Title: All to us
First Line: Precious Cornerstone
Artist: Chris Tomlin
Composer: Chris Tomlin, Matt Maher, Matt Redman & Jesse Reeves
Album: And if Our God is For Us...
Mp3: Yes
Sheet Music: Yes
Popular sources: SOF5
My thoughts: Happy Christmas! Leaving aside that I was surprised to see a posting on Christmas Day (well, OK, it is one they've posted before), I thought, hang about, it's that Mr Tomlin again. This is a good one, well structured and easy to listen to, and no angels or mangers in sight - I've always felt uncomfortable with such anyway.
It isn't one to get especially excited about though, but I can imagine it popping up in worship once in a while as it is a great one to drift along to...
This song is available on Kingsway from
today until 31st December inc. To access, you must logon; or register
with Kingsway, who in return will add you to their mailing list, but
they are not serial spammers.
Showing posts with label Kingsway. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Kingsway. Show all posts
Tuesday, 25 December 2012
Tuesday, 18 December 2012
Kingsway 18th December
Title: Waiting Here For You
First Line: If Faith can move the mountains
Artist: Martin Smith
Composer: Chris Tomlin, Martin Smith & Jesse Reeves
Album: God's Great Dance Floor - Movement One
Mp3: Yes
Sheet Music: Yes - melody line and chords only
Popular sources: SOF5
My thoughts: Rather peculiar that the sheet music is melody line only, but in fact the chorus is in SOF5....a Kingsway publication. And as far as I can make out OK on the CCL. Laying aside that little oddity...
I was wondering how these guys manage to produce such beautiful stuff and I was loving this one. Must dig it out...in SOF5...and give it a turn at some point, because just lately I've been more keen to try out stuff less than 5 years old, having caught up on the last 20 years that I've missed. It does, however, remind me of another worship chorus, which may be by Paul Baloche, but I can't quite nail the words in my head. Also, for me, the chorus eventually began to grate (I can simplify for my purposes) and may benefit from a stronger middle section.
This song is available on Kingsway from today until 24th December inc. To access, you must logon; or register with Kingsway, who in return will add you to their mailing list, but they are not serial spammers.
First Line: If Faith can move the mountains
Artist: Martin Smith
Composer: Chris Tomlin, Martin Smith & Jesse Reeves
Album: God's Great Dance Floor - Movement One
Mp3: Yes
Sheet Music: Yes - melody line and chords only
Popular sources: SOF5
My thoughts: Rather peculiar that the sheet music is melody line only, but in fact the chorus is in SOF5....a Kingsway publication. And as far as I can make out OK on the CCL. Laying aside that little oddity...
I was wondering how these guys manage to produce such beautiful stuff and I was loving this one. Must dig it out...in SOF5...and give it a turn at some point, because just lately I've been more keen to try out stuff less than 5 years old, having caught up on the last 20 years that I've missed. It does, however, remind me of another worship chorus, which may be by Paul Baloche, but I can't quite nail the words in my head. Also, for me, the chorus eventually began to grate (I can simplify for my purposes) and may benefit from a stronger middle section.
This song is available on Kingsway from today until 24th December inc. To access, you must logon; or register with Kingsway, who in return will add you to their mailing list, but they are not serial spammers.
Tuesday, 11 December 2012
Kingsway 11th December
Title: Your Name
First Line: As morning dawns and evening fades
Artist: Paul Baloche & Kathryn Scott
Composer: Paul Baloche & Glenn Packiam
Album: The Writer's Collection
Mp3: Yes
Sheet Music: Yes
Popular sources: SOF4
My thoughts: It's interesting that there is a pattern of late, in various churches I've been in and out of, the Name seems to be a recurring theme, the Name that is in everything, now and forever. The power of the Name. The strength of the Name. No co-incidence I think. Anyway, this offering of Baloche's is....OK. The words are terrific, but I'm not so sure about the tune, maybe I'm being a boring old Anglican again. Still, it makes a change to have something not too new for a change, reviewing the old (which Baloche is doing on this album) as well as celebrate the new. Choruses I believe can be revived and used in a new way and it may just bring on a new anointing.
This song is available on Kingsway from today until 17th December inc. To access, you must logon; or register with Kingsway, who in return will add you to their mailing list, but they are not serial spammers.
First Line: As morning dawns and evening fades
Artist: Paul Baloche & Kathryn Scott
Composer: Paul Baloche & Glenn Packiam
Album: The Writer's Collection
Mp3: Yes
Sheet Music: Yes
Popular sources: SOF4
My thoughts: It's interesting that there is a pattern of late, in various churches I've been in and out of, the Name seems to be a recurring theme, the Name that is in everything, now and forever. The power of the Name. The strength of the Name. No co-incidence I think. Anyway, this offering of Baloche's is....OK. The words are terrific, but I'm not so sure about the tune, maybe I'm being a boring old Anglican again. Still, it makes a change to have something not too new for a change, reviewing the old (which Baloche is doing on this album) as well as celebrate the new. Choruses I believe can be revived and used in a new way and it may just bring on a new anointing.
This song is available on Kingsway from today until 17th December inc. To access, you must logon; or register with Kingsway, who in return will add you to their mailing list, but they are not serial spammers.
Tuesday, 4 December 2012
Kingsway 4th December
Title: Mountaintop
First Line: The valley low, that's where we make our homes
Artist: The City Harmonic
Composer: Elias Dummer, Eric Fusilier, Aaron Powell & Josh Vanderlaan
Album: I Have a Dream (It Feels Like Home)
Mp3: Yes
Sheet Music: Yes
Popular sources: None
My thoughts: I like this lot, I love the title track of the album (Feels Like Home) which was one of the earliest tracks I downloaded from Kingsway back in October last year. They remind me a bit of Third Day, and if you liked them you will surely like these guys. This isn't the strongest chorus I've heard by them, it seems to lack the hook that Home has. It's also another one that Kingsway have offered before (back in February). All the same, this is a good reminder to buy their album or at the very least, add it to my wish list.
