Here we'll bring you recommended CD's from tutors, students and other worship ministries from around the world.
In Honour by Chris Bowater
'One mans back catalogue is another mans new generation of songs...re-vision: turns looking back into looking forward.'
"I am really excited to be singing these songs that are part of my legacy, & trust they will find a place in your heart." (Chris Bowater)Reviewed by Rob Andrews for Cross Rhythms – 8/10
Chris Bowater is one of those people who you can't help but want to thank our heavenly Father for his gifting as worship leader and all round "Man of God".
These classics (including "Fill The Place" and "A Dreamer For Your Kingdom") have been given a new breath of life by contemporary arrangements devised by Howard Williams - I'm not sure all of them work. Chris's very distinctive MOR voice sometimes clashes with the modern, such as on "He Was Pierced".
But on others, such as "Light Of My Life" the blend is just perfect - with simple acoustic guitar and synth strings in the background. And I just love the lyrics - they speak of a true and deep love of the Father, and for what Jesus did for all of us. One for your collection of worship classics.
These classics (including "Fill The Place" and "A Dreamer For Your Kingdom") have been given a new breath of life by contemporary arrangements devised by Howard Williams - I'm not sure all of them work. Chris's very distinctive MOR voice sometimes clashes with the modern, such as on "He Was Pierced".
But on others, such as "Light Of My Life" the blend is just perfect - with simple acoustic guitar and synth strings in the background. And I just love the lyrics - they speak of a true and deep love of the Father, and for what Jesus did for all of us. One for your collection of worship classics.
--------------------
Personal Worship by Chris Bowater
Chris, a microphone and a beautiful Grand Piano - a completely stripped back, acoustic worship album that gently ministers to the soul! A great accompaniment to prayer and reflection.
Reviewed by Thérèse McGarry for Cross Rhythms - 9/10
This is a very quiet, relaxing and, just like the sleeve says, a very intimate album from the veteran Lincoln-based worship leader. The piano playing by Mr Bowater is second to none (and in some ways I think this could make a lovely instrumental album as well!).
That said the lyrics are simple and lucid, while the gentleness of the piano allows for the words to wash over you. An example of this is the beautiful "Soak Me In The River", which introduces some very light and gentle percussion in the background, over the chorus: "In these times of refreshing/Let your blessings fall on me/Increasing and releasing/Let your blessings fall on me."
Other highlights on the album include the opening "All That I Am" and the one that follows it "Teach Me How To Pray" - simple but elegant.
That said the lyrics are simple and lucid, while the gentleness of the piano allows for the words to wash over you. An example of this is the beautiful "Soak Me In The River", which introduces some very light and gentle percussion in the background, over the chorus: "In these times of refreshing/Let your blessings fall on me/Increasing and releasing/Let your blessings fall on me."
Other highlights on the album include the opening "All That I Am" and the one that follows it "Teach Me How To Pray" - simple but elegant.
--------------------
Crown of Beauty by Chris Bowater
An extremely highly regarded album of fresh songs from Chris, recorded in Nashville, US under the direction of Chris and acclaimed UK producer john Hartley.
Reviewed by Lins Honeyman for cross Rhythms - 8/10
This is a return to form for the seasoned worship leader whose influence over the years has touched so much of today's worship culture. The sleevenotes explain that, after a decade of mentoring other writers, a fresh season of writing was called for. And fresh is exactly what this collection is, with each track memorably standing out in its own right.
Most of the tracks here are penned by Bowater himself with a few covers thrown in for good measure (Stuart Townend's "Image Of Invisible God" and "Seems Like So Long Ago (Mercy Over Me)" by Robert Critchley for instance). Bowater's vocal delivery is extremely reminiscent of the late Roy Orbison's fragile strength and this adds to the quality of each song. During the more built up sections in some of the tracks, Bowater's vocals could have been more in the forefront but on the whole producer John Hartley has done a magnificent job.
It would be a tough task to select a standout song from 'Crown Of Beauty' - whether it be the powerful song of humility "Not To Us O Lord" or the tender "Your Word", the hymn-like "Teach Me How To Pray" or the haunting "O The Deep Deep Love" - so it would be best to accept this release for what it is: a beautiful collection of worship songs by a writer who has returned with one of his best ever offerings.
