a blues feel, and that gets re-ignited in the next song. "Sow In Tears" has strong musical composition, though it misses singable and well-paced lyrics that typically accompany Vineyard songs. The trek of nostalgia doesn't end until the song "We Will Run", when Danny Daniels wraps up the set with another declarative song, but this one has a 60s feel. A nice praise song telling God how we will run to Him.

And just when you were sitting back and thinking you were finished, the great surprise of the album happens- "Wonderful"! Appropriately titled, this song is jumps and hops into praise for God. I was unsure as to the language of the lyrics in the intro line of the song, but Vineyard Music assures me it is that oft sought after language of aboriginal Australian. Apparently the word "Humbia" means "yahoo" (not to be confused with the website) or "yippee". I didn't need to call VMG to get the intention of the song, though. Contagious and upbeat, you will be bouncing throughout the day as this tune rings through your head. This would be a great song to alter, by fixing a "yippee" in your favorite local dialect over the current "humbia" ('course, you'll want to make sure that's covered on your CCLI license and such ;) .

Overall, I think this CD represents the meatiest offering from Vineyard in some time. Though not as creative a musical effort as "You Shelter Me", from the same TFH series, the songs are certainly more useable and likely to be used in the local church. You won't love all the songs on this album, but you will like 3 or 4. Your friend across town will like a different 3 or 4. Your friend across country will like another 3 or 4. You get the picture- a little something for everyone, without fluff anywhere.

Nicely done Vineyard Music! Welcome back.

The project also has an accompanying songbook and split tracks, for those worship leaders who intend to use the songs.

Product Link It's All About Jesus: Touching the Father's Heart

Review by Kim Gentes

For over 15 years, one of the most acclaimed worship recordings has been this now classic from Robin Mark. Revival In Belfast is a truly remarkable recording for several reasons, but the main one is this- authenticity. Guided by award winning producer Paul Mills, this recording delivers a brilliant collage of uilleann pipes, pennywhistles and the honest cries of North Ireland through the voice and music of Robin Mark. This recording hits the pinnacle of what every artists hopes to achieve- authenticity with artful skill. You believe every word, every instrument, every prayer in this experience embodied in this album for the simple reason that it is exactly what it appears to be - a true worship-filled exchange of a congregation praising their God.

Robin Mark has penned most of the songs on this landmark album, and they remain classics even today.  From Revival, to Jesus, All For Jesus and even the epiphinal Days of Elijah, each of these songs ring as true for us as they do for Robin Mark. Other classics Shout to The North (written by Martin Smith) and Be Unto Your Name (written by Lynn DeShazo and Gary Sadler) are incorporated in perfect style to fit the nuance of this cultural Irish worship collection.

While the writing and music are authentic, the narrative of this project is nonetheless directed and intentional. This is clear from the song order, pacing of each arrangement and its final track which is the climax to a perfect live experience. In my opinion, this album has one intention, one clear purpose- to point you to the heralding call of its final song.  As you weave through the experience of this Irish musical countryside, you end up at the masterpeice that is Days of Elijah. And without leaving the authentic narrative that has brought you to this point, Robin Mark and producer Paul Mills take this experience to a whole other level.  Flute, organ pads glide you gently into rising anthem. Mark's acoustic guitar strums softly, and the rhythm draws you into the song.  They lyrics open to a contrasting hope of Biblical characters Elijah, Moses and David with the worl'ds current state of brokenness, loss and desolation saying "and though these the days of great trial, of famine and darkness and sword".  

Mark uses a destinctly John the Baptist tone, declaring "Behold He comes riding on the clouds." The chorus is a blissful hope declaration ringing to the truth of the Christ's return as the hope for all Christians and indeed the world. The lyrics written on a page might appear like a bit of a collection of "Christian cliche" today, but they sound anything but that when you listen to this tremendous recording. The blissful conclusion to this recording is the final prayer that Robin Mark administers with graceful humility. Then, just as you think the recording has concluded, a final rousing chorus is rallied with such passion, such authenticity, such artful effusion one is often left in tears. I certainly am.

For over 10 years, people have seemed to agree with this kind of lauding of this project. Indeed for a full 10 years, this project stayed in the top 40 sales of all products on WorshipMusic.com, outselling more than any other project in the last 15 years- including top charting collections like WOW Worship, iWorship and all others. Something about Revival In Belfast struck the heart of worshipers around the globe for more than a full decade. Phenomenal!

