Music reviews
Re:fresh stocks a wide range of contemporary and traditional music on CD. Come and select from our browser and listen to the latest compilations on the listening post. Click the appropriate category below for reviews:-
Popular worship leaders
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Christmas music
 History Makers:Greatest Hits - Delirious?
New (and final) release from the band that defined a new era in Christian music.
There are two offerings - a conventional CD with 12 songs, at £12.99 or a pack with two CDs featuring 31 songs, a DVD with all the band's videos, and a 60-page book, all at £24.99.
The CD includes songs such as History Maker, I could sing of your love forever, Did you feel the mountains tremble and Our God Reigns.
 We Shall not be Shaken - Matt Redman
Twelve new songs from the popular singer/songwriter including This is how we know, We shall not be shaken, You alone can Rescue, The Glory of Our King, How Great is your faithfulness and a communion song, Remembrance.
 Faith+Hope+Love - Hillsong
Hillsong's 18th live album features "Thirteen songs of faith in the midst of personal circumstances, hope in Jesus for the future and love one for another". Features Darlene Zschech, Reuben Morgan and others
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CompassionArt CD/DVD and book
Compassion Art is an inspiring venture by twelve leading Christian songwriters to produce a CD/DVD and a book with the proceeds from sales and royalties going to charity.
 The artists, who include Matt Redman, Darlene Zschech, Chris Tomlin and Graham Kendrick, met for a week-long retreat beside a Scottish loch and produced 14 brand new worship songs spanning a wide range of genres. They were joined by Amy Grant and other vocalists to record their album at the Abbey Road studios.
The CompassionArt CD also includes a 55-minute DVD giving an account of the project and PDFs of song sheets for all the songs in the album. Cost is just £13.00. There is also a 320-page book with contributions from all 12 artists. Price £12.99.
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New albums
My Soul Sings - Delirious?
 Now it's time for the band’s last-ever project recorded together; My Soul Sings - a DVD and CD recorded live, early in 2008 in Bogota, Colombia.
In front of a crowd of 15,000, the five blokes we know as Delirious? had the privilege of pointing heads, hearts and hands up to heaven. My Soul Sings? Like never before...Majesty, HistoryMaker, Deeper all make it onto the album, along with recent favourites Love Will Find A Way, God Is Smiling and Paint The Town Red.
Happy Day - Tim Hughes
 On a Tuesday evening in mid-September 2008, the famous Shepherds Bush Empire was filled to capacity with 2000 worshippers. Led by Tim Hughes and a hand-picked group of musicians and singers featuring Stu G (Delirious?) on guitar, members of The 29th Chapter and the Sacred dance team, the venue was set alight.
Tim was joined by Martin Smith (Delirious?) for Here I am to Worship. New songs include Remember, Jesus Saves, We won’t stay silent and Give us Your Courage. Also included are Beautiful One, Consuming Fire, Here I am to Worship, Be My Everything, Happy Day, Dance and God of Justice, as well as When I Survey.
The specially commissioned visuals for the event added another dynamic to the message of thesongs. It was an unforgettable evening, which also kicked off the UK Worship Central tour. The high quality release features all 12 songs on both the CD and the DVD, in a special digipack. The DVD also includes a talk from Mike Pilavachi and Tim talking about some of the songs on the project.
Hello Love - Chris Tomlin
 For years, Chris Tomlin has captivated worship audiences around the world with his signature songwriting style. He has become known from his songs that are sung daily blessing the church with endless talent and moving lyrics. Now, he’s come back with a theme in Hello Love. It opens with Sing, Sing, Sing, a song that has the familiar ring of Tomlin’s electrifying guitar-driven worship songs. Chart topper, Jesus Messiah, comes in next which mixes a message of the gospel with praise. If you’re an avid listener of Chris Tomlin and you’ve enjoyed what you’ve heard to date, you will love this album. It’s full of classic Tomlin material, and is filled with uplifting and praise-giving songs.
Kingdom Come - Live worship from New Wine
 The anthems of summer 2008, recorded live at New Wine North and South.
Featuring Ed Pask, Eoghan Heaslip, Vicky Beeching, Trent, Neil Bennetts, David Gate, Martyn Layzell and Nick Herbert, Pete James and Andy Smith. This double CD combines the best worship songs emerging through the church with impactful new songs. The CD recalls the atmosphere of heartfelt worship from all New Wine weeks, a unique experience and a recording that will bring the listener closer to God.
Promised Land - Lou Fellingham
 The lead singer with Phatfish has been involved in many Christian events and featured on albums by Matt Redman and Stuart Townend
This is Lou’s second album of new inspiring worship songs .The melodies are memorable and the arrangements skilful. Lou’s voice is distinctive, coping with acoustic ballads as well as the more full on rocky numbers. This album is a winner.
Revelation - Third Day
 The Atlanta veterans return after the departure of guitarist Brad Avery, with a collection of distinctly recognisable tunes infused with a crisp edginess. The opening riff of the first song, This is who I am, really does set the scene for the album, as do the thought-provoking and inspiring lyrics. Slow Down, Run To You and lead single Call My Name all have the feel of future staples in their live set. Sonically the musicianship is typically impressive. Tai Anderson's bass lines have a more prominent level in the mix - of particular benefit to the texture of the sound. The newly slimmed-down band delivers a quality record that all Third Day fans will enjoy, and should be investigated by anyone with even a passing interest in rock music. Drummer David Carr suggests that "This is a new statement of who Third Day is." Discover just how powerful this new statement is for yourself.
