Get in place for the third instalment of the Sound of Rain experience, recorded at the most recent annual conference of same name in Belo Horizontre, Brazil. Experimental worship leader Jeremy Bowser (who's solo venture Stole My Heart appeared a year ago) is back on scene this time round, leading alongside David Quinlan and the Duke team on some new and extended songs of worship.

  First track ain't new though....but it's gotta be the most passionate - and lengthy - version of the simple chorus 'Alleluia' I've ever heard! This is worship that quickly draws you into heart-touching participation - as it flows along in intense, seamless, unhurried praise of the One who reigns on high. The songs aren't particularly memorable in their own right, but aired 'live' in the form they are here, they make up one potent experience! Choruses are sung partly in English, part in Portugese, and all tunes move into spontaneous moments (moments? - most tracks last over 10 minutes!) of sensitivity to the spirit, rising and ebbing in atmosphere as they move. Instrumental ability -including tones from Carlos Torres' accordion and flute - is superb...in particular, James Duke's guitar riffs are quite knockout!

  A bonus 'bootleg' disc - featuring five additional raw, unedited tracks - begins in similar vein, with a fine anthem of praise - lasting exactly 22 minutes! This is followed by a highly Latino-flavoured ballad and several unusual, moody instrumentals. Overall, not quite as impressive as disc 1, but there's plenty of interesting stuff here, and given it's a bonus disc, why look a gift horse in the mouth!

  All in all, Sound of Rain 3 carries powerful, free-flowing worship that is both liberating and engaging. Dedicated praise that hits home!

Review by tom lennie - August 2002

“A Call to the Nations” is a missionary ministry under the leadership of Dan & Marti Duke of Jacksonville, Florida. Their heart is to see God’s people inflamed with the fire of passion to worship and serve the living God. That His glory may be seen upon the earth.

From the back of the CD:
Over 5000 worshippers answered the call to assemble in the sanctuary of Igreja Batista da Lagoinha in Belo Horizonte, Brazil for the Sound of Rain Encounter. Our worship team from the USA joined with David Quinlan and a team of Brasilian worshippers to release a vapor of worship that combined English with Portuguese that truely touched the heart of every worshipper there. With our hearts united for only one purpose to see the Glory of the Lord, we soared in praise and in worship. God filled the house with His presence.

Songs:
 1.  Introduction
 2.  Come and fill me up
 3.  Jesus, free us
 4.  Spontaneous
 5.  His banner over me
 6.  Lord, we’re so hungry
 7.  You’re so precious, Lord
 8.  Something new
 9.  All I want to do
10. Deeper with You

$13.95

Add to cart

"Sound of Rain 2"

  This second Sound of Rain album, again recorded live in the city of Belo Horizonte, Brazil, is in many ways a different affair to last year's output. Yes, it once more features the guitar gifting of James and Jon Duke, sons of Dan Duke whose Florida based Call to the Nations ministry helped sponsor this event, along with the co-worship leading of David Quinlan, himself holding solo output to his name. But Jeremy Bowser, who contributed so much to SoR1, is not present this time round - instead we find guest appearance from members of the MorningStar team, fronted by the inimitable Leonard Jones.

  In fact 5 / 7ths of the material on this disc was written by Jones (the fifth piece in partnership with Matthew Donovan), some tunes being part-sung in English, part-led by Quinlan in Portuguese, others such as the closing two tracks being delivered fully in the host language. But even those (4) Jones cuts that have appeared on previous MS projects are given quite alternative treatment here. At 17 minutes, 'Coming out of Egypt' drags out a bit; 'Oh Jah' works stirringly well, so too this easier-paced version of 'Jahweh', while the graceful 'Creator of the Universe' is as much a romantic delight as the '96 original. Jones' and Quinlan's voices ring strong and clear on these songs, each of which is textured by Leonard's dextrous aptitude on mandolin, violin, sitar or penny whistle!

  You'll never have heard 'Heart of worship' sung as movingly as it is on this set, the entire Brazilian congregation lifting their Latin-American voices in charming, dedicated unison - Mr Redman will be honoured with the result! Quinlan's own passionate 'Estou Apaixonado' ('I'm falling in love') aptly closes the 70 minute proceedings, assuring the listener that this 5-day gathering was a most significant event. So, if you too fancy some bold, innovative worship with a definite Latino flavour, then Sound of Rain 2 has gotta be the place to stop!

"Sound of Rain 1"

  'What is the sound of rain? It is the sound of heaven released in earth. It is the sound of musical instruments in the hands of gifted musicians whose hearts are inflamed with passion for the lover of their souls. It is the song that springs forth from the heart of the lovesick psalmist whose soul is desperate for more of God'
  Such is the Sound of Rain as presented on this 74-minute platter; an intense spiritual experience and a rich musical expression. The project sees the coming together of ardent young Christian musicians from Atlantic Beach, Florida and Belo Horizonte, Brazil for a unique international time of worship. It could so easily not have gelled, perhaps instead sounding contrived. But thankfully it works well - a collection of songs mainly written or co-written by keyboardist Jeremy Bowser, who leads English vocals on all songs - competently too. Most songs also have a (sometimes extended) Portuguese component - these are sung by guitarist David M. Quintan; the bi-lingual flavours blending together well so that the music doesn't sound disjointed. Rachel Meisburg's beautiful co-lead vocals appear on 'You're so precious Lord', which she in fact co-wrote with Bowser, and her backing vocals are evident throughout. All these songs have simple
lyrics, expressing, as do all musicians through the entire set, a real passion for God. This unrelenting zeal is in fact perhaps the most distinguishable feature of the recording, though the quality of musicianship (check out James Duke's lead guitar work and some stunning percussion) is also strong.
  The two exceptions to Bowser's compositions come at the start - the opening 'Come and fill me up' is a stirring Brian Doerkson delight, and Kevin Prosch's 'His banner over me' is given the works on an energetic 10-minute re-do. Indeed, the influence of Prosch is apparent elsewhere too, as is perhaps a hint of that powerful MorningStar sound (on, for example,
'Something new').
  Overall this is a moving and inspiring period of worship. This is the sound of 'the lovers of God, when the arms of their God enfold them and their joy finds articulation'. This is the Sound of Rain.

Reviews by tom lennie

| Home | New Arrivals | Featured CDs | To Order | Of Interest | Special CDs | Delirious CDs | Order Form |

| Recently Featured CDs | Upcoming | About GoldUSA | Songbooks | CrossRhythms | Search  A-L  M-Z |