"Doing The Stuff"

  Recorded live at London's annual Vineyard conference in April 2000, "Doing The Stuff" (a John Wimber catch-phrase) follows on from the huge success of Vineyard UK's first three worship ventures, in which this expanding team has
established itself internationally as worship musicians of genuine repute. This output, rather than a true successor to the previous 'three', is more an appraisal of the journey so far, containing no newly-penned material. Instead a select choice of Vineyard 'goodies' are presented - 'classic' songs every one. Five stem from Vineyard Songs UK/Eire '98-2000 -
'Surrender' is given fresh and effective female lead vocals, one or two others are rather less strong than the stunning originals). Other 'V'-tunes include Brian Doerksen's classic '90 pslam 'I lift my eyes up', Craig Musseau's 'Pour out my heart' from four years later and The Burn Service's moving 'I love Your Presence'. The sole two non-Vineyard inclusions are hymns of yore - the tenderly gorgeous 'All to Jesus' and a strikingly sensitive arrangement of Isaac Watt's 'When I survey'.
  For a one-off conference recording, the sound is amazingly rich, clear and balanced, while also maintaining a 'live' atmospheric feel throughout. Fine production comes from keyboardist Nigel Hemming, while a CD-ROM offers guitar chords, acetate masters and video footage of the actual conference.
  Those fully up-to-date with Vineyard output will perhaps be disappointed by the lack of original material here displayed. Others, seeking poignant, freshly-inspired renditions of truly great worship songs cannot fail to be blessed. Thankfully there's no indication here that Vineyard UK have stopped 'doing the stuff'!

Review by tom lennie

"Yesterday - Today - Forever"

  If there ever was a distinction between praise and worship such difference is markedly stated by their separation on this double CD output. Recorded live before 3,000 people at the Kingdom Faith Camp 2000 where pastor Colin Urquhart daily taught the principles of 'True Worship', the first disc is full of what KF call 'faith praise' - celebratory songs of upbeat praise that certainly sound as if these worshippers are having a good time. Thus the catchy calypso rhythm of the two opening tunes, the quirkiness of 'I delight in You' and the steadier pace of Darrell Evan's 'Trading my sorrows'. Trouble is, some of these songs (especially the home-grown ones) contain repetitive lyrics and rather uninspiring melodies, making me want to click on 'next' before the end of each song. Much more impressive is the light jazz funk of 'Wade in the water', an instrumental with delightful piano, sax, trumpet and organ sounds; also the unusual country-praise of Sammy Horner's 'Party goin' on upstairs', a tongue-in-cheek 'yee-ha' tune with fittingly earthy lead vocals.
  The second Cd is altogether different. Powerful, flowing songs of worship that immediately help lift your spirit, drawing you into the presence of God. Deborah Page leads magnificently on 'Great is Your faithfulness' (not the popular hymn) and 'How majestic', but effective too is Anne Ruffo's 'Jesus, Lord of Lords' and the simple '78 chorus 'I love You Lord'. Extended spontaneous praise comes towards the close (around 30 minutes worth!) with an emphasis on the imminent return of Jesus, God's holy fire and the glory of Christ.
  Those familiar with previous Kingdom Faith recordings will be familiar too with this unique and passionate style of worship. For those unfamiliar, a powerful experience awaits you!

Review by tom lennie

"United Live - Best Friend"

  How do you follow the success of the hugely popular "United Live - Everyday"? With more of the same - that's Hillsong Music's reasoned and welcome response. Retaining both the worship leading of Rueben Morgan/Marty Sampson and the same overall line-up of musicians/vocalists, this fresh output is bursting at the seams with atmosphere and dedication.
  In keeping with "Everyday" we are treated to a couple of decidedly anthemic praise tunes; the catchy stadium-praise of the opening 'Best Friend' and the steady pulse of Morgan's 'Jesus Generation'. We are also rocked by two frantic slabs of energy in guitarist Raymond Badham's 'I live for You' with it's swirling synths, and Sampson's closing 'The reason I live'. But equally true to form are those flowing ballads that reach to the heart of worship; I'm thinking of the soaring beauty of 'Saving grace', 'God of all creation' and 'I will sing', (each written or co-written by United Live newcomers), or the 9-min+ passion of 'Jesus, Lover of my soul', the only 'oldie' to feature here and one you may recognize in different format, having appeared on that '96 Hillsong classic "Shout to the Lord". Indeed it seems like these guys truly enjoy their worship - with several of these numbers given extended, emotion-laden treatment.
  Loud, delicate, soaring, hushed - you'll find plenty of variety here, as Hillsong Youth boldly declare His praises with a United voice.

Review by tom lennie

POEMS WITHOUT WORDS /
SEVEN HILLS
by Adrian Snell
England

www.oneway.nl/adriansnell

‘Poems’ - all music composed by Adrian Snell
‘Seven Hills ’ - co-written by Jon Birch and Adrian Snell
Comments by Adrian Snell:
The two CDs that carry this instrumental collection form, in a sense, a bridge between my past work and what is to come. The first CD, Poems, represents my own choice of instrumental tracks taken from a range of my albums, including some new mixes and edits. The second CD, Seven Hills, will introduce you to some very new sounds. It’s a project that I have been developing together with Jon Birch, co-producer of City of Peace and Intimate Strangers. Jon has worked with sounds and samples from The Cry, Solo and various other ‘Snell’ sources to create a whole new experience of my music.

Poems without words

Seven Hills

Songs:
  1.  Coverdale
  2.  Roads to Zion
  3.  City of Peace
  4.  Moriah
  5.  The Last Supper
  6.  Yerushalayim
  7.  Night
  8.  One of the Stars
  9.  With the Sun on Her Wings
10.  Lift Up Your Eyes
11.  All Will Be Well
12.  Over the City
13.  Roads to Zion (piano solo)
14.  Golgotha
15.  With the Sun on Her Wings
       (2nd version)

Songs:
  1.  Beneath these Hills
  2.  Winter Long
  3.  Solitude
  4.  A Dozen Red Roses
  5.  Weather Warning
  6.  Mysterious Stones
  7.  Coverdale (revisited)
  8.  To the Cradle
  9.  Mornings
10.  Further Shore

$14.95

Complete inventory of Adrian Snell CDs

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"Poems / Seven Hills"

  Ever since his first venture on vinyl back in the 1970's, the career of Adrian Snell has been one of constant and outstanding creativity. Never content to be standing still, even in the midst of musical success - he is ever pushing the boat out, ever exploring new styles and soundscapes. His 1999 disc "Intimate Stranger" was a radical vocal departure from anything we'd heard before. In "Poems / Seven Hills" we find a coming together of older inst' sounds with Adrian's fascination for experimenting with newer textures / colours.

  The 'verses' on "Poems" are picked directly from Adrian's discography over many years, with a couple of new mixes to boot. Many are inspired by specific bible passages, e.g. 'Lift up your eyes' and 'The Last Supper'. 'Road to Zion' is wonderfully dramatic, while the likes of 'Coverdale' and 'City of Peace' are amongst the most beautiful instrumentals I've heard.

  "Seven Hills" is an intriguing blend of evocative synth and drum samples, along with more ethnic sounds like piano, guitar, sax and chimes! With both music and track titles enticing use of creative imagination, these sensitive, sometimes melancholy and occasionally quite chilling tones are fascinating in effect. They leave you in no way depressed or despondent, but gently uplifted and encouraged.

  With such great music and attractive presentation, this really is excellent value-for-money. Anticipating Snell's upcoming project "The Cry" - it's been several years in the works! - we can at present be thoroughly blessed by this timeless collection of - Poems without words.

Review by tom lennie

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