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 Live from the Sunset Strip (1)
Live from the Strip - Kate Miner (1999)
Friday, August 17, 2007 at 5:34PM 
There is a certain quality that God blesses some with. It is musical, yet it is more than notes. It is confidence, yet it is more than personality. It is giftedness, yet it is more than prodigy for the sake of self glorification. It is that certain something we have found in those that don't just excel, they expand and explore. We have met these people; people like Kevin Prosch, Martin Smith, Darrell Evans, and Brian Doerksen. Meet another one of those people - Kate Miner! And meet the new project "Live Worship from the Strip" out of the new praise and worship label "Sovereign Productions".
All this "newness" might seem like just a fashionable trend to those not aware of the heritage coming with this great worship project. While a new company, Sovereign is no small outfit or a fly-by-night garage recording studio. Run by some of the same people that brought you the new sound of Vineyard music, when it was still "new", Sovereign is headed by worship veteran Carl Tuttle. With worship leader Kate Miner, Sovereign has come out of the gate with an awesome debut project in "Live Worship from the Strip".
Right from the intro, you get the feeling this CD was going to burst with expression. The first cut, "Dream Before You", feels part rock club, part beckoning love song. It isn't long before you realize this CD is no cookie cutter experience. At times Miner's vocals and lyrics become so intimate, it pushes the listener to the precipice of decision- I am either going to participate with this (and worship), or I am shutting this thing off. There isn't much room for "fluff" in any song on this CD. Miner is intense and overwhelming as an artist. Songs like "Dream Before You" and "Better Is One Day" make the point with Pat Benatar-esque vocal power and Delirious?-esque rhythms and strength.
The intensity and raw intimacy don't just reside in rock ballads and driving beats. "Hung The Moon" becomes my favorite cut from the project, as Miner sings a song from God to us, expressing His incredible providence. Hearing Scripture crafted in song and then sung like this is as beautiful as it is riveting. One thing this CD does is leave behind any traces of the pop country/jazz/easy listening 70's sound that has pervaded much of the praise & worship "sound" since the early 80's. This project is clearly rock. There is lots of adoration on this album too - check out "Holy Spirit Come". Excellent.
On the way to making this completely live project a reality, the crisp, cleanness of a studio sound is sacrificed, no doubt about it. But Miner doesn't care, and neither should you. As she powers her voice to heaven, you will wonder how you ended up belting it out along with her (as the man in the car in the next lane looks at you like you're going berserk).
To quote Matt Redman (who listened to a preview copy of the CD) :
"It's 'Intimacy' with guts!"
Enough said! Run, don't walk, and get this great new rock praise & worship CD.
Product Link Live from the Strip - Kate Miner
blessings
Kim G.
p.s. For those who didn't know, the album 'Intimacy' was the original title of Matt's project that came out in the US under the title "Heart Of Worship".
Editor note: this review was originally written in 1999, and like many things in the music industry much has changed, including, sadly, the demise of the company that produced this recording.