This song is available on Kingsway from today until 10th December inc. To access, you must logon; or register with Kingsway, who in return will add you to their mailing list, but they are not serial spammers.
First Line: The valley low, that's where we make our homes
Artist: The City Harmonic
Composer: Elias Dummer, Eric Fusilier, Aaron Powell & Josh Vanderlaan
Album: I Have a Dream (It Feels Like Home)
Mp3: Yes
Sheet Music: Yes
Popular sources: None
My thoughts: I like this lot, I love the title track of the album (Feels Like Home) which was one of the earliest tracks I downloaded from Kingsway back in October last year. They remind me a bit of Third Day, and if you liked them you will surely like these guys. This isn't the strongest chorus I've heard by them, it seems to lack the hook that Home has. It's also another one that Kingsway have offered before (back in February). All the same, this is a good reminder to buy their album or at the very least, add it to my wish list.
This song is available on Kingsway from today until 10th December inc. To access, you must logon; or register with Kingsway, who in return will add you to their mailing list, but they are not serial spammers.
Wednesday, 28 November 2012
Kingsway 27th November
Don't ask.
Title: The Light of the World
First Line: The Light of the world
Artist: fairly certain it's Kristyn Getty...
Composer: Stuart Townend and J.K Jamieson
Album: Creation Sings
Mp3: Yes
Sheet Music: Yes
Popular sources: None
My thoughts: What can I say? It's nearly Advent, so it must be time to dust off a Townend or two (cue heavenly choir - ahhhhhhh!) and this is typical fare, sounding all, um...'Celticky' - if I'm allowed to turn it into a verb. Yes, it's good, and yes I like it, but I'm not going to rush to transcribe it or type out a chord sheet. I was surprised that I couldn't find this on my CCL CD though, given it's (apparently) 3 years old already. Perhaps it's a demand thing.
Also starting this week, Kingsway are releasing 5 Christmas choruses/hymns and I'll get round to listening to them at some point. Townend and Getty's Joy Has Dawned and Brenton's Joyful Joyful I am familiar with (and are very good I hasten to add), not sure about the other 3 as I can't remember if I've heard them before or not.
This song is available on Kingsway from today until 3rd December inc. To access, you must logon; or register with Kingsway, who in return will add you to their mailing list, but they are not serial spammers.
Title: The Light of the World
First Line: The Light of the world
Artist: fairly certain it's Kristyn Getty...
Composer: Stuart Townend and J.K Jamieson
Album: Creation Sings
Mp3: Yes
Sheet Music: Yes
Popular sources: None
My thoughts: What can I say? It's nearly Advent, so it must be time to dust off a Townend or two (cue heavenly choir - ahhhhhhh!) and this is typical fare, sounding all, um...'Celticky' - if I'm allowed to turn it into a verb. Yes, it's good, and yes I like it, but I'm not going to rush to transcribe it or type out a chord sheet. I was surprised that I couldn't find this on my CCL CD though, given it's (apparently) 3 years old already. Perhaps it's a demand thing.
Also starting this week, Kingsway are releasing 5 Christmas choruses/hymns and I'll get round to listening to them at some point. Townend and Getty's Joy Has Dawned and Brenton's Joyful Joyful I am familiar with (and are very good I hasten to add), not sure about the other 3 as I can't remember if I've heard them before or not.
This song is available on Kingsway from today until 3rd December inc. To access, you must logon; or register with Kingsway, who in return will add you to their mailing list, but they are not serial spammers.
Tuesday, 20 November 2012
Kingsway 20th November
Title: Kingdom Come
First Line: Even when the waters rise
Artist: Soul Survivor
Composer: Beth Croft
Album: Kingdom Come
Mp3: Yes
Sheet Music: Yes
CCL: Probably. Eventually.
Popular sources: None
My thoughts: I was ready to be a teensy bit critical of this, maybe it's just the mood I'm in. I think to myself, it's all very well saying lets write music that speaks to the yoof because they will carry this on after us and quite right too, but what about that middle ground of the beentheredonethatgotthetshirt brigade such as me, middle aged, still thinking Matt Redman is hip and happ'nin? Having repented of that, and started to listen properly, I thought, this sounds too much like a track to be performed, rather than a chorus for a group to join in with. Then I started reading the words and realised, yet again, that this chorus is rather appropriate to my situation at the moment. I didn't weep, I just mused on how He does that a lot, because this means that I'll have to say that this one is quite good and rather special. No, I should be honest. I like it. I don't absolutely love it. It grew on me, it has a great hook anthem that will get anyone from 8 to 80 humming, and frankly, that's pretty OK for anyone.
This song is available on Kingsway from today until 26th November inc. To access, you must logon; or register with Kingsway, who in return will add you to their mailing list, but they are not serial spammers.
First Line: Even when the waters rise
Artist: Soul Survivor
Composer: Beth Croft
Album: Kingdom Come
Mp3: Yes
Sheet Music: Yes
CCL: Probably. Eventually.
Popular sources: None
My thoughts: I was ready to be a teensy bit critical of this, maybe it's just the mood I'm in. I think to myself, it's all very well saying lets write music that speaks to the yoof because they will carry this on after us and quite right too, but what about that middle ground of the beentheredonethatgotthetshirt brigade such as me, middle aged, still thinking Matt Redman is hip and happ'nin? Having repented of that, and started to listen properly, I thought, this sounds too much like a track to be performed, rather than a chorus for a group to join in with. Then I started reading the words and realised, yet again, that this chorus is rather appropriate to my situation at the moment. I didn't weep, I just mused on how He does that a lot, because this means that I'll have to say that this one is quite good and rather special. No, I should be honest. I like it. I don't absolutely love it. It grew on me, it has a great hook anthem that will get anyone from 8 to 80 humming, and frankly, that's pretty OK for anyone.
