"Mezzamorphis"

  You've heard the great 2 x cd "Cutting Edge"? You've thoroughly enjoyed the worship intimacy of ballads like 'What a Friend I've Found'? You've heard others raving about their new album "Mezzamorphis"? Well, beware! This volume is a blaster! Though yes indeed, it is the album that has given this small town (Littlehampton) English band universal acclaim within the music industry, an acclaim almost unparalleled for a Christian rock group.
"Mezzamorphis" takes the band to a new place musically, though they're intent on going yet further. Hence the opening track 'Mezzanine Floor' (floor between two floors), which expresses the album's theme. This is presented in a different way in 'Metamorphis', exploring the notion of change from one form to another. Indeed these two song-titles part-combined make up the overall project title.
  The album was many months in the making, but the result is a rich accomplished sound, revealing a band in top form. All the more impressive, when you note that these guys did the production and engineering work themselves. The album is highly explorative musically (and thematically), as it winds it's way through many creative styles, insisting on your full
attention throughout.
  Surprises appear in abundance, with a constant musical twisting and turning. Driving crunch guitars ('Bliss' etc); swirling synths, brooding atmospheric sounds (on 'Blindfold'); wonderful catchy choruses (eg. 'See the Star'); the inclusion of a brass band on the moving love song 'It's OK' (recently released in the UK as a single); it's all here. But above it all rises the strong yet warm vocals of Martin Smith, as he swoops and soars around the diverse material, backed by the effective voices of other band members.
  Spiritual themes are evident everywhere, from the obvious 'Heaven', to the shuffling 'Follow'. And to top it all, there's a couple of gentle and inspiring worship songs; 'Beautiful Son' and 'Kiss Your Feet' both delicately express this team's love for it's Saviour.
  Delirious? are a band in the process of change. They're not afraid to ask questions, yet they know they're grounded in truth. "Mezzamorphis" provides a wonderful opportunity to stop and reflect; a snapshot of where they're at. But they're already moving on. Can't wait to see the result of their continuing metamorphis.

Review by tom lennie

"Draw Me Up"

  The now familiar black/gold logo and border of this album advertises another output from South Carolina's MorningStar team. Though many musicians contribute, "Draw Me Up" is largely the work of Leonard Jones - he wrote all the songs, provides lead vocals and helped with the mixing and production work (we should probably also mention that he also plays guitar, violin, mandolin, sitar, uilleann pipes, penny whistle, keyboards throughout, as well as doing a few leg slaps for added effect!). And while Matthew Donovan is nowhere to be heard on this venture (unusual), we are treated to the guest appearance of guitar-maestro Lincoln Brewster.
  The opening track, 'Yahweh', is a powerful proclamation of the Lord's reign and a cry for Him to be seen as King throughout the world, while passion and intensity also rule on the demanding 'Teach Me How'. 'The Lord is our Defense' is a reflection of our security in God, unusual (to MS) in it's tenderness, as indeed is 'I want to get closer', with it's violin,
viola and cello accompaniment. Despite the controversy whipped up by the inclusion of the Beatles' 'I wanna hold your hand' on the 1997 "Glory" album, Mr. Jones, totally undaunted, uses the Lennon/McCartney music from 'Come Together' as a base for declaring the glory of Christ on track five. Not sure it works any better than it did first time round however. In fact a note of familiarity is apparent on this recording - the musicianship is both excellent and compelling and a sense of passion is very evident, but I don't find the songs as strong as on previous MS output, and there's little that's in any way new and innovative. Maybe it's because I've listened to so much MorningStar material and am always looking for something exciting or intriguing, but I would definitely recommend the 1999 "Generations" double CD project in preference to this, or one of the '96/97 'Heart of David' albums. These were revolutionary in the field of worship music. As for "Draw Me Up", well, it's just not my favourite I'm afraid.

Review by tom lennie

GENERATIONS
with Don Potter, Leonard Jones,
Matthew Donovan, and others
EagleStar Productions

This is the previous album (live double CD) released by MorningStar Music from North Carolina.  The songs are taken from the Heart of David Conferences.
Generations is without a doubt one of the best albums this worship ministry has put out.
The CD is composed of a variety of songs, from the MorningStar Kid’s music to the next generation, and on to the slightly older generation of praisers - thus the title for the CD Generations.  The majority of the songs are in the praise category, with many songs continuing on for a while as the Spirit led.  The first CD was our favorite.  It starts out with a great song titled A child has been born to us, then follows with another good one titled kyr-i-e, leading into song #3 Jesus Christ is Truth - what an uplifting magnificent song this is, and the current #3 song at this website - written by Don Potter.  Another Don Potter song (#4 Holy as I am - my overall favorite) on the second CD is also the #3 song - both of these songs will set you free as you listen.  Other favorites are:  Smashing Idols, Jeremiah 33, If the people, Are you ready, and je t’aime.

