Christian music legend Michael W. Smith remains uncontested after thirty-five years in the industry. "Smitty" has won nearly fifty Dove Awards and continues to sell a groundbreaking number of records with each release. The polished singer/songwriter isn't about to slow down now. Following the release of his critically-acclaimed album A Million Lights last week, Michael W. Smith now releases a live worship album titled Surrounded, recorded live at The Factory in Franklin, Tennessee.
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Organic Worship Hits and Originals| Posted February 23, 2018
Christian music legend Michael W. Smith remains uncontested after thirty-five years in the industry. "Smitty" has won nearly fifty Dove Awards and continues to sell a groundbreaking number of records with each release. The polished singer/songwriter isn't about to slow down now. Following the release of his critically-acclaimed album A Million Lights last week, Michael W. Smith now releases a live worship album titled Surrounded, recorded live at The Factory in Franklin, Tennessee.
Surrounded isn't unlike the living room sessions recorded live by Elevation Worship, United Pursuit and Housefires, in which a small live audience enhances the listening experience. For this album, Michael remakes a healthy number of well-known worship anthems such as "King of My Heart" and "Reckless Love," and he also introduces several worship songs of his own.
Light synthesizers open up Surrounded with "Your House," but they quickly give way to a cheerful, upbeat pop tempo and the audience's noticeable clapping. One of Michael's originals on the album, this opening track borrows most of its lyrics from the Psalms, speaking of rejoicing as we enter God's house with thanksgiving and praise.
The tempo slows down with the standout track "Light to You," another welcomed original. Very soft in its opening, Michael tenderly sings "My hope has found its resting place / and I'll search no more." It remains mostly acoustic throughout as Michael sings lyrics borrowed from Psalm 139: "It's hard to believe it, but You say it's true / Even the darkness is light to You." The audience participation blends in well with the light swing tempo and Scriptural lyrics, definitely creating one of the highlights on Surrounded.
The two opening originals are followed by a handful of today's most popular worship songs, beginning with John Mark McMillian's "King of My Heart." Michael's cover is not far off from the original version, containing heavy response from the audience during the influential bridge ("You're never gonna let, never gonna let me down") and catapulting from there. Soft with Michael's beautiful signature piano addition comes a nearly eight-minute cover of Cory Asbury's "Reckless Love," followed by Jenn Johnson's "Here I Bow." Both have a strong sing-along feel as Michael's vocals blend well with those of the audience, worshiping Jesus wholeheartedly.
Two songs declaring the miracle-working power of Jesus follow: Jesus Culture's "Miracles" and Elevation Worship's "Do It Again." While they remain close to the original versions, they both build strongly in their bridges, declaring the powerful message that what we've seen Jesus do before, we can know He'll do again.
The album's first single "Surrounded (Fight My Battles)" is another standout track on the album. Though it was originally a spontaneous moment by worship group Upper Room, Michael's rendition is the first official recording. Its simple chorus and bridge powerfully declare that we win our battles through praise and worship: "This is how I fight my battles/ It may look like I'm surrounded, but I'm surrounded by You." Listeners can easily feel the freedom in the air as the audience loudly proclaims the truth that God is fighting for us as we simply praise Him.
An organic version of Housefire's "Build My Life" follows nicely, flowing into the original song "Washed Away." Beautiful piano begins this congregational celebration of the blood of Jesus that has cleansed us from our guilt and shame. Its strong bridge is the hymn "Nothing But the Blood," which is sung in unity by all present at the live recording.
All Sons & Daughters' "Great Are You Lord" is the album's official closing track, but a soft reprise of "Light to You" closes Surrounded, leaving the listener with the powerful reminder that "even our darkness is light to You."
The Bottom Line: Surrounded is a live worship album much like what we've come to expect from Housefires or United Pursuit: living room-feel worship that listeners can sing along with in complete unity. This album is one to be enjoyed by Michael W Smith fans and modern worship fans alike for its excellent combination of today's worship hits with Michael's solid original tracks.
For Fans Of: United Pursuit, Housefires, Elevation Worship
Song to Download Now:
"Light to You" (Get it on iTunes here.)