This song is available on Kingsway from today until 26th November inc. To access, you must logon; or register with Kingsway, who in return will add you to their mailing list, but they are not serial spammers.
Tuesday, 6 November 2012
Kingsway 6th November
Title: Breathe on me
First Line: Breathe on me, breath of God
Artist: Claire Hamilton
Composer: Claire Hamilton
Album: The version I have is on Mission Praise: Love Never Fails, also on Introducing Claire Hamilton
Mp3: Yes
Sheet Music: Yes
CCL: Yes
Popular sources: None
My thoughts: This is a beautiful song, a heartfelt, simple love song to God, that makes me ache just reading the words. Sometimes we don't need many words to sing praise to God (even Redman's I stand in awe of You is a bit wordy for the sentiment it's trying to express) and this is a wonderful example. It has shades of Peter Gabriel about it - the early one, fresh out of Genesis when he was singing things like Biko. Nothing wrong with that, and the ethereal quality it has. Maybe this one won't be used much in general worship, but I think it would be great for meditation times, or ministry, just playing quietly in the background and let the Spirit carry you away...
This song is available on Kingsway from today until 12th November inc. To access, you must logon; or register with Kingsway, who in return will add you to their mailing list, but they are not serial spammers.
First Line: Breathe on me, breath of God
Artist: Claire Hamilton
Composer: Claire Hamilton
Album: The version I have is on Mission Praise: Love Never Fails, also on Introducing Claire Hamilton
Mp3: Yes
Sheet Music: Yes
CCL: Yes
Popular sources: None
My thoughts: This is a beautiful song, a heartfelt, simple love song to God, that makes me ache just reading the words. Sometimes we don't need many words to sing praise to God (even Redman's I stand in awe of You is a bit wordy for the sentiment it's trying to express) and this is a wonderful example. It has shades of Peter Gabriel about it - the early one, fresh out of Genesis when he was singing things like Biko. Nothing wrong with that, and the ethereal quality it has. Maybe this one won't be used much in general worship, but I think it would be great for meditation times, or ministry, just playing quietly in the background and let the Spirit carry you away...
This song is available on Kingsway from today until 12th November inc. To access, you must logon; or register with Kingsway, who in return will add you to their mailing list, but they are not serial spammers.
Tuesday, 30 October 2012
Kingsway 30th October
Title: Great I Am
First Line: I want to be close
Artist: New Life Worship
Composer: Jared Anderson
Album: The Narrow Road
Mp3: Yes
Sheet Music: Yes
CCL: Yes
Popular sources: None
My thoughts: This was offered by Kingsway back in January (my gosh the year has flown). I'm afraid I don't have a lot to say about this one, other than...it's OK but not, in my opinion, great. I find it a little dreary rather than worshippy, but might appeal to the ministry times of the service, or perhaps I'm just being a boring old Anglican again. (New running joke with me.) Still, I haven't removed it from my mp3 player since January, so I've a) ignored it, b) can't bring myself to delete it, or c) something inside me is seeing some value in it. I hope it's the latter...
This song is available on Kingsway from today until 6th November inc. To access, you must logon; or register with Kingsway, who in return will add you to their mailing list, but they are not serial spammers.
First Line: I want to be close
Artist: New Life Worship
Composer: Jared Anderson
Album: The Narrow Road
Mp3: Yes
Sheet Music: Yes
CCL: Yes
Popular sources: None
My thoughts: This was offered by Kingsway back in January (my gosh the year has flown). I'm afraid I don't have a lot to say about this one, other than...it's OK but not, in my opinion, great. I find it a little dreary rather than worshippy, but might appeal to the ministry times of the service, or perhaps I'm just being a boring old Anglican again. (New running joke with me.) Still, I haven't removed it from my mp3 player since January, so I've a) ignored it, b) can't bring myself to delete it, or c) something inside me is seeing some value in it. I hope it's the latter...
This song is available on Kingsway from today until 6th November inc. To access, you must logon; or register with Kingsway, who in return will add you to their mailing list, but they are not serial spammers.
Tuesday, 23 October 2012
Kingsway 23rd October
Title: Trust You
First Line: Father of heavenly lights
Artist: Aaron Keyes
Composer: Aaron Keyes, Pat Barrett & Matt McMichael
Album: In the Living Room
Mp3: Yes
Sheet Music: Yes
CCL: No
Popular sources: None
My thoughts: My gosh, I love this one already. Maybe it's the oh so slow 6/8 time, maybe it's the "falling" melodic minor melody in the chorus, or the possibilities this one could offer in worship. When I was more into secular music, my tastes were questionable at best, absolutely awful at worst, so I could be horribly, horribly wrong when I say I think this one could be huge. I said a few weeks ago that every so often an artist will write something that has such tremendous WOW factor that it you can live on it for a while without them writing anything else. In my opinion, this is Aaron's banginbetweentheeyeballs hymn.
I'm not sure if the album is yet to be released, but the only indication of where it was from was on the mp3 tag.
A refreshing change that I have no criticism, not even a tiny one. Maybe God has removed that gene for a bit...
This song is available on Kingsway from today until 29th October inc. To access, you must logon; or register with Kingsway, who in return will add you to their mailing list, but they are not serial spammers.