The Best of Stuart Townend Live (2 cd )
Kingsway
 Praise and Worship Album of the Year 2008.
Stuart Townend has the ability to write songs full of sound theology and dynamic challenges and is one of today's finest hymn writers.
On this collection he journeys from his earliest songs to his newest with the recordings compiled from various live events.
Listeners will enjoy the familiar songs and maybe re-discover less well-known ones.
Today is the Day - Lincoln Brewster
Integrity Music
Lincoln Brewster is known as a gifted worship leader and songwriter who has used his voice and incredible guitar playing to create unforgettable worship songs.
Following up on his successful release Let The Praises Ring, Lincoln is back with a new project of amazing worship songs that his loyal fans will love and new fans will be excited to discover.
Today is the Day combines loud rock guitar with passionate, heartfelt songwriting and singing.
A New Hallelujah! - Michael W Smith
Integrity Music
 This is Michael W Smiths third album recorded live in Texas with more than 12,000 worshippers and special guests the African Children’s choir and Israel Houghton.
There are several new songs as well as familiar ones such as ‘Mighty to Save’ and ‘I surrender all’. This is a good introduction for those discovering his music for the first time. Musically there are great moments of praise and good vocal performances from Michael. There is plenty of variety in this album with upbeat and reflective moments - it is not just an ambient experience.
Great God who Saves - Laura Story
 “Indescribable” was a big hit for Chris Tomlin in 2004, but now you can hear the original version written and sung by Laura Story in her debut album Great God who Saves.
Her songs have an acoustic pop feel to them with strong lyrics and melodies which combine statements of truth with a personal response. A few lines from the song Grace illustrate this:-"The price that I could never pay was paid at Calvary So instead of trying to repay You I'm learning to simply obey You By giving up my life to You for all that You've given to me."
“Mighty to save” by Hillsongs is the only song not written by Laura. Several songs lend themselves to personal or group worship. There are subtle echoes of some of Amy Grant’s early songs and, interestingly, Amy provides some of the background vocals.
This is an album that has the potential for touching deep places within you and inspiring you to “to gaze deeper and stay longer and to press onward to know” the Lord. (from the track There is nothing). Very highly recommended - The best album I have heard for a long time. I am tempted to buy one for everyone I know!!!
The final track “Perfect Peace” gently ministers to the wounded and is earthed in reality. “…though I may not calm the storms around you, you can hide in me…Stay close by my side …Keep your eyes on me ….Let me bear your load ‘cause I will give you perfect peace.”
Review by Marguerite Williams
Beautiful News - Matt Redman. Code: SURCD50712
 It’s a safe bet that if an album has Matt Redman’s name on it it’s going to be good. It’s also a safe bet that we will all be singing the songs for years. Beautiful News is no exception. Proving yet again why Redman is one of the world’s most popular worship leaders, this latest release can be summed up in two words - triumph and wonder. Triumph in worship (A Greater Song), in freedom (Blessing), in joy and salvation (the title track, Beautiful News), and even in suffering (You Never Let Go). Wonder in our existence (Fearfully and Wonderfully Made), in creation (All Over The World, co-written by Martin Smith) and that God found us and saved us (Take It To The Streets, which features Smith on guest vocals).
In contrast to the samples and loops of previous releases this is a ‘live studio’ album; i.e. put a band in a studio and let them go. Beautiful News is sheer stadium worship with U2-tinged delayed guitars and open throttle drums. Matt’s voice soars like never before and John Ellis of Tree63 throws in some riffs for good measure. This is unashamed, back-to-basics stuff from a zealous worshipper at the top of his game.
All That Matters –Jonathan Veira Product Code: CC0890D
 Eclectic, chocolate voiced opera singer Jonathan Veira continues to dip in and out of the CCM scene with jazz and blues influenced albums. All That Matters is his best yet. Opening with the cheeky gospel of Show A Little Mercy, it goes on to yet another version of Redman’s Blessed Be Your Name. The title track All That Matters, is a gorgeous Elton John-esque ballad about the certainty of Jesus in a transient world. Silky trumpet from Raul D’Oliveira drips over the liquid bass and Zero 7 funk of In The Calm and Love Song, the music matching the tranquillity of the lyrics, and the lyrical high point is the beautiful, politically tinged flag-waver Only A Dream, about Christ bringing true peace in our time. Producer Neil Costello wisely stands back from a singer and band clearly enjoying themselves. The album is split roughly into two parts; after the smoky atmosphere of the first half the second half focuses more on straightforward worship to match anything by Graham Kendrick, reflecting two sides of this worshipper/performer. This is one of the coolest albums of the year.
Vineyard - Thank You For The Cross Produce Code: 1280702
 UK Vineyard Worship have made an unmistakable impact on the UK worship scene. Since their first release in 1998 with Come Now Is The Time the unique Vineyard sound has begun a revolution in the way we worship in church and produced a catalogue of now classic songs.
This release looks back over the last eight years at songs focusing on the Cross. The glory and mercy of Christ's sacrifice are found in songs like the title track and Great Is Your Name. Alongside are more reflective songs such as the heart cry of I Have Been Redeemed and the inspiring, celtic reworking of the classic When I Survey. A perfect album both for personal reflection and as a church resource.
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