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Music Reviews (by Kim Gentes)

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.

Entries in Like Men Who Dreamed (1)

Selah 2 - Like Men Who Dreamed - Heather Clark (2002)

Over the years, reading and growing in the words of life given to us from the Scripture has been a combination of desire, delight and duty. Like many people, I am sure, enjoying the encouragement of the bible text is not a constant level of delight. Sometimes we continue in the word, simply because we are instructed by the Lord and the Bible itself to do so. Eventually, our duty turns to desire and then delight.

Along the way through that ongoing progression of our devotional lives, it is encouraging to have inspiration from the Lord come through other sources. One such source is scripture in music. If we were to trace the history of modern day Christian music (not just worship music, but even contemporary Christian music- CCM) we would find much of its origins in small publishing company called 'Scripture In Song'. From that company in the late 60's/early 70's (and other like sources) grew much of what we have today in praise and worship. There was a reason for the potency and application of those songs-- they allowed the authentic follower of Christ to draw in the God-breathed words of Scripture through their minds and emotions-- through words and music. It is that same strength that Heather Clark draws on to continue the 'Praying the Bible' series of projects with her latest CD 'Selah 2 - Like Men Who Dreamed'.

Using the Psalms as the base, she adds her signature vocals and growing musical palette to develop melody and vibe to a number of songs of the Psalms. It is suprising to me that this powerful combination seems somewhat lacking as a general rule through most praise and worship projects. But this CD certainly adds a wonderful example for all of us byt taking good music and melody writing skills and partnering them to the skill of the lyric writers in the Psalms.

You will find these not only resourceful as praise and worship materials, but you will be reciting Scripture joyfuly, as these infectious melodies work their way into your mind and heart.

What is great is that you can check out a number of the songs online by listening to some audio samples yourself. I think you will find, as I did, that scripture in song is alive and well, and has some heart and passion! See the above sound clips to hear it yourself!

Product Link Selah 2 - Like Men Who Dreamed

Selah!
Kim Gentes