First Line: Father of heavenly lights
Artist: Aaron Keyes
Composer: Aaron Keyes, Pat Barrett & Matt McMichael
Album: In the Living Room
Mp3: Yes
Sheet Music: Yes
CCL: No
Popular sources: None
My thoughts: My gosh, I love this one already. Maybe it's the oh so slow 6/8 time, maybe it's the "falling" melodic minor melody in the chorus, or the possibilities this one could offer in worship. When I was more into secular music, my tastes were questionable at best, absolutely awful at worst, so I could be horribly, horribly wrong when I say I think this one could be huge. I said a few weeks ago that every so often an artist will write something that has such tremendous WOW factor that it you can live on it for a while without them writing anything else. In my opinion, this is Aaron's banginbetweentheeyeballs hymn.
I'm not sure if the album is yet to be released, but the only indication of where it was from was on the mp3 tag.
A refreshing change that I have no criticism, not even a tiny one. Maybe God has removed that gene for a bit...
This song is available on Kingsway from today until 29th October inc. To access, you must logon; or register with Kingsway, who in return will add you to their mailing list, but they are not serial spammers.
Tuesday, 16 October 2012
Kingsway 16th October
Title: Overcome
First Line: Seated above, enthroned in the Father's love
Artist: Ross Parsley & the Desperation Band
Composer: Jon Egan
Album: Counting on God
Mp3: Yes
Sheet Music: Yes
CCL: Yes
Popular sources: None
My thoughts: To kick off the comments for this week: an absolutely delicious name for a worship leading group, where were they when we needed a laugh? Anyhow, this is your fairly typical "anthem" style worship, popular nowadays as it keeps congs of all shapes, sizes and ages happy - as they don't have to learn too much complicated melody. Meow. Yes, grudgingly, I have to say I quite enjoy anthem style when part of the cong, but I think I would find it mighty boring if I was leading it myself. Well, maybe I should try it and find out. Still, this had me singing along to the chorus at the end, and sounds pretty good (and this version is loud for some reason - over modulating on my lap top) so I will say, it ain't half bad.
This song is available on Kingsway from today until 22nd October inc. To access, you must logon; or register with Kingsway, who in return will add you to their mailing list, but they are not serial spammers.
First Line: Seated above, enthroned in the Father's love
Artist: Ross Parsley & the Desperation Band
Composer: Jon Egan
Album: Counting on God
Mp3: Yes
Sheet Music: Yes
CCL: Yes
Popular sources: None
My thoughts: To kick off the comments for this week: an absolutely delicious name for a worship leading group, where were they when we needed a laugh? Anyhow, this is your fairly typical "anthem" style worship, popular nowadays as it keeps congs of all shapes, sizes and ages happy - as they don't have to learn too much complicated melody. Meow. Yes, grudgingly, I have to say I quite enjoy anthem style when part of the cong, but I think I would find it mighty boring if I was leading it myself. Well, maybe I should try it and find out. Still, this had me singing along to the chorus at the end, and sounds pretty good (and this version is loud for some reason - over modulating on my lap top) so I will say, it ain't half bad.
This song is available on Kingsway from today until 22nd October inc. To access, you must logon; or register with Kingsway, who in return will add you to their mailing list, but they are not serial spammers.
Tuesday, 9 October 2012
Kingsway 9th October
Title: Holy Spirit Living Breath of God
First Line: Holy Spirit living breath of God
Artist: Kristyn Getty
Composer: Stuart Townend & Keith Getty
Album: Hymns For the Christian Life
Mp3: Yes
Sheet Music: Yes
CCL: Yes
Popular sources: SOF4
My thoughts: So it's the sainted Townend and Getty this week (cue loud heavenly choir). I have loads of respect for the pairing, as you've probably already gathered, and the stuff they have done together, and separately, are a staple of my repetoire - if you can call it that! You can feel a "but" coming on, can't you. Yes, you're right. But. There was a series of hymns written by them, I think it was the Creed series, of which this is one, which are competent, pleasant, easy to pick up, easy to sing and....all sounding suspiciously like In Christ Alone or at least in certain passages, or have the same word structure, and are just a bit hohum.
Before you burn me at the stake for heresy, can I just repeat I love most of what they've written, I just think in some areas they've tried too hard.
I have a copy of this from Everlasting God, one of the Kingsway special compilations. And after all the criticism above, I can say that this version, from the new Getty album, is the better. The producers have made Kristyn sound like a heavenly angel - all ethereal and soft, and of course she has a jealousy-inducing-really-good-voice. And yes, I do like this one to listen to. But to me it isn't special enough to use, other than maybe during ministry times.
This song is available on Kingsway from today until 15th October inc. To access, you must logon; or register with Kingsway, who in return will add you to their mailing list, but they are not serial spammers.
First Line: Holy Spirit living breath of God
Artist: Kristyn Getty
Composer: Stuart Townend & Keith Getty
Album: Hymns For the Christian Life
Mp3: Yes
Sheet Music: Yes
CCL: Yes
Popular sources: SOF4
My thoughts: So it's the sainted Townend and Getty this week (cue loud heavenly choir). I have loads of respect for the pairing, as you've probably already gathered, and the stuff they have done together, and separately, are a staple of my repetoire - if you can call it that! You can feel a "but" coming on, can't you. Yes, you're right. But. There was a series of hymns written by them, I think it was the Creed series, of which this is one, which are competent, pleasant, easy to pick up, easy to sing and....all sounding suspiciously like In Christ Alone or at least in certain passages, or have the same word structure, and are just a bit hohum.
Before you burn me at the stake for heresy, can I just repeat I love most of what they've written, I just think in some areas they've tried too hard.
I have a copy of this from Everlasting God, one of the Kingsway special compilations. And after all the criticism above, I can say that this version, from the new Getty album, is the better. The producers have made Kristyn sound like a heavenly angel - all ethereal and soft, and of course she has a jealousy-inducing-really-good-voice. And yes, I do like this one to listen to. But to me it isn't special enough to use, other than maybe during ministry times.
