Vineyard Music " More Love, More Power " 1998 VineYard Music Group
Instramentation: This recording, although a colloge of differnt recordings, has a common instrumentation theme throughout. The use of Ryhtm section instruments ( Drums, Guitars, Bass, and Piano ) give the albumn a band feel. If your looking for strings and brass sections in this... you have the wrong disc. Good use of multi-guitar feels on many of the songs. Refreshing acoustic and electic guitar blends on most of the songs makes listing easy but far less than dreamy.
Tempo: Although several songs do creshendo to rock feel, don't mistake this recording for some Petra or Whiteheart
mimmick . All cuts are tastfully done but have enough of the gritty band sound to minimize the showboat or glitz sound so many praise cuts have been prone to in the past. No bubble machine on tap here!
Lyrics/Vocals: Most Vinyard recordings have been exemplatory on the use of scripture based lyrics, no exception here. Very few Female vocals in the selction on this C.D. but a great vareity of vocal sytles to keep the listener in active particiaption.
Application: Strongly suited for small church "priase band" applications. Most of the songs on this C.D. could be reproduced effectively in a four to six peice band. The concentration here would focus on a tight rythmn section. I have been part of and have heard some this music played in ochestrated arrangenments but quite frankly have not been impressed with the result. Lyriclly, all songs should be easily taught in praise and worship services.
Strong Cuts: While it's hard to find a bad song on this albumn; I think some stand outs are: You are God, My beloved, Take my Life, Recieve our Praise (I think I hear strings!).
Weakspots: Whoever heard of producing a praise recording without including the lyrics... go figure!
"Praise" Hosanna! Music 1992
****
This CD is colection of the best cuts from five of Hosanna! Music's: Jesus is Alive, Come to the Table, Pure Heart, Crown Him, The highest Place, Up to Zion ( If your keeping track of the numbers HM 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, & 41 ) It is sold as a sampler and often discounted in most record stores. With 21 cuts this recording covers not only the best of the forementioned CD's but it also delivers a solid effort when gelled.
Instrumentation: Nothing here to knock your socks off but lots of variety. Some good aucstic guitar licks on "Keep on Praying". Latin feel on "Glory, Glory, Lord " and "O Give Thanks" mixes up the feel of this recording. The percussion arrangements are the strong suite on most cuts. Keyboards and strings with smooth transistions make listening enjoyable. Strong vocals throughout all cuts.
Tempo: With the exception of few cuts on this recording, most songs keep a moderate tempo. The arrangement of songs keep the tempo from going to far north to south. This one won't get on your teanager's play list but your Grandmother might tell you to turn it down.
Lyrics/Vocals: You can't do any better than taking word for word from "Psalm 24" ( that's the name of the song...go figure!). Background vocals are strong and carry most cuts on this recording. Solid use of good chiors with strong supporting worship leader ( lead vocal ) filling in the holes.
Application: Small and large Chiors alike should love this stuff! The arrangements lend themselves to Ochestration with full strings and brass sections. If you really want to have fun add a percusion section! This recording has some great classics around themes like Communion ( Remember Me ) and Easter ( Jesus is Alive ). While geared towards a experienced and a full sound band or orchestra many of these songs could be reproduced effectivly with a good keyboad and some creative rhythm sections.
Got a naraitve worship leader.. this should fit. Most arrangements done by Tom Brooks, that should mean somrthing to some of you.
Strong Cuts: "Jesus is Alive", "Be Glorified", "One of Us" and "There is None Like You".
Weakspots: The Australian Regee wears on you on a few cuts!
"Hosanna Music" Hosanna! Music 1990
***1/2
A colection popular praise songs produced by Tom Brooks. Although this is a dated CD it has many classic worship songs by some of the great names in priase like Don Moen, Tom Brooks Martin Nystrom and Dallas Holm. Good collection classic priase, particullarly suited for ochestra / choir arrangements.
Instrumentation: Orchestrated arrangements. Good Variety of horns and strings bring a solid sounding recordng to the the descrete music lover.
Tempo: Nice! The First few Selections on this recording are upbeat and center around a Mighty God. There are some real classics here! ( Victory Chant, Mighty man of War, Mighty is our God and Great and Might is He ) This recording also has a number of slow to moderate tempo songs that balance the overall tempo of the recording.
Lyrics/Vocals: Adequet mix of vocals. Most arrangements are done with ochestra/chior. Lead vocals on this recording are handled by either the choir or male vocals. There are only two cuts that feature female vocals. Lyrics reference the scripture they are based on, nice!
Application: If your church has an ochestra and strong chior this recording does a great job illustrating what can be with when those two group mesh. This recording also has too many classic praise songs on it to overlook a as worship leader. Although the recording is very "arrangement tight" I have heard many of these classics done with small bands and they carry very well.
Strongcuts: They have to be some of the great praise classics. Victory Chant, Mighty is our God, Great and Mighty is He, Jehovah-Nissi, and a suprise cut from the Don Moen group: I want to be where You are.
Weakspots: I have to confess that most of the cuts on this recording are polished to a tee almost to the point of sounding canned. I not a great fan of chior praise so I have to say the lack of no promimate lead singer on some cuts didn't tickle my fancy, but it might tickle yours. The music drawed me to this recording more than the arrangements. It's a keeper.
War in the Heavenlies / Hassanna!Music
A great collection of popular praise songs centered around spritiual warfare. Many classic worship songs by some of the great names in priase like Don Moen, Tom Brooks and Martin Nystrom. A collection of some "must songs' for modern day soljer of Christ. Suited for high powered electric ochestra / choir arrangements.
***1/2
Instrumentation: Orchestrated arrangements with lots of STRONG horn parts. Good electric bass parts with some tight drum parts. Solid rythmn parts make this recording flow in a march towards the kingdom.
Tempo: If you not tapping your feet, clapping your hands and ready to put on your armour after listening to this one ... your dead. Moderate tempo but nothing that will allow you to kick back, this recording demands movement!
Lyrics/Vocals: Adequet mix of vocals. Most arrangements are done with ochestra/chior. Lead vocals on this recording are handled by either the choir or male vocals.
Application: Good for churches with orchestras or good keyoard players. Strong chiors with little worship leader involvement if you play as recordings are arranged. For others: these songs are too good to ignore in any application. My advise: arrange them any way can you get them into your group!
Strongcuts: lots of great classics: The Battle Belongs to the Lord, We are Possessing, Let God Arise. Great guitar cuts with By the Blood of the Lamb and The Earth Shakes.
Weakspots: This CD is one that is so focused in content that you have to be ready for the message. The tempo allows no slow down. This isn't to say that that is bad, but beware, this isn't one you want to play before you go to bed at night, or do you? Great CD ... don't miss it!
