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Rob’s A List for 2007
From March:
Brian Doerksen
“Holy God”
Integrity Music
16 tracks @ 67:08
Grade = A
Brian provides a detailed explanation behind every song. That’s a pinch pricey for the record label but for the listener a real benefit.
This is an excellent worship record and may wind up as one of the year’s best releases. I still can’t get over the informative linear notes.
Rob S.
www.BrianDoerksen.com
www.IntegrityMusic.com
From May:
John Waller
“The Blessing”
Beach Street Records
10 tracks @ 45:55
Grade = A
I’m wondering if something’s in the air (spring?) because I’ve reviewed a lot of great music this month. Here’s another one. I don’t know how an artist scores such accolades but Waller has been named one of Billboard magazine’s “Faces to Watch” in its “Best Bets 2007” issue. It is well-deserved.
I really like the lyrics in “Calling For a Flood;” “flood all my emptiness with you.”
www.JohnWallerMusic.com
www.BeachStreetRecords.com
Tim Hughes
“Holding Nothing Back”
Sparrow Records
11 tracks @ 49:30
Grade = A
Tim Hughes, a two-time Dove Award winner and writer of the song “Here I Am to Worship,” returns with his third record. This is an excellent work of modern worship music.
The first single, “Happy Day,” is literally an uplifting resurrection song, “about the greatest day in history.”
Overall the record features simple, but Bible-centered, lyrics. “Out of the Darkness” is about rejoicing in the future hope that is mine.
My favorite track is “Living for Your Glory” as it’s about a reason to live. I’m going to talk my church’s Praise Team into performing this song.
From June:
Michelle Tumes
Self-titled
Levantar
11 tracks @ 39:55
Grade = A
I dug through my CDs and this is Michelle’s first full length CD since 2001. It is worth the wait. Michelle’s first two records are among my favorites and her new record, an independent release, follows along those lines.
Reoccurring themes include; God is always present, and nature. Among my favorite tracks are “Introint, “Domine,” and “Caelum Infinitum.” In her linear notes Michelle writes, “Sometimes to me another language such as a Latin word helps to give a new perspective and touches the soul beyond the boundaries of language.” Don’t worry! The lyrics to these songs are in English.
“Far” includes the insightful lyric, “I tried to fight but I’m my opponent.” I also liked the up-tempo “Lovely Day,” inspired by her Mum, and “Break Through.”
Michelle’s music has an ethereal quality to it, a sound you won’t hear very often in CCM. She wrote, or co-wrote all of the songs and also arranged and conducted the strings.
www.MichelleTumes.com
From August:
Mike Schuster
Independent release
12 tracks @ 40:02
Grade - A
I am continually pleasantly amazed at the talent serving in local churches.
Mike R. Schuster is the Pastor of Worship & Arts for the Bow Valley Christian Church in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Eleven of the 12 tracks on this disk are original compositions. It is beautiful worship music that many churches of all sizes will find appropriate for use.
The arrangements are generally simple and contemporary while the lyrics easy to sing. As recorded here, the songs have a slight modern country feel. Schuster’s vocals remind me of Alan Jackson. The songs “Together,” “You’re My God,” and “Walk in Your Freedom” are outstanding. The acappella version of “Unify” is simply gorgeous.
My wife often has to put up with my listening sessions and she really liked this disk.
Mark Roach
“Every Reason Why”
Myrrh Records
11 tracks @ 45:20
Grade - A
“A Thousand Hallelujahs,” “Surrounded,” and “As Long As I Have You,” are all very good tracks. The latter has the lyrics “Let the earth beneath me tremble. . .I can face it all as long as I have you.”
“Amazing” is another very nice reworking of “Amazing Grace,” with some new verses and a new chorus.
Roach does an excellent job with the traditional “It Is Well.”
www.markroach.com
From September:
Mavis Staples
“We’ll Never Turn Back”
Anti Records
12 tracks @ 51:54
Grade - A-
This might not be one of the year’s “best” records, but it is one of the most important records released this year.
On this solo effort, Mavis covers songs that were central to the Civil Rights movement. I found the linear notes very informative. The song “Down In Mississippi” will send chills down your spine.
www.MavisStaples.com
Mike Farris
“Salvation in Lights”
INO Records
11 tracks @ 45:24
Grade - A+
This is my choice for “Record of the Year.” It was also picked by the editors of ChristianityToday.com.
If I had to categorize his music, I’d label it “modern traditional Gospel.” This is a record with soul, literally. With its muted horns and clarinet, the New Orleans-flavored “Oh Mary” is way over the top, but it works. “I’ll Take You There” reminded me of Bob Seger. “I’m Gonna Get There” is another great song. “Sit Down Servant” had me standing up.
“When I’m playing music, it’s like a prayer to me,” Farris says. “I’m closer to God than I ever am, outside of my prayer. That’s the best way I can portray what I’m feeling in my heart.”
What I want to do is keep listening to this record; an awesome record, a keeper in my collection. The Bio info on Farris’s website offers a very honest and revealing look at redemption.
http://www.mikefarrismusic.net/
From October:
Christina Paul
“Surrender”
Intercessor Records/Infinity Music
10 tracks @ 42:10
Grade - A
Christina Paul was born in India to Christian recording artists. She has released six records in her native country. This is her U.S. recording debut. Fans of Rachael Lampa will appreciate this fine record.
Christina has written nine of the ten tracks on this record. There are worship songs “You Are Everything,” “You Are Everything”) and songs of assurance (“Am I Good Enough,” “Let It Go”), I also liked the beautiful, understated “Search Me (Psalm 139).” “I Wanna Be Like Him” has some excellent lyrics about worldly influences
“Lay It Down” has a funky bass, while Christian demonstrates quite a vocal range on the classical arrangement of “Gethsemane.”
I hope Christina Paul finds a wide audience in this country.