Live Intimate Worship| Posted February 24, 2018
Michael W. Smith has been a leader in the Contemporary Christian Music industry since his debut album in 1983, about the entire length of my Christian life. In addition to his pop albums, the talented artist has released several live worship and Christmas albums, along with a few instrumental albums, two albums of hymns, and even wrote music for Steve Taylor’s The Second Chance, a film he starred in. His 2001 album Worship has sold in excess of 2 million copies and the 2002 Worship Again has sold in excess of 1 million copies. He has won three Grammy Awards and an incredible 45 Dove Awards. Now 60 years old, Smith shows he is not slowing down. Surrounded, his second album to be released this month, and twenty-fifth overall, is a live worship album recorded during an in-the-round performance November 2, 2017 at the Factory in Franklin, Tennessee.
Smith has said that the idea of doing another live worship project has been something he has been thinking about for a while. He feels God calling His Church together, every nation, every tribe, tongue, social class and denomination.
Like his other worship albums, the songs here are a mix of originals and covers. My only critique would have been for Smith to include more originals. If you have enjoyed Smith’s previous worship albums, you’ll enjoy this one as well.
Here are a few thoughts about each song on this excellent album. Your House – This song is written by Smith. It is an upbeat and joyful song that reminds me of a Chris Tomlin like sound - drums, guitar, piano, backing vocals. It’s an excellent start to the worship experience. Key lyric: We come into Your house with thanksgiving and praise all for Your name. Light to You – This song is written by Smith. The song starts slowly, picking up triumphantly in the bridge. To the farthest horizon, God is there, He’ll find me. Key lyric: Even the darkness is light to You. King of My Heart – This song is written by John Mark McMillan and Sarah McMillan, and has been covered by a number of artists such as Bethel Music and Kutless. The song builds powerfully. God is good and He will never let us down. Reckless Love – This song is written by Cory Asbury, Caleb Culver and Ran Jackson and has been covered by several artists. The song, about the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God, begins with piano and then slowly builds, running nearly nine minutes in length. Here I Bow – This song is written by Jason Ingram, Matt Redman, Jonas Myrin, Brian Johnson and Jenn Johnson. It begins with light guitar and then builds with piano and backing vocals. Key lyric: So here I bow, to lift You high, Jesus, be glorified in all things, for all my life. I am Yours, forever Yours. Miracles – This song is a cover of a Jesus Culture song, written by Stuart Garrard, Dustin Smith, Joshua Silverberg and Chris Quilala. The song starts slowly and then powerfully builds, running nearly nine minutes in length. It includes some lyrics sung in Spanish. Key lyric: I believe in You, You're the God of miracles. Do It Again – This is a cover of an Elevation Music song, written by Steven Furtick, Matt Redman, Mack Brown and Chris Brown. The song starts slowly and then builds powerfully in the bridge. God has never failed us. Key lyric: I've seen You move, You move the mountains, and I believe, I'll see You do it again. Surrounded (Fight My Battles) – This song is written by Elyssa Smith. It is simple lyrically, pretty much repeating the lines “This is how I fight my battles” and “It may look like I'm surrounded but I'm surrounded by You”. It is triumphant song, with the music and backing vocals building powerfully. Build My Life – This song is written by Pat Barrett, Matt Redman, Brett Younker, Kirby Kaple and Karl Martin and has been recorded by Christy Nockels. It begins with some effective percussion, and includes piano and backing vocals. Jesus is worthy and we live for Him. Key lyric: I will build my life upon Your love, it is a firm foundation. Washed Away – This song is written by Smith. This song begins with piano and builds powerfully with backing vocals about the joy that the believer has knowing that their sins washed away by the blood of Jesus. The song incorporates the classic hymn “Nothing But the Blood of Jesus”. Great Are You Lord – This song was written by Jason Ingram, David Leonard and Leslie Jordan and has been recorded by All Songs and Daughters and others. The song starts with piano and slowly builds. Key lyric: It's Your breath in our lungs So we pour out our praise. Light to You (Reprise) – The album closes with a reprise of the earlier “Light to You”. Key lyric: Even the darkness is light to you.
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