This song is available on Kingsway from today until 15th October inc. To access, you must logon; or register with Kingsway, who in return will add you to their mailing list, but they are not serial spammers.
Tuesday, 2 October 2012
Kingsway 2nd October
Title: God my Rock
First Line: When my heart is overwhelmed
Artist: Brenton Brown
Composer: Brenton Brown, Paul Baloche
Album: God my Rock
Mp3: Yes
Sheet Music: Yes
CCL: Too new
Popular sources: Too new...I think I can pretty much guarantee it will be in the next Kingsway publication though
My thoughts: To me, choruses and hymns fall into 4 broad categories; Praise, Worship, Praise Bridge (these include traditional hymns, they set the mood for the next half of the worship session) and Worship Bridge (set the mood for Worship and can be used to drift into the quiet time of the session). The most valuable choruses and hymns are those that are, or can be adapted to be, 2 or more of the categories. Brown and Baloche are an irresistable pairing, they haven't disappointed me yet, and this one not only is a very good Christian song, it is also both Praise Bridge and Worship Bridge, meaning it could go far - especially with me. You can keep it at one speed, or break it right down at the end, wow I can just imagine it. Itching to transcribe it already. I've even added the God my Rock album to my Kingsway wishlist.
Great to get excited about something for a change, and there is definitely something about this one. And a nice surprise - I thought it was going to be something from Bethel, but I didn't notice that Brown had a new one out also. Maybe next week? Or something from the Getty stable?
This song is available on Kingsway from today until 8th October inc. To access, you must logon; or register with Kingsway, who in return will add you to their mailing list, but they are not serial spammers.
First Line: When my heart is overwhelmed
Artist: Brenton Brown
Composer: Brenton Brown, Paul Baloche
Album: God my Rock
Mp3: Yes
Sheet Music: Yes
CCL: Too new
Popular sources: Too new...I think I can pretty much guarantee it will be in the next Kingsway publication though
My thoughts: To me, choruses and hymns fall into 4 broad categories; Praise, Worship, Praise Bridge (these include traditional hymns, they set the mood for the next half of the worship session) and Worship Bridge (set the mood for Worship and can be used to drift into the quiet time of the session). The most valuable choruses and hymns are those that are, or can be adapted to be, 2 or more of the categories. Brown and Baloche are an irresistable pairing, they haven't disappointed me yet, and this one not only is a very good Christian song, it is also both Praise Bridge and Worship Bridge, meaning it could go far - especially with me. You can keep it at one speed, or break it right down at the end, wow I can just imagine it. Itching to transcribe it already. I've even added the God my Rock album to my Kingsway wishlist.
Great to get excited about something for a change, and there is definitely something about this one. And a nice surprise - I thought it was going to be something from Bethel, but I didn't notice that Brown had a new one out also. Maybe next week? Or something from the Getty stable?
This song is available on Kingsway from today until 8th October inc. To access, you must logon; or register with Kingsway, who in return will add you to their mailing list, but they are not serial spammers.
Tuesday, 25 September 2012
Kingsway 25th September
Title: Bless the Lord O My Soul (10,000 reasons)
First Line: Bless the Lord O my soul
Artist: Newday Live 2011
Composer: Matt Redman, Jonas Myrin
Album: 10,000 Reasons
Mp3: Yes
Sheet Music: Yes
CCL: Yes
Popular sources: SOF5
My thoughts: Every so often an artist will release something that has such a huge "WOW" factor, you almost feel you should say to them - "Stop there for a bit. Ponder on what you've produced and come back in a year or so once you know it's really sunk in." - They often don't quit, and I sometimes wonder if it's to their detriment. After producing something spectacular, their output is often mediocre at best. Matt really has been up and down over the years, after releasing stuff that appealed to 90's yoof and older, and much of this has become standard Sunday fare in most charismatic churches, he went through a stage where a lot of his output was "hohum", then...this... Although I don't think this has the kerpow that "Father's Song" had, this is a return to the anointing we all know Matt has. I'm still unsure about that boom-boom-boom at the end of the third line in each verse (I think a drifting pause is best, Pink Floyd had one thing right at least - you don't necessarily have to have something occurring in a measure of music, silence is fine), and maybe the last verse does not have the same impact as the last verse of "Jesus! the name high over all" as is probably intended. Don't know what it is, but I might feel a little awkward leading this particular verse - maybe it's the average age of my cong! This song also has sentimental value for me - it was introduced into a N Wales group by a fellow foot soldier and I so hope that she comes back into action soon...
Kingsway have offered this before - a few months ago, but it was sheet music only. This time an mp3 has come with it - a fab Newday Live 2011 version and you can hear a wonderful peace descend upon the gathering whilst they are singing it. It really is a good version, so pick it up whilst you have the chance.
This song is available on Kingsway from today until 2nd October inc. To access, you must logon; or register with Kingsway, who in return will add you to their mailing list, but they are not serial spammers.