2 CD Set

$18.95
Counts as 1 CD for postage

Add to cart

Generations songs CD 1:
1. A child has been born to us(11:42)
2. Kyr-i-e (8:33)
3. Jesus Christ is Truth (15:00)
4. This town (6:48)
5. Smashing idols (8:17)
6. Jeremiah 33 (8:21)
7. If the people (8:17)

MorningStar website

Generations songs CD 2:
1. Lift Him higher (5:34)
2. Are you ready (5:33)
3. Jesus loves me/improv (8:06)
4. Holy as I am (7:35)
5. Je t’aime (7:52)
6. Jump (medley)
7. I gotta get closer (time 38:23)

"Generations”

  This double-album should carry a Government Health Warning; "Beware of high-voltage energy!". Indeed only those with experience of previous MorningStar output will have any idea of the power and intensity which emerge from this 'live' recording. It truly is worship as you've never heard it before. 'Wonderful', 'intriguing', 'outrageous', are all terms which interchangeably, and sometimes simultaneously, come to mind.
  MorningStar is a large charismatic Church and Ministry based in Charlotte, North Carolina, It is pastored by Rick Joyner, conference-speaker and author of numerous books on prophesy and the end-times. The church's music reflects it's teaching; radical, prophetic and challenging.
  "Generations" is the team's first double-album and features material from their "Worship and Warfare" Conferences 2 through to 5. It contains several 'generations' of praise music and shows an astonishing variety of musical styles. Included is a song from the children's ministry; an 8-min spontaneous instrumental featuring flute, percussion and harmonica; and 'Jeremiah 33', a stunning 'gospel' anthem from Suzy Wills and The MorningStar Fire Choir. Elsewhere, Leanord Jones performs a more intimate and reflective piece in his 'Je t'aime' love-song.
  Perhaps the most memorable tracks, and those most likely to be used in local-church worship are the Don Potter compositions; with simple but strong melodies, Don expresses powerful biblical truths in his own inimitable style.
  Most songs last much longer than the conventional 3-4 minutes, as the extremely proficient worship team continue in spontaneous and moving worship for some time. Overall the album contains 2 hrs and 20 mins of original music!
  This is a stunning recording, full of surprises and abounding in energy.

Review by tom lennie

''Surrender''

  A new millennium and a fresh release from Vineyard UK, their third in as many years. The innovation and energy of the first two resulted in high acclaim, and two of the most powerful worship albums I'd heard in a long while, so it was with eager anticipation that I tossed ''Surrender'' into the CD-drive, began listening to the opening track and browsed through the sleeve-notes.
  ''Surrender'' has several notable differences to it's predecessors. First, this is a studio album, so it loses that raw atmosphere and sense of immediacy so evident on the other two ventures, which were of course live outputs; while in their place is accorded more room for musical manoeuvre. Second, several worship musicians from ''Come Now...'' and ''Hungry'' have gone (Wendy O Connell, Michael Frye etc), while newer ones such as Nigel Briggs and Marc James are given prominence. Of course worship leader/producer Brian Doerksen doesn't appear on this project either, having returned to his homeland after two years as worship co-ordinator for Vineyard in the UK. His legacy lives on however; he helped train many of the young musicians who appear here, and he co-wrote two of the 11 songs included, all of which are spanking new save 'You are my King', a Doerksen oldie and Vineyard classic from 1991.
  The third and perhaps the most notably differentiating feature of ''Surrender'' is that it is essentially a worship album - driving praise anthems like 'Lord reign in me' and the title-track from ''Come Now'', and 'Your Name is Holy' and 'The Rhythm of Heaven' are nowhere to be found here, though a couple of tracks are fairly upbeat. The tone instead is
deliberately more gentle, more devotional, expressing a note of 'surrender'. Thus song-titles like 'With You', 'Devotion' and 'What a Child is Meant to be'.
  It does become clear that ''Surrender'' does not have the impact of either of it's fore-runners (though, unfortunately it's cover-design is equally unimpressive!). Nevertheless, the songs are all well-sung (about half led by female vocalists Sharon Heap or Kathryn Scott), the lyrics are thoughtful and the overall feel of the album is truly worshipful. Personally, I very much enjoyed listening and hope to see a Top Ten position.

Review by tom lennie

Hungry is the follow-up to the very successful first CD Come Now is the Time.  14 tracks of new songs from the UK.  Like the previous CD, this opens with two great songs, with the second song Your Name is Holy currently the #2 song on the Best Songs page.  Other favorites on this album are Hungry, Only You, Refuge in You, You are a holy God, and Breathe.  In stock at $15.95.  Songbook available for $15 postage paid.

"Come Now Is The Time" and "Hungry"

  These are the first two albums to be released by Vineyard UK, both being produced or co-produced by well-known Canadian worship leader Brian Doerksen. These offerings alone justify Brians' two-year stint in the UK. They are truly landmark recordings, bringing a fresh new sound to British worship.
  I simply couldn't believe the passion, the power, the raw emotion that oozed out of the speakers as these discs were played. In fact when jotting down these notes I literally had to turn the sound right down; these songs compellingly draw you right into the place of worship, and all else has to be laid aside!
  Worship leaders from Vineyard churches all around the UK and Ireland were brought together to take part in these times of live worship, including Michael Frye, Sharon Heap, Nigel Hemming and Kathryn Scott. Nearly all songs are new, utilizing a variety of styles from rip-roaring rock'n'praise numbers to deeply sensitive worship ballads.