Most of the tracks here are penned by Bowater himself with a few covers thrown in for good measure (Stuart Townend's "Image Of Invisible God" and "Seems Like So Long Ago (Mercy Over Me)" by Robert Critchley for instance). Bowater's vocal delivery is extremely reminiscent of the late Roy Orbison's fragile strength and this adds to the quality of each song. During the more built up sections in some of the tracks, Bowater's vocals could have been more in the forefront but on the whole producer John Hartley has done a magnificent job.
It would be a tough task to select a standout song from 'Crown Of Beauty' - whether it be the powerful song of humility "Not To Us O Lord" or the tender "Your Word", the hymn-like "Teach Me How To Pray" or the haunting "O The Deep Deep Love" - so it would be best to accept this release for what it is: a beautiful collection of worship songs by a writer who has returned with one of his best ever offerings.
These albums and others from Chris are available at:
--------------------
Reviewed by Tony Cummings for Cross Rhythms - 9/10
Honesty by Angie Lendon
One Way by Andy Bromley
Available from Kingsway Music, One Way is the current album from Midlands - based Andy Bromley who is gathering great acclaim throughout the UK and abroad.
Reviewed by Tony Cummings for Cross Rhythms - 9/10
With the minimum of fuss Andy has slowly but surely established himself as a gifted crafter of congregational worship songs and an anointed enabler in helping people make the divine connection. As a regular treck of other British worship leaders have done before him, Andy has now gone off to Nashville to record an album which will hopefully elevate him to international status. Andy certainly deserves it - there are plenty of wonderful moments here.
The opener "Glorious Majesty" written by Andy with producer John Hartley and US praise singer Gary Sadler is an anthemic gem. "Clothed With Splendour" has some poetic imagery ("Clothed with splendour and majesty/You wear light like a robe/The heavens from your sheltering hand unfold") over a droning guitar figure from Gary Burnette, while Andy's version of "Holy God You Reign" penned by the hugely underrated Graeme Clark is a delight to the ear and a lift to the spirit.
An album with the songwriting craft and inventiveness in the pop rock arrangements to connect with church goers everywhere.
The opener "Glorious Majesty" written by Andy with producer John Hartley and US praise singer Gary Sadler is an anthemic gem. "Clothed With Splendour" has some poetic imagery ("Clothed with splendour and majesty/You wear light like a robe/The heavens from your sheltering hand unfold") over a droning guitar figure from Gary Burnette, while Andy's version of "Holy God You Reign" penned by the hugely underrated Graeme Clark is a delight to the ear and a lift to the spirit.
An album with the songwriting craft and inventiveness in the pop rock arrangements to connect with church goers everywhere.
--------------------
Honesty by Angie Lendon
This is the debut album of Angie Lendon, host and tutor with us on Worship Academy and Worship Leader at New Life Christian Centre, Hull UK. Honesty is available to buy from www.angielendon.com
Chris Bowater says:
"I love the passion & energy that Angie puts into her worship leading & writing. There is not a hint of striving but an overwhelming sense of devotion & love for Jesus. For those looking for great new songs excellently produced & presented, this album needs to be heard. There are songs here that deserve greater recognition - the truth is, they have already been acknowledged by her beloved Saviour. In a sense, that’s all that matters."
--------------------
Acoustic Communion by John De Jong
John is an incredibly giftes psalmist, musician and speaker. We have been blessed by John's ministry at Academy for many years and we are priveliged to endorse his work here.
Acoustic Communion is an album featuring ten of John’s unique acoustic guitar-based songs. Six previously unrecorded tracks include ‘Eye of the Storm’, ‘The Best for You’ and ‘Jacob’s Prayer’. It also includes the first English recording of ‘Riding the Storm’, as well as three songs often asked for but no longer available in the UK: ‘You Are There’, ‘Doing Time’, and ‘I Trust In You’ – this last one a remix of the version recorded on the Riding the Storm CD with English vocals.
Acoustic Communion is an album featuring ten of John’s unique acoustic guitar-based songs. Six previously unrecorded tracks include ‘Eye of the Storm’, ‘The Best for You’ and ‘Jacob’s Prayer’. It also includes the first English recording of ‘Riding the Storm’, as well as three songs often asked for but no longer available in the UK: ‘You Are There’, ‘Doing Time’, and ‘I Trust In You’ – this last one a remix of the version recorded on the Riding the Storm CD with English vocals.
This album highlights John’s acoustic guitar playing as well as featuring drum and percussion contributions from Terl Bryant and Gabriel Alonso.