First Line: Bless the Lord O my soul
Artist: Newday Live 2011
Composer: Matt Redman, Jonas Myrin
Album: 10,000 Reasons
Mp3: Yes
Sheet Music: Yes
CCL: Yes
Popular sources: SOF5
My thoughts: Every so often an artist will release something that has such a huge "WOW" factor, you almost feel you should say to them - "Stop there for a bit. Ponder on what you've produced and come back in a year or so once you know it's really sunk in." - They often don't quit, and I sometimes wonder if it's to their detriment. After producing something spectacular, their output is often mediocre at best. Matt really has been up and down over the years, after releasing stuff that appealed to 90's yoof and older, and much of this has become standard Sunday fare in most charismatic churches, he went through a stage where a lot of his output was "hohum", then...this... Although I don't think this has the kerpow that "Father's Song" had, this is a return to the anointing we all know Matt has. I'm still unsure about that boom-boom-boom at the end of the third line in each verse (I think a drifting pause is best, Pink Floyd had one thing right at least - you don't necessarily have to have something occurring in a measure of music, silence is fine), and maybe the last verse does not have the same impact as the last verse of "Jesus! the name high over all" as is probably intended. Don't know what it is, but I might feel a little awkward leading this particular verse - maybe it's the average age of my cong! This song also has sentimental value for me - it was introduced into a N Wales group by a fellow foot soldier and I so hope that she comes back into action soon...
Kingsway have offered this before - a few months ago, but it was sheet music only. This time an mp3 has come with it - a fab Newday Live 2011 version and you can hear a wonderful peace descend upon the gathering whilst they are singing it. It really is a good version, so pick it up whilst you have the chance.
This song is available on Kingsway from today until 2nd October inc. To access, you must logon; or register with Kingsway, who in return will add you to their mailing list, but they are not serial spammers.
Tuesday, 18 September 2012
Kingsway 18th September
Title: Over All
First Line: Higher than all the heavens
Artist: Tom Read
Composer: Tom Read, Nick Herbert
Album: Compass
Mp3: Yes
Sheet Music: Yes
CCL: Too new
Popular sources: Too new
My thoughts: So a new one on me for a change, and a songwriter I hadn't heard of before now - to my shame I suspect if he's the Worship Central leader in Asia. I "read" the music first and then the Kingsway site went off sick for a bit (it's still a little peaky now) but I thought OK, lively one and looks a good future candidate for those times you want to get your cong a bit undignified. Just listened to it now I can access Kingsway and - hmm. He's got a good voice, and it is a good song, but I was finding the chorus just a little irritating. Maybe it's the format of the song which is very "80-fied" - don't get me wrong, love 80s music, but this actually sounds like one of those post 86 tracks when the best artists were running out of ideas and the new guys sounded plain awful. Tom I suspect has done a fair bit of this before, although this is his first UK release. I should try and get to hear snippets of the rest of the album before starting to judge really harshly - Kingsway are - quote - "more than a little excited" about the release of Compass, but I'm having difficulty. Perhaps I'm just a rebel.
This song is available on Kingsway from today until 24th September inc. To access, you must logon; or register with Kingsway, who in return will add you to their mailing list, but they are not serial spammers.
First Line: Higher than all the heavens
Artist: Tom Read
Composer: Tom Read, Nick Herbert
Album: Compass
Mp3: Yes
Sheet Music: Yes
CCL: Too new
Popular sources: Too new
My thoughts: So a new one on me for a change, and a songwriter I hadn't heard of before now - to my shame I suspect if he's the Worship Central leader in Asia. I "read" the music first and then the Kingsway site went off sick for a bit (it's still a little peaky now) but I thought OK, lively one and looks a good future candidate for those times you want to get your cong a bit undignified. Just listened to it now I can access Kingsway and - hmm. He's got a good voice, and it is a good song, but I was finding the chorus just a little irritating. Maybe it's the format of the song which is very "80-fied" - don't get me wrong, love 80s music, but this actually sounds like one of those post 86 tracks when the best artists were running out of ideas and the new guys sounded plain awful. Tom I suspect has done a fair bit of this before, although this is his first UK release. I should try and get to hear snippets of the rest of the album before starting to judge really harshly - Kingsway are - quote - "more than a little excited" about the release of Compass, but I'm having difficulty. Perhaps I'm just a rebel.
This song is available on Kingsway from today until 24th September inc. To access, you must logon; or register with Kingsway, who in return will add you to their mailing list, but they are not serial spammers.
Tuesday, 11 September 2012
Kingsway 11th September
Title: Rescuer
First Line: You're mighty and strong to save
Artist: Chris McClarney
Composer: Johnny and Cathy Parks, Nick Herbert
Album: Glimpses of Worship
Mp3: Yes
Sheet Music: Yes
CCL: Yes
Popular sources: Songs of Fellowship 5
My thoughts: The jury is still out with me on this one; I've had a copy of this for a while, but I'm not sure from where - albeit I think I have an original version rather than the live version that this is. It isn't one I want to try out in a hurry anyway, but it sounds like a good one for special worship times that aren't Sunday mornings. Maybe it will grow on me.
This song is available on Kingsway from today until 17th September inc. To access, you must logon; or register with Kingsway, who in return will add you to their mailing list, but they are not serial spammers.
First Line: You're mighty and strong to save
Artist: Chris McClarney
Composer: Johnny and Cathy Parks, Nick Herbert
Album: Glimpses of Worship
Mp3: Yes
Sheet Music: Yes
CCL: Yes
Popular sources: Songs of Fellowship 5
My thoughts: The jury is still out with me on this one; I've had a copy of this for a while, but I'm not sure from where - albeit I think I have an original version rather than the live version that this is. It isn't one I want to try out in a hurry anyway, but it sounds like a good one for special worship times that aren't Sunday mornings. Maybe it will grow on me.
This song is available on Kingsway from today until 17th September inc. To access, you must logon; or register with Kingsway, who in return will add you to their mailing list, but they are not serial spammers.