  "Come Now Is The Time" opens with the title track, a 5-min 'introit', which calls the listener into the place of worship with a sense of urgency that remains throughout this one hour set. Next follows the equally compelling 'Lord Reign In Me', which, as performed here, is a truly stunning anthem. I love the passion, the openness, the vibrancy; again, all qualities that are evident everywhere on the album. 'A Place In the Hills' is a most unusual and atmospheric five verse Celtic hymn inspired by a walk in an Edinburgh park by the song's Scots-born writer. 'Holy Fire' is a deeply moving piece of spiritual yearning complete with flute accompaniment and a wonderful spontaneous interlude. Uniqueness and passion continue in 'The Lord is Gracious and Compassionate', an astonishing Psalms-based proclamation of God's goodness, most sensitively performed here by Wendy Whitehead. The great songs just keep flowing with the funky 'Beautiful God', the tender 'All Who are Thirsty', and the stilling 'God of Glory'. A softer Celtic mood is apparent in the closing 'O Jesus Mine',
providing a fitting finish to a totally excellent musical and spiritual journey..

  'Hungry' flows on with the same sense of immediacy as found on it's predecessor, rocking into action with the potent 'Hungry (Falling on my Knees)' and the blistering 'Your Name is Holy', songs that are likely to either cause you to kneel/lie forward in humble surrender, or knock you backwards with their sheer power! The third track 'Humble King' is not only my favourite on the album, but also one of the most beautiful songs I've ever encountered, composed and competently sung here by Brenton Brown, worship leader at Oxford Vineyard. I've been playing this track over and over again, never (so far!) tiring of it. The air of tender devotion found here is taken up again on 'Make Your Home in Me', 'Child of God' and 'Be the Centre'; a flow of three simple yet deeply poignant expressions of commitment to the Father.
  Brian Doerksen then swings in with his lively 'All Creation', followed by the equally infectious 'The Rhythm of Heaven'. 'You are a Holy God' is another stunning worship anthem, lifting high the Lord's name, while 'Breathe' is sensitive and quiet, and showing that the passion on this project exists to the very end.
  My only quirk with the two offerings (esp "Hungry") is the totally inartistic cover designs. Surely these creative pieces deserve better graphics! I solved this simply with "Hungry" by turning the CD booklet back to front, thus greatly enhancing the image.

  All in all, these are two outstanding contributions to the church, breathing new life also into Vineyard worship. How Vineyard UK intend to follow up these masterful works I simply cannot imagine.

Reviews by tom lennie

"Father's Song"

  It was said of his fourth studio album "Intimacy", but it can surely now be said afresh - this is Matt Redman's strongest solo album to date. Mind you, considering the wealth of names that appear on this venture, the term 'solo' is as much a misnomer here as it was in relation to it's predecessor! A couple of Delirious? members add their influence; Stuart Garrard on guitars and backing vocals on 1 or 2 tracks; Martin Smith doing some of the mixing work. SonicFlood features on 'Holy Moment', with it's stirring atmosphere and swirling synths. The London Community Gospel Choir and a ten-piece Vocal Group add zeal and the warmth of their vocal prowess to several songs, most notably 'You must increase' and 'Nothing is too much', the latter also being graced with a touch of flamenco guitar. And percussion-maestro Terl Bryant provides a share of the drum backing.
  "The Father's Song" has been one of the most awaited albums in worship music since Matt's "Intimacy" two years ago. With 13 tracks and one bonus, and a play-time of over an hour, this creative project will not disappoint. Nearly all songs are brand new (we did have a foretaste of the beautiful 'O Sacred King' and the infectious 'Thank You for the blood' on "Soul Survivor '99" and "The People's Album 2" respectively), and Scripture references for most lyrics are provided in the sleeve notes. As you'd expect, and with a musical style similar to "Intimacy", good musicianship and spiritual depth
permeate the recording. Matt is on top form as he leads us in real worship. He is not satisfied with merely singing songs, but in expressing his heart honestly to the Father, and offering Him his whole life. So whether it's gutsy upbeat tunes like the opening 'Take the world but give me Jesus' (deeply poignant title-line, based on a Fanny Crosby hymn) and the
guitar-driven 'Light of the world'; or whether it's intimate Redman classics like 'The Father's song', destined to become hugely popular (and perhaps, like 'The heart of worship', rather over-recorded) and the closing 'Let my words be few' (co-written with wife Beth Redman), this humble worshipper constantly seeks to point his listeners to the Lord. In the latter song and with beautiful simplicity, Matt shares;

  'You are God in heaven, And here I am on earth,
  So I'll let my words be few,
  Jesus, I am so in love with You, And I'll stand in awe of You,
  Yes, I'll stand in awe of You'

  Beautifully simple, simply beautiful. "The Father's Song" is another musical and worshipful triumph.