Kim Gentes

For many years, I have reviewed and recommended music and resources from a unique church resource perspective. I love the opportunity of finding great tools for the local church. But as creative leader, myself, there is a deep desire to experience excellence and beauty in the art of music, and to see that inspire the church creative community. In my ventures in the last 15 years, I have come across a worship leader/songwriter named Andrew Smith a number of times.

But what I didn't know about Andrew was that the last several years has had him on a musical journey where he is receiving flourishing acclaim as a tap style guitar instrumentalist. In addition to a strong presence as a singer/songwriter, Andrew has toured and recorded extensively playing and delighting audiences with some beautiful tap-style guitar works.  My goal with this article today is simply to highlight some of Andrew's music for you, and to give you a sample of this gifted artists enchanting craft.

Below is a 6 minute 40 second video of a piece called "African Tap". Take a moment, sit back, watch and listen. You will be delighted, encouraged, and at once inspired- whether you are someone who is involved in creative artistry or not. You can also see more information about Andrew on his own website.

I want to thank Andrew for giving me permission to include this video on my site.  You can find out more about Andrew's music and journey at his site directly at : http://andrewsmithmusic.com/

I hope you find Andrew's music as inspiring and encouraging as I do.

Sincerely

Kim Gentes

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

WorshipMusic.com Congratulates

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.."

Right at the start let me say "Hymns: a modern translation" is an engaging, and beautiful worship experience that I am pleased to grant an Editor's Choice Award.

In the last 10 years, I have had the privilege of listening to and writing reviews on hundreds of worship projects/CDs. Of all those only a handful have captured my ear and hearts as much as this project. As a Christian, I have never believed that any single style of music was more "sacred" than any other for one simple reason: it all comes down to content. This is especially so in our devotionally focused worship music since it carries with it our expressions of both our theology and our heart cry of praise. But no matter how well written the lyrical content, a song will not engage as a script for the church worldwide if it does not contain exceptionally crafted music as well.

"Hymns: a modern translation" takes on both these challenges and adds sparkling productions to beautiful vocals and genuine emotion to make one of the best modern worship CDs I have ever heard.

Starting with an outstanding list of time-honored songs from the centuries Sean and Aimee Dayton, along with producer Andrew Horrocks, burst into acoustic rock renderings of Nothing But the Blood, My Jesus I Love Thee, All Hail The Power, Fairest Lord Jesus, Crown Him With Many Crowns, and Holy, Holy, Holy. They add to that a perfect selection of recent century hymn expressions in The Wonderful Cross, In Christ Alone and What a Friend We Have In Jesus.

I am sure some will assume I am exaggerating by saying this is a perfect CD. They would be wrong. From vibrant acoustic rock instrumentation to warm, emotive vocals with a pensive and honest interpretive styling, Sean Dayton brings each song to track as an act of worship. Of the 320 some reviews we have written in the last 10 years at Worshipmusic.com, just 5 of them have been specifically albums dedicated to modern renderings of hymn classics. Taking the risk to make an artful blend of historically loved songs with engaging music for the present day requires not just musical prowess, but sensitivity to gather the best of the ages and present them to today's church.

As I travel down the freeway, this CD spins in the player. My 16 year old son is worshiping loudly, my 13 year old son lifts arms held up in worship and dear old dad (at the grand old age of 40) is lifting his voice and heart up in exultation to God (and keeping hands and eyes focused on the road). The scripture comes to mind - "One generation shall praise Your works to another, and shall declare Your mighty acts." (Psalm 145:4)

Clearly Andrew Horrocks and the Daytons have succeeded with this CD in their goal of having "people of all ages worshipping together". I encourage you to join in as well and review this CD for yourself. I am sure you will be caught up, as I was, with the saints of the ages as we sing to our Savior, Jesus.

If you are a subscriber to WorshipTeam.com, all the songs on this CD, including audio and chord charts and lyrics are included in WorshipTeam.com's song database (along with 6000 other songs).

Amazon Product Link: Hymns: A Modern Translation  

Also available on ION Worship @ Hymns: A Modern Translation

Review by Kim Anthony Gentes

Kathryn Scott is the voice and writer of the modern classic song "Hungry". After a 2003 debut album ("Satisfy"), Kathryn has now come out with her first studio project entitled "I Belong". With this new release comes a deep message of God's love and our identity in Him delivered in a crystal clear audio experience of music and lyrics. Even after listening to this CD about 20 times, I am more captivated each time through this beautiful project. The album runs along two paradoxical axis- music and lyric content.

Musically, the album starts at the top of the perfectly layered radio playable sound prevalent in many modern worship recordings. Bristling acoustic guitar strokes, wistfully layered electric guitars with melody and low end power chords, simple drum rhythms and bass lines. As the album progresses, the arrangements gently slope into a simpler, pensive sound that ends with everything stripped away- leaving some songs that rest perfectly in just piano and voice. Along the way we encounter interlaced strings, upright bass, mandolin and solo cello contributions. Each part is well placed, and the whole album has that synchronicity of perfect sound and space that musos would say "it just breathes".

Thematically, the album is a beautiful representation that flows from declaration of God's works and power ("Everything Changes", "Thank you For the Cross", and "You Gave Your Live Away") to His identity ("Only True God" & "What a Friend") and our identity in Him and His love ("I Belong", "Grace Has Called My Name", and "Love Rescued Me"). Songs of praise ("How Could I Ever Say Thank You") and prayer ("Will Justice Rain") are perfectly integrated. The themes on this recording will bring you in ebbs and flows into a clear revelation of God's love and our enviable position of favor in His eyes. Frankly speaking, I also appreciate, on this album, the avoidance of so many overly-clever lyric attempts that seem to be cropping up on other worship albums-void attempts to grab a tired audience of worshipers. This mature songwriting keeps Kathryn in the echelon of writers who maintain a strong connection with scriptural renderings of ancient truths.

As theme and arrangements intersect, I find this recording a perfect oasis in the desert of so many over-produced, over-thought, and over-hyped albums hoping to provide a drink of the songs of heaven to parched-weary worshipers. If you are just thirsty for drinking in great truth about God, while raising your heart in thanks and contrite declaration of His grace, you will really love this album. With music accessible for literally every age group, but beautiful enough to have several cuts on radio ("Everything Changes", "No Turning Back", and "Thank You For The Cross"), this project deserves time spinning in your car or stereo.

More than anything be sure to make it to the last three songs on this recording. Here you will find a thundering soul in pensive perfection (with a Ginny Owens-esque lilt) singing my favorite song on the album "Grace Has Called My Name". This is followed by a clarion call of gut wrenching prayer put to song- "Will Justice Reign" paints the honest picture of our choice we have to reach out to a broken world with Christlikeness lived through us. Wrapping up the album is a partial re-write of that 19th century hymn "What A Friend" (We have in Jesus). Keeping the original verses, Kathryn adds a singable hook for a sparkling new chorus.

What else can I say? I absolutely loved this album, and I think you will too! Enough said.

Product Link  I Belong

Review by Kim Anthony Gentes