Reviewed by John Hebden for Cross Rhythms - 7/10
This album is good news for worshippers who like their acoustic music to reach down into a deeper musical well. John is a great talent with a sweet, boyish voice (the sound of a much younger man, like Micah P Hinson in reverse), great guitar picking (Cockburn-ish at times) and wonderfully rich writing that is subtle and melodic with surprising little twists and turns. His sound is predominantly voice and acoustic guitar, with economical percussion (Terl Bryant and Gabriel Alonso) and keyboard. It's very mellow, but the strength of his melodies draws the listener in.
The album begins with two songs which explore the concept of God and storm, moves through a couple of interesting takes on Bible stories (Jacob's flight from Esau in "Jacob's Prayer" and Paul's miraculous escape from prison in "Just A Dream"), a playful blues which expresses compassion for the lost world ("The Best For You") and closes with a couple of reflective songs of worship.
John is involved in Angel Mountain Ministries, which sounds about right to me because "angels" and "mountains" fit well with the wonder and spiritual yearning of his music. The album features new recordings of old songs along with some new ones and makes a great introduction to an artist who deserves much wider recognition.
You can find more out about John at Angel Mountain Ministries - www.angelmountain.net
The album begins with two songs which explore the concept of God and storm, moves through a couple of interesting takes on Bible stories (Jacob's flight from Esau in "Jacob's Prayer" and Paul's miraculous escape from prison in "Just A Dream"), a playful blues which expresses compassion for the lost world ("The Best For You") and closes with a couple of reflective songs of worship.
John is involved in Angel Mountain Ministries, which sounds about right to me because "angels" and "mountains" fit well with the wonder and spiritual yearning of his music. The album features new recordings of old songs along with some new ones and makes a great introduction to an artist who deserves much wider recognition.
You can find more out about John at Angel Mountain Ministries - www.angelmountain.net
--------------------
Praises by Jack Ellis
Jack is an incredible man of God and is showing real potential with 'Praises' - his first recording. A three track EP, the highlight is certainly "The Lord Is My Rock" which has great potential in a wider church setting. Keep checking this page for further writing from Jack!
--------------------
Who Is Like Our God? from Aylesbury Vale
Community Church
Community Church
This CD is the second live recording from the team at Alesbury Vale CC. It is packed with songs that will inspire and deepen intimacy with Jesus and although the team have really taken on their own sound some of the songs can be compared to Vineyard which is no bad thing! The rousing opening track 'Sing To The Lord' is full of energy and enthusiasm whilst the song 'You Are My Refuge' featuring a beautiful vocal from Anna-Ruth Troke.
Particularly refreshing is the way the guys have mixed old hymns with the newly written fresh material. It works well. Production is smooth and flawless under the ever competent hand of Howard Williams and Dan Bowater. All in all this is a great CD that will have you dancing in your living room one minute and on your knees in worship the next!
Reviewed by Steve Norman for Cross Rhythms - 6/10
Described as "a fusion of songs new and old," 'Who Is Like Our God' is the second live worship CD from Aylesbury Vale Community Church. Featuring the vocals of worship Leader Ian Peters and his team, this is another well produced and well orchestrated offering in a market which is becoming well populated. Defined as a "fresh expression of worship," this project covers repeated ground in this highly competitive genre. Traditional contributions of "Stand Up (Ye Soldiers of The Cross)" and "What A Friend We Have In Jesus" merge alongside a rather eerie introduction to "Mystery". "Hear The Cry" stands out as a song that would be widely accepted across denominations.
Who is like our God is available from www.avcc.org.uk
Particularly refreshing is the way the guys have mixed old hymns with the newly written fresh material. It works well. Production is smooth and flawless under the ever competent hand of Howard Williams and Dan Bowater. All in all this is a great CD that will have you dancing in your living room one minute and on your knees in worship the next!
Reviewed by Steve Norman for Cross Rhythms - 6/10
Described as "a fusion of songs new and old," 'Who Is Like Our God' is the second live worship CD from Aylesbury Vale Community Church. Featuring the vocals of worship Leader Ian Peters and his team, this is another well produced and well orchestrated offering in a market which is becoming well populated. Defined as a "fresh expression of worship," this project covers repeated ground in this highly competitive genre. Traditional contributions of "Stand Up (Ye Soldiers of The Cross)" and "What A Friend We Have In Jesus" merge alongside a rather eerie introduction to "Mystery". "Hear The Cry" stands out as a song that would be widely accepted across denominations.
Who is like our God is available from www.avcc.org.uk