Tuesday, 4 September 2012
Kingsway 4th September
Title: Psalm 62
First Line: My soul finds rest in God alone
Artist: Aaron Keyes
Composer: Stuart Townend, Aaron Keyes
Album: Not Guilty Anymore
Mp3: Yes
Sheet Music: Yes
CCL: Yes
Popular sources: Songs of Fellowship 4, Source 4
My thoughts: Ah St. Stuart of Townend - who doesn't love this guy for what he's done for church music - a way of putting scripture so effortlessly into song, and also, if you've grown up CofE (like me) making it sound like you've known it since you were a kid. Only you can't have done because it's only a few years old. I've had a copy of this for a while, but I like seeing hymns like this on Kingsway once in a while. If you don't have a copy of this, here's your chance. Aaron is another singer/songwriter with a big future, still a whippersnapper on his 3rd album (I think). Worth a look is his profile on Kingsway also.
This song is available on Kingsway from today until 10th September inc. To access, you must logon; or register with Kingsway, who in return will add you to their mailing list, but they are not serial spammers.
First Line: My soul finds rest in God alone
Artist: Aaron Keyes
Composer: Stuart Townend, Aaron Keyes
Album: Not Guilty Anymore
Mp3: Yes
Sheet Music: Yes
CCL: Yes
Popular sources: Songs of Fellowship 4, Source 4
My thoughts: Ah St. Stuart of Townend - who doesn't love this guy for what he's done for church music - a way of putting scripture so effortlessly into song, and also, if you've grown up CofE (like me) making it sound like you've known it since you were a kid. Only you can't have done because it's only a few years old. I've had a copy of this for a while, but I like seeing hymns like this on Kingsway once in a while. If you don't have a copy of this, here's your chance. Aaron is another singer/songwriter with a big future, still a whippersnapper on his 3rd album (I think). Worth a look is his profile on Kingsway also.
This song is available on Kingsway from today until 10th September inc. To access, you must logon; or register with Kingsway, who in return will add you to their mailing list, but they are not serial spammers.
Tuesday, 21 August 2012
Kingsway 21st August
Title: We Still Believe
First Line: From the thankful heart to the battle scarred
Artist: Kathryn Scott
Composer: Kathryn Scott
Album: We Still Believe
Mp3: Yes
Sheet Music: Yes
CCL: Cannot confirm
Popular sources: None
My thoughts: I was a bit "hohum" about this one to start with - and then I started listening properly; the words are really appropriate to the way I'm feeling lately. Belief in itself is probably not enough when you can give more, but when you're feeling at your lowest, belief is enough because God's faithfulness can sustain us. The tune - honestly - is not overly special, but this doesn't really matter to me in this case. The perfection of strong words, strong tune doesn't happen that often, but if you get one of them right, make sure it's the former. Nice one, Kathryn, and I could be tempted to buy this album...
This song is available on Kingsway from today until 27th August inc. To access, you must logon; or register with Kingsway, who in return will add you to their mailing list, but they are not serial spammers.
First Line: From the thankful heart to the battle scarred
Artist: Kathryn Scott
Composer: Kathryn Scott
Album: We Still Believe
Mp3: Yes
Sheet Music: Yes
CCL: Cannot confirm
Popular sources: None
My thoughts: I was a bit "hohum" about this one to start with - and then I started listening properly; the words are really appropriate to the way I'm feeling lately. Belief in itself is probably not enough when you can give more, but when you're feeling at your lowest, belief is enough because God's faithfulness can sustain us. The tune - honestly - is not overly special, but this doesn't really matter to me in this case. The perfection of strong words, strong tune doesn't happen that often, but if you get one of them right, make sure it's the former. Nice one, Kathryn, and I could be tempted to buy this album...
This song is available on Kingsway from today until 27th August inc. To access, you must logon; or register with Kingsway, who in return will add you to their mailing list, but they are not serial spammers.
Tuesday, 14 August 2012
Kingsway 14th August
Title: White Flag
First Line: The battle rages on
Artist: Chris Tomlin
Composer: Chris Tomlin, Matt Redman, Matt Maher & Jason Ingram
Album: Passion: White Flag
Mp3: Yes
Sheet Music: Yes
CCL: This is very very new I'm not going to bother looking. Give it a couple of months, it will be there
Popular sources: Far too new yet, literally hot off the press..
My thoughts: As you probably know, I'm quite fond of "reading" the music first before listening to the mp3, and my initial thoughts were - great, an 83bpm so relatively slow, or at least a gentle sway. It is moderately gentle, but with the addition of drums and rocky guitars which sound more than a little influenced by U2, it's turned into...um...a fairly decent Christian yoof rock chorus. From the beginning, the Tomlin and Redman influence is obvious (Redman rarely goes up and down the musical scale like a demented yoyo, and Tomlin loves things to sway) Think of How Great is Our God and You Never Let Go, put them in a pot, put a few spices and extra herbs and veggies and out comes this. A good flavour, but like sweet chilli sauce, not really my flavour. Shame, because I like all these artists, but I can't see me buying this, nor playing it. I dislike the trend lately of repeating the same line over and over and over and over and over and over and over again. Call me a traditionalist (at best) or a pedant (at worst). Or someone that is maybe getting too old for this.
This song is available on Kingsway from today until 20th August inc. To access, you must logon; or register with Kingsway, who in return will add you to their mailing list, but they are not serial spammers.
First Line: The battle rages on
Artist: Chris Tomlin
Composer: Chris Tomlin, Matt Redman, Matt Maher & Jason Ingram
Album: Passion: White Flag
Mp3: Yes
Sheet Music: Yes
CCL: This is very very new I'm not going to bother looking. Give it a couple of months, it will be there
Popular sources: Far too new yet, literally hot off the press..
