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CROWDER AMERICAN PRODIGAL
There are few artists in the Christian recording business who have had the crossgenerational impact as legendary worship leader and song writer, David Crowder. Crowder’ s fledgling solo era under the“ Crowder” name has so far been a rousing success. American Prodigal, Crowder’ s second solo effort, is a bit more centered musically within the genre as Crowder takes fewer risks, but this album still successfully steers clear of any form of mediocrity. The theme of the promise of an eternity above for a sinful human race is woven dynamically throughout the enormous 16 track deluxe version of the release. Crowder’ s use of his Texas, southern-fried rock influence is all over this album. Songs like,“ Keep Me,”“ All You Burdens,” and“ Shouting Grounds,” are all along this vein, with the best of these being“ Run Devil Run,” which is peppy swamprock southern ditty that features some great guitar work over driving snappy drum beats.“ Forgiven” is a big worship anthem that was clearly made for radio play, yet features a few guest rappers, which seems to be the new thing to do. Interestingly, even Crowder himself adopts a bit of their brand of rap style in“ Keep Me,” as he semi-raps a couple of times.“ All My Hope” mixes that well known rasp of Crowder’ s tenor with a gospel piano that takes the listener straight to a Sunday morning southern gospel worship experience.
“ All We Sinners” has a hymn quality that could be a wonderful song surrounding a time of confession and absolution that points worshipers to the empty grave. The saving power of the Gospel is in full effect as Crowder shouts....“ Saved, we are saved, the gates of heaven wide open. Saved, we are saved, the keys to the grave have been stolen”. Personally, I loved this album, mostly because not only have I been a Crowder fan for years, but also because I loved how many tracks were steeped in the southern rock / Gospel music style that really connects with me for some reason. I could have done without all the guest rap parts, but I know he does that in his live shows and is trying to connect to a different group of people, and that’ s a good thing. Overall, this album isn’ t as quirky and different as Neon Porch, and that will disappoint some, but I appreciate that David Crowder wants to write music that first honors God, and second, connects people to their God across a wide array of ages and ethnicities. Most of the songs on this album are learnable by an average worship team and could be used in your Sunday morning set list. This album is entertaining, inspiring, and vertical. You will love it.
PRESTONWOOD WORSHIP SONGS OF THE PEOPLE
Prestonwood
Worship is the music ministry of the 42,000-member Prestonwood
Baptist
Church, located in Dallas, Texas. Their latest live worship album, Songs Of the People, features all new songs from Prestonwood’ s worship team, led by Michael Neale, along with their renowned 500-voice mass choir and special guests Paul Baloche and Michael W. Smith. The songs contained in this project were definitely written for Sunday morning worship and are delivered with passion and authenticity. The album opener,“ Songs Of The People,” which was co-written by Michael Neale and Paul Baloche, sets up the album well with its hook-laden chorus that celebrates how God’ s people have been using the gift of music to worship their Creator throughout history. A string laden intro that runs through the beloved melody of the famous hymn,“ I Surrender All” sets the tone for“ You Can Have It All,” with Neale singing about how God wants every part of us.“ Your Love is Our Favorite Song” features an inviting melody that will draw in even the most tune-deaf pew member, and“ You Cover Me” features a gorgeous cello and piano foundation and is based on Psalm 91.
GEROD BASS Worship leader in Tacoma, WA. Mentor with Worship Catalyst. Singer, songwriter, guitarist with a passion for impacting lives for the sake of the Gospel.
“ Let the Redeemed” sees the Prestonwood Mass Choir trading vocals seamlessly with Baloche, and the Rick Briscoe-led“ Grace So Marvelous,” is a cleverly written modern hymn that could easily rival the best works from Isaac Watts or Charles Wesley. However, Michael W. Smith shows up only at the closing track of the record,“ We Are Alive,” which is a tad on the non-descript side. While the overall creativity of this collection from Prestonwood is nothing out of the ordinary, I really loved how they involved the entire choir, worship team, and congregation in this recording. So often on worship albums we only hear one or two voices from the platform with the congregation somewhere off in the distance. Prestonwood did a fabulous job of using their entire team, and the harmonies from the choir throughout this project made it special. There are a lot of great songs here, and those of you who are worship leaders should add this album to your collection.
ERIC KNEIFEL NO SHADOWS
Portland, Oregon based worship leader, Eric Kneifel, has been leading God’ s people in song and corporate worship for more than 20 years. His debut worship album, No Shadows, was funded by a successful Kickstarter campaign and contains twelve
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Jan � Feb 2017 WorshipMusician. com
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