Heaven On My Mind
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TobyMac Heaven on My Mind is TobyMac’s ninth studio album, following 2022’s Life After Death, my favorite album of that year. It is another solid effort featuring twelve new songs,...
Hear the Hallelujahs Roar (Live) EP
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CityAlight The latest project from Australia’s CityAlight is a wonderful five-song EP Hear the Hallelujahs Roar. The songs are a nice balance of upbeat and more slower songs for congregational singing.
Curioso
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Wilder Woods Curioso is Bear Rinehart's (singer and songwriter with NEEDTOBREATHE) third solo release as Wilder Woods, and my favorite of the three. The album is fresh and energetic. Each repeated listening...
Strong Effort from TobyMac | Posted March-08-2025 Heaven on My Mind is TobyMac’s ninth studio album, following 2022’s Life After Death, my favorite album of that year. It is another solid effort featuring twelve new songs, five of which were released in advance of the full album on March 7. Toby co-wrote all of the songs and worked with a number of writers and producers. He was joined by guest artists Juan Winans and Terrian, and a choir providing backing vocals.
Heaven on My Mind features themes of loss and trusting God, and will certainly find its way onto my best albums of 2025. Here are a few comments about each song:
Heaven On My Mind – This song was written by TobyMac, Jordan Mohilowski, and Jess Cates, and produced by TobyMac and Mohilowski. This is an easygoing song with a good beat about looking forward to heaven. He has people waiting for him there, likely a reference to his son Truett, who died in 2020 and former band member Gabriel Patillo, who died in 2024.
Key lyric:
Life ain't bad down here, but I got Heaven on my mind, on my mind
Lord It Feels Good – This joyful song was written by TobyMac, Kyle Williams, and Benji Cowart, and produced by TobyMac, Williams and Micah Kuiper. The song is about being loved by God.
Key lyric:
I'm feelin' loved when the walls shake
Love when my heart breaks
In arms that are open wide (Wide, wide, wide)
I'm feelin' loved in the chaos
When I'm feelin' anxious
A river when my heart runs dry
Rearview – This song was written by TobyMac, Josiah Bell, Juan Winans, and Justin Gray (Christian), and produced by Bell and Winans. The song features Juan Winans. The song is about putting trouble in the rearview and features some excellent percussion.
Key lyric:
There's only One I can turn to
King of today and the King of my rearview
God Did It – This upbeat song was written by TobyMac, Jordan Mohilowski and Benji Cowart, and produced by TobyMac and Mohilowski. The song is about how God is working behind the scenes. We may not love His timing, but we still believe in the story He’s writing. The song features a joyful choir.
Key lyric:
Ain't nobody but God did it
There's no way around
Some things you can't explain away
Too good for me to doubt
a lil Church (nobody’s too lost) – This song was written by TobyMac, Benji Cowart and Kyle Williams, and produced by TobyMac and Williams. The song is about the fellowship of the local church. The song opens with a church organ and features a good beat and backing vocals.
Key lyric:
I could use a little church right now
Love to have a little family around
I've been feelin' so overwhelmed
I could use a little church right now.
Resist (Keep The Devil Away) – This hard driving song was written by TobyMac, Micah Kuiper, Bryan Fowler, and Terrian Woods, and features Terrian. The song features a choir and is inspired by James 4:7: “Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”
Key lyric:
Give me the feet to walk on water
Keep me from the deep (Oh-oh-oh-oh)
Give me the faith to move that mountain
Give me the eyes to see (Oh-oh-oh-oh)
Give me the lungs to shout Your praises
Give me a song to sing (Oh-oh-oh-oh)
Give me the feet to walk on water (Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh)
And keep the Devil away from me
Been Through It – This song was written by TobyMac, Jeff Pardo and Matthew West, and produced by TobyMac and Pardo. It is a prayer of thanksgiving. He has been through difficult times but somehow the Lord has been with him through it all.
Key lyric:
'Cause You've been through it
The blood, the Cross; Your life, You chose to lose it
A sacrifice that goes beyond the bruises and the scars
This old world can be so hard
Yeah, I've been through it
But I know You've with me through it all
Can't Stop Me – This song was written by TobyMac, Jordan Mohilowski and Benji Cowart, and produced by TobyMac, Mohilowski and Tommee Profitt. Doubts and fears can’t stop him from believing. Despite hardships, his faith remains strong. The song is hard hitting and features good backing vocals.
Key lyric:
The coldest of the seasons
That break my heart to pieces
Can't stop me from believin'
Nothin' Sweeter – This joyful song was written by TobyMac, Benji Cowart, and Jordan Mohilowski, and produced by TobyMac and Mohilowski. He has seen the view from the top of the world and the sorrow by the bitter graveside, but there isn’t anything sweeter than God’s love. The song features some excellent backing vocals.