My thoughts: As you probably know, I'm quite fond of "reading" the music first before listening to the mp3, and my initial thoughts were - great, an 83bpm so relatively slow, or at least a gentle sway. It is moderately gentle, but with the addition of drums and rocky guitars which sound more than a little influenced by U2, it's turned into...um...a fairly decent Christian yoof rock chorus. From the beginning, the Tomlin and Redman influence is obvious (Redman rarely goes up and down the musical scale like a demented yoyo, and Tomlin loves things to sway) Think of How Great is Our God and You Never Let Go, put them in a pot, put a few spices and extra herbs and veggies and out comes this. A good flavour, but like sweet chilli sauce, not really my flavour. Shame, because I like all these artists, but I can't see me buying this, nor playing it. I dislike the trend lately of repeating the same line over and over and over and over and over and over and over again. Call me a traditionalist (at best) or a pedant (at worst). Or someone that is maybe getting too old for this.
This song is available on Kingsway from today until 20th August inc. To access, you must logon; or register with Kingsway, who in return will add you to their mailing list, but they are not serial spammers.
Tuesday, 7 August 2012
Kingsway 7th August
Title: Heaven is my Home
First Line: You gave me life in the hope of eternity
Artist: Mike Harvie/ALM
Composer: Mike Harvie
Album: I am Future
Mp3: Yes
Sheet Music: Yes
CCL:Yes, from CCL site
Popular sources: Too new yet
My thoughts: I'm getting wise to Kingsway's methods, before this was even posted I knew they were going to choose one from this new "yoof" ministry album, released in the last couple of days from the ALM stable. And - shame on me - I had already decided it probably wasn't going to be my thing - a bit too grungie with rock guitars and shouty voices and I prefer the quiet, meditative stuff. Well, yes, it is grungie, "yoofy" and shouty, but actually...I quite like it. In fact, when I first saw the words and the music I thought it was maybe a slower number, but no, it's a dance and wave your arms around job. The music is indeed marked as 145bpm, but I think this particular song is versatile and I could slow that right down to maybe 90bpm and see what it sounds like. Seriously. I do this a lot with choruses - speed them up and slow them down and sometimes they take on a whole new life. So, I thank ALM for a new project, albeit brief. And it is a mighty fine "anthemy" chorus with good words for the next generation of worshippers and all power to them. (Albeit it reminds me a bit of 50 Ways to Say Goodbye. I don't know if that's a good or bad thing!)
This song is available on Kingsway from today until 13th August inc. To access, you must logon; or register with Kingsway, who in return will add you to their mailing list, but they are not serial spammers.
First Line: You gave me life in the hope of eternity
Artist: Mike Harvie/ALM
Composer: Mike Harvie
Album: I am Future
Mp3: Yes
Sheet Music: Yes
CCL:Yes, from CCL site
Popular sources: Too new yet
My thoughts: I'm getting wise to Kingsway's methods, before this was even posted I knew they were going to choose one from this new "yoof" ministry album, released in the last couple of days from the ALM stable. And - shame on me - I had already decided it probably wasn't going to be my thing - a bit too grungie with rock guitars and shouty voices and I prefer the quiet, meditative stuff. Well, yes, it is grungie, "yoofy" and shouty, but actually...I quite like it. In fact, when I first saw the words and the music I thought it was maybe a slower number, but no, it's a dance and wave your arms around job. The music is indeed marked as 145bpm, but I think this particular song is versatile and I could slow that right down to maybe 90bpm and see what it sounds like. Seriously. I do this a lot with choruses - speed them up and slow them down and sometimes they take on a whole new life. So, I thank ALM for a new project, albeit brief. And it is a mighty fine "anthemy" chorus with good words for the next generation of worshippers and all power to them. (Albeit it reminds me a bit of 50 Ways to Say Goodbye. I don't know if that's a good or bad thing!)
This song is available on Kingsway from today until 13th August inc. To access, you must logon; or register with Kingsway, who in return will add you to their mailing list, but they are not serial spammers.
Thursday, 2 August 2012
Kingsway 31 July
Title: Together We Shout For Joy
First Line: How beautiful are the feet of those who
Artist: Elim Sound
Composer: Sam Blake, Stephen Gibson, Joel Pridmore & Ian Yates
Album: Sound of Hope
Mp3: Yes
Sheet Music: Yes
CCL: Unable to confirm (song is still too new, and software/websites likely not caught up!!)
Popular sources: None (See above)
My thoughts: Typical that when I say nothing's going to happen from Kingsway, they suddenly wake up....!....I have a copy of Elim's last offering - Fresh Mercy - which is very much acquired taste, more meditative worship than stuff you can produce in church. This track is very much for the congregation, easy to learn, well I was humming away before the end of the track, and it has an obligatory anthem "For the Lord reigns". It's good - but it is fairly typical stuff, and hasn't registered on the wow factor scale. It will sit on my mp3 player happily for sure, and I might even do a chord sheet from the music.
This song is available on Kingsway from today until 6th August inc. To access, you must logon; or register with Kingsway, who in return will add you to their mailing list, but they are not serial spammers.
First Line: How beautiful are the feet of those who
Artist: Elim Sound
Composer: Sam Blake, Stephen Gibson, Joel Pridmore & Ian Yates
Album: Sound of Hope
Mp3: Yes
Sheet Music: Yes
CCL: Unable to confirm (song is still too new, and software/websites likely not caught up!!)
Popular sources: None (See above)
My thoughts: Typical that when I say nothing's going to happen from Kingsway, they suddenly wake up....!....I have a copy of Elim's last offering - Fresh Mercy - which is very much acquired taste, more meditative worship than stuff you can produce in church. This track is very much for the congregation, easy to learn, well I was humming away before the end of the track, and it has an obligatory anthem "For the Lord reigns". It's good - but it is fairly typical stuff, and hasn't registered on the wow factor scale. It will sit on my mp3 player happily for sure, and I might even do a chord sheet from the music.
This song is available on Kingsway from today until 6th August inc. To access, you must logon; or register with Kingsway, who in return will add you to their mailing list, but they are not serial spammers.
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