If you haven't had a chance to enjoy this amazing experience, take this opportunity to enjoy something hundreds of thousands of Christians worldwide have experienced.  You won't be dissappointed.

Product Link:   Revival in Belfast

Worshiping with you,

Kim Gentes

This is a tremendous new indie CD that we are very excited about. This CD is a studio recording of a worship leader from the Valparaiso, Indiana Vineyard church. Frankly, this CD has the absolute best sound and production of any indie CD I have ever listened to. The musical presentation is arranged and mixed on par with ANY "big" company CD I have listened to, and eclipses most of those.

But the best part of the CD is the content of the songs. Musically enjoyable, and very accessable for churches, the list of songs is almost entirely authored by the worship leader, Sheri Keller. She has a gift for writing, and this project makes that point. The opening cut is just awesome (called "new song"). Only one song is not authored by Sheri, and that is the wonderful Doug Horley song "We Want To See Jesus Lifted High".

I have also heard 3 editions of that song on various projects. This CD is far-and-away the best, most inspirational rendition of that.

The clincher for this CD is the lead vocals, on which Sheri Keller unleashes some serious worship. My first question when I listened to this CD was "why isn't this person signing on with a CCM label?" Her voice and execution on the songs is easy that good. I guess that is what impressed me alot about the project- while the artistry level is way beyond what is usually heard in churches, the intensity of worship is at an equally high level.

Product Link http://www.worshipmusic.com/sk-btld.html

Review by Kim Gentes

There may be no other CD in the last 20 years that better epitomises the modern worship movement than the March 1999 release of Vineyard UK's "Hungry". Produced by songwriter/worship leader Brian Doerksen, this now classic project contains not only a brilliant cast of leaders, musicians and voices but hosts a track list of some of the most popular songs sung in the Christian church worldwide. From the title track Hungry to the pounding Your Name Is Holy, to the beautiful Humble King, to the yearning Be The Centre and finally to what is perhaps the most recorded worship song in the last 30 years, Breathe - each song has become a staple in the modern worship liturgy of the last 15 years.

The songwriting, the musical prowess, the live energy and just the right of production brought this album to platinum success, making it the best selling album ever for Vineyard Music. But what reverberated across the tracks of this amazing recording was not just the notes and rhythms of music. It was the sound of prayer-filled liturgy, embodied in an authentic music expression. Something of the desparate calls of God's people was accurate about these songs. They struck a chord (no pun intended) with millions of people- that we could call out in our hour of need, and that God himself was listening and would answer. We are hungry. He is the bread of life for a starving world.

This juxstaposition is woven in the fabric of these songs, and presented in a rhythmic flow that is easily missed.  Even the track list gives it away- our humanity laid out as we sing Hungry, then God's perfection declared in the triumph of Your Name is Holy.   The prayerful Humble King in which we yearn for God to "show me how much You love humility", then the proclamation of There's No One Like Our God. The request that God Make Your Home In Me with the answer in the foundational truth of the Child Of God. This is the ebb and flow of this album: humanity embodied in prayerful calls; scriptural truth responding with God's nearness and promises. In this manner, Hungry (the album) becomes a living, breathing conversation that we can all enjoin. With it's backdrop of occasional celtic flutes, violin hints and ethereal treatments, the album brings the listener from "any generic album" to a sound that respects its voice from the nuances of the cultures of the UK.

In addition to all the above, the fact that Hungry is a live album places it as one of the iconic live recordings in the genre. Kevin Prosch's Even So Come, Michael W. Smith's Worship album's, Ron Kenoly's Lift Him Up, Vineyard's The River Is Here, WorshipTogether's Revival Generation: 12 Songs That Rocked A Nation and Passion's Better Is One Day are some of the other great live worship projects that have marked a move forward in musical prowess and capturing of great live worship experiences. Hungry takes its place among these recordings.

If you haven't have the opportunity to review this great project, here are some brief samples of the track list.  Better yet, if you do get a chance, buy this project as an MP3 album (or CD if you like) and gather in an important marker in the modern worship narrative (link to amazon at the bottom). If you aren't already using many of these songs, there will be some new gems for you to discover. Enjoy!

Amazon Product Link  Hungry / Come Now Is the Time (2 Albums in One)

Review by Kim Gentes