Key lyric:
I've been uptown, I've been downtown
In the spotlight, I've been broken down
I've seen so much, might not know much
But there ain't nothin' sweeter than His love
Oh My Soul (Psalm 103) – This mid-tempo worship song was written by TobyMac, Bryan Fowler, Micah Kuiper and Shawn Newby and produced by TobyMac and Kuiper. The song features an excellent choir. Till his days are done he is going to bless the Lord’s name.
Key lyric:
Praise the Lord, my soul
And all that is within me
Bless His holy name
Campfire (That Very Love) – This song was written by TobyMac, Kyle Williams and Benji Cowart, and produced by TobyMac and Williams. This folk-oriented song is a plea for healing from cancer for his friend Gabriel Patillo.
Key lyric:
But even if that mountain doesn't move
God's already made a way for you.
Goodbye (For Gabe) – This song was written and produced by TobyMac and Jordan Mohilowski, and was written for Toby’s friend Gabriel Patillo, who he described as his “right-hand man on stage and in life.” The two of them had worked together and grown in their faith in God together for 25 years. Patillo died on April 12, 2024, after a battle with cancer.
5 New Songs for Congregational Singing | Posted March-01-2025
The latest project from Australia’s CityAlight is a wonderful five-song EP Hear the Hallelujahs Roar. The songs are a nice balance of upbeat and more slower songs for congregational singing.
Here are a few comments about each song:
Hear the Hallelujahs Roar – This upbeat song about worshipping the Lord in Heaven, was written by Niki Shepherd & Natasha Percy. The song features guitar, drums, bass, backing vocals, and keys.
Key lyric:
A song of praise is rising
From every tribe and tongue
O hear the hallelujahs roar
To Christ the worthy one
My Labour Is Not In Vain – This song was written by Jonny Robinson, Rich Thompson, Tiarne Tranter and Michael Farren. The song is about our work, and features guitar, keys, drums, bass, and backing vocals, and is based on 1 Corinthians 15:58 and 1 Corinthians 10:31.
Key lyric:
So may all I do, be it great or small
Bring glory to Your name
In Your grace alone I will car – ry on
Your promise to me remains
My labour is not in vain
We Too Have Overcome – This upbeat song was written by Jonny Robinson, Rich Thompson, and Ben Fielding. The song features guitar, bass, keys, drums and backing vocals. Christ has overcome the world (John 16:25-33) and those in Christ will as well.
Key lyric:
Yes the victory we need
Is the victory He won
So take heart, He has overcome
In Christ we have overcome
He Will Be – This song about Jesus being faithful, gracious and worthy, was written by James Ferguson and Jaywan Maxwell. It’s my favorite of the new songs. The song features guitar, keys, bass, drums and backing vocals.
Key lyric:
Worthy He has been, Worthy He will be
Crowned in endless praise all earth and heaven sing
Holy is the Lord who reigns in majesty
Worthy He has been, worthy He will be
All To Honour Jesus – This beautiful song was written by Sue Lack and Scott Lavender. The song about serving and loving like Jesus and telling others about Him, loving features guitar and backing vocals.
Wilder Woods Hits New Heights | Posted February-15-2025 Curioso is Bear Rinehart's (singer and songwriter with NEEDTOBREATHE) third solo release as Wilder Woods, and my favorite of the three. The album is fresh and energetic. Each repeated listening brings out new elements of each song. Rinehart’s strong vocals are excellent as usual, and I particularly liked the guitar, drums, and backing vocals on the album. The album features a mix of upbeat, mid-tempo and slower songs, all of them strong. I list my favorites below.
Rinehart wrote or co-wrote each of the ten songs. The album was produced by Jeremy Lutito. Curioso is sure to show up on my best albums of 2025.
Here are a few comments on each of the songs.
Swimming In The Ocean – This song was written by Bear Rinehart and Sam Westhoff. The song features a driving beat led by guitar and drums. He’s asking her to take a ride with him in his 1973 Camino. A highlight.
Key lyric:
We can ride it like a river
Going down our spines, holy ghost given shivers
Time On My Hands – This love song was written by Bear Rinehart, Trent Dabbs and Mokita, and features My Morning Jacket’s Jim James on vocals. The mid-tempo song features a bass line, keys, drums and backing vocals.
Key lyric:
Cause we got time on our hands
We got love that we can't deny
Oh, we got time on our hands
Slow it down, let the water just roll on by
Hide Anymore – This upbeat song was written by Bear Rinehart, Foy Vance and Konrad Snyder. The song features drum, bass, guitar, and is about him asking God not to hide anymore.
Key lyric:
The hope, the shame
The crown of thorns
The love, the pain, I felt it all
I know your name, I hear your calling
I really need you not to hide anymore
I really need ya
Offering – This mid-tempo love song was written by Bear Rinehart and Mokita, and features Anna Graves on vocals. The acoustic song - guitar, light drums, bass - features wonderful harmonies between Rinehart and Graves.
