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song selection it has been in the period of 1994-1996. With a
string of ho-hum projects like "Receive Your Praise",
"I Love Loving You", "I Love Your Ways" and
"I Just Want To Thank You", Vineyard Music Group has not
helped themselves a lot. Additionally, much of Vineyard Music
focus recently has been on a flurry of collections, remixed
oldies, and "best of's", making the even the most ardent
of Vineyard worship fan crinkle a brow. But things are looking up!
One thing Vineyard has done since early days (under the direction
of Vineyard Music founder John Wimber) is to foster the constant
birthing of new songs. That kind of real encouragement can't go
too long before another crop of good fruit comes due. The most
recent addition to the TFH series is just one such
"pick" of recent fruit from Vineyard Music. Along with
the new project "The Burn Service", this CD has
indicated a strong crop of usable and fresh music from Vineyard.
So let's dive in to this CD,
"It's All About Jesus"!
To kick it off, this CD begins
with a karate chop to the chin of praise and worship project
"formula" of starting with an upbeat song and fading to
slow. Instead of hyping us up, pumping the emotions, and playing
to our expectations, they start off with the song "Stand
Back". This song moves from the contemplative position of
encouraging us all to "stand back" and let God move.
Writing the lyrics in synch with musical feel, Scott Underwood
lets the song grow, building intensity. In an attitude of
"standing back" and letting God move, the song ebbs you
into the presence of God as you refocus why we worship. This song
eases into your heart, and just as you get the point of it, you
run into the title track, "It's All About Jesus".
Easy lyrics, simply-played music,
contagious...
Easy to sing and powerful in
message, this song exemplifies the musical contribution that
Vineyard has placed in modern praise & worship over the last
several years--easy lyrics, simply-played music, contagious
melodies, and unashamed intimacy. While it isn't as reflective and
haunting as the Matt Redman "Heart Of Worship", it
doesn't have to be. Still, the messages are the same, and there is
no doubt a number of people who will get the two songs confused
just by title.
The trek continues through Simple
Prayer, a vintage Terry Butler song rife with accidentals (those
keyboard players :) and the lyrical message of God's holiness.
Another nice touch on the first "set" of this project is
the modern hymn "My Soul Finds Rest" by Mary McLean. Not
a redone oldie, but a revisitation to themes of "On Christ
the Solid Rock", complete with 3/4 time and beautifully
spacious notes.
The second "set" is
led by Danny Daniels. Track eight heralds a wonderful song
"Faithful Love". A great songwriting contribution by
Rita Springer and nice vocals by Paula Bowers make this a [repeat]
track on most CD players. Danny Daniels chimes in with "River
Of Delight", a soft congregational declaration of what we
will do at the coming of Christ. Another song that builds with
intensity, "River Of Delight" leads well into the 70s
country/rock sounding "Lord I Lift Up My Voice". A
signature of Danny Daniels songwriting and leading, this song
reminisces of the straight forward praise of his classic
"Glory". Thereafter comes a couple of songs from Mark
McCoy, lifting the worship into much more upbeat praise.
"Messiah" is an excellent moving rock ballad that calls
out to Christ. "Messiah" hints at a blues feel, and that
gets re-ignited in the next song. "Sow In Tears" has
strong musical composition, though it misses singable and
well-paced lyrics that typically accompany Vineyard songs. The
trek of nostalgia doesn't end until the song "We Will
Run", when Danny Daniels wraps up the set with another
declarative song, but this one has a 60s feel. A nice praise song
telling God how we will run to Him.
"Humbia" is yahoo or
yippee in Aborigine...
And just when you were sitting
back and thinking you were finished, the great surprise of the
album happens-- "Wonderful"! Appropriately titled, this
song is jumps and hops into praise for God. I was unsure as to the
language of the lyrics in the intro line of the song, but Vineyard
Music assures me it is that oft sought after language of
aboriginal Australian. Apparently the word "Humbia"
means "yahoo" (not to be confused with the website) or
"yippee". I didn't need to call VMG to get the intention
of the song, though. Contagious and upbeat, you will be bouncing
throughout the day as this tune rings through your head. This
would be a great song to alter, by fixing a "yippee" in
your favorite local dialect over the current "humbia"
('course, you'll want to make sure that's covered on your CCLI
license and such ;) .
Overall, I think this CD
represents the meatiest offering from Vineyard in some time.
Though not as creative a musical effort as "You Shelter
Me", from the same TFH series, the songs are certainly more
useable and likely to be used in the local church. You won't love
all the songs on this album, but you will like 3 or 4. Your friend
across town will like a different 3 or 4. Your friend across
country will like another 3 or 4. You get the picture- a little
something for everyone, without fluff anywhere.
Nicely done Vineyard Music!
Welcome back.
The CD and sound clips are available on the worshipmusic.com
website. |