Key lyric:
Baby, I don't really know just where we're going
But I promise I'll never leave
I guess that'll have to be my offering
Love Last – This upbeat love song was written by Bear Rinehart, Trent Dabbs and Konrad Snyder. The song about fighting to make love last, features a driving beat led by keys, bass, guitar, drums, and backing vocals.
Key lyric:
Down on your knees, empty-handed
Pile full of bones on the canvas
Carried me home, wrapped a bandage and took the pain
Where Do We Go From Here – This song was written by Bear Rinehart. It starts with drums and distorted vocals. It is a driving song led by guitar, bass, backing vocals, and drums. It’s the most musically interesting song on the album.
Key lyric:
Love my place in the wild, but I keep the doors wide
Fall down every turn, but I hold the line
Devil In My Eyes – This rocker was written by Bear Rinehart, Trent Dabbs and Konrad Snyder. The song features a raucous vocal over guitar, bass, drums, and backing vocals. He’s got those angels on his shoulders and the devil in his eyes.
Key lyric:
Running ragged nearly all my life
Still I'm chasing something
That I should not find
Kind Of Magic – This mid-temp love song was written by Bear Rinehart and Trent Dabbs. The song features drums, synth, background vocals and guitar. He will love her to the end and after that.
Key lyric:
'Cause you are my favorite kind of magic
Don't know how it happened
Close my eyes and there you are
Descendants – This upbeat song was written by written Bear Rinehart, Trent Dabbs and Anderson East. The song is driven Rinehart’s strong vocal and keys, guitar, bass, drums and backing vocals. He hopes the world gets better for all your descendants.
Key lyric:
Shame, we got a lot of it
Pain, we paid the cost of it
Blame it on the currency, blame it on the crawl
Shine a little light into the nature of it all
Wild Fire – This love song was written by Bear Rinehart, Trent Dabbs and Anderson East, and features Maggie Rose on vocals. The song features piano, guitar, drums, and bass, and wonderful harmonies of Rinehart and Rose.
Powerful Album from Russ Taff | Posted February-01-2025
I have long been a fan of Russ Taff. The six-time Grammy-winner’s latest album is Cover Story. The album chronicles Taff’s life journey of recovery and redemption via strong performances of songs by Bob Dylan, U2, Simon and Garfunkel, Prince, and many more.
The album was produced by John Mark Painter, with Steve Taylor serving as executive producer. Matt Wallace mixed the album. Taff is supported by an all-star band of session superstars including Painter, guitarist Kenny Vaughan, keyboardists Blair Masters and Phil Madeira. I especially liked the use of horns and a gospel choir on the album.
Taff has been inducted into the Gospel Music Association’s Hall of Fame, three times – for his work as a solo artist, and as a member of both The Imperials and The Gaither Vocal Band.
Taylor and Painter challenged Taff to be vulnerable on the album. The result is that Taff’s voice sounds incredible on these songs. The production by Painter is excellent.
Here are a few comments about each song:
Tear This Building Down – This song was written by Blind Willie Johnson. Taff gives a strong vocal performance on this song, backed by guitar, backing vocals, and drums.
Key lyric:
If I had my way
If I had my way
I would tear this building down
People Are People – This song was written by Martin Gore and performed by Depeche Mode. The song features some excellent horns, backing vocals, bass, drums, and guitar.
Key lyric:
I can't understand
What makes a man
Hate another man
Help me understand
When Love Comes To Town – This song was written by Paul David Hewson, Adam Clayton, Larry Mullen, and Dave Evans, and performed by U2 and B.B. King. The song features drums, horns, backing vocals, guitar, and piano.
Key lyric:
I was there when they crucified my Lord
I held the scabbard when the soldier drew his sword
I threw the dice when they pierced his side
But I've seen love conquer the great divide
Demons – This song was written by Matt Berninger and Aaron Dessner, and performed by the National. The song features guitar, organ, backing vocals, and drums.
Key lyric:
I stay down with my demons
Ordinary World – This song was written by Simon Le Bon, and performed by Duran Duran. The song features guitar, drums, and an excellent gospel choir.
Key lyric:
But I won’t cry for yesterday, there’s an ordinary world
Somehow, I have to find
And as I try to make my way to the ordinary world
I will learn to survive
The Cross – This song was written by and performed by Prince. The song features upright bass, guitar, horns, a gospel choir, and drums.
Key lyric:
Black day, stormy night
No love, no hope in sight
Don't cry for He's coming
Don't die without knowing the cross
Grandma’s Hands – This song was written and performed by Bill Withers. The song features guitar, drums, organ, backing vocals, and horns.
Key lyric:
But I don't have Grandma anymore
When I get to heaven I'll look for
Grandma's hands
I Believe In You – This song was written and performed by Bob Dylan. The song features horns, guitar, a gospel choir, organ, and drums.
Key lyric:
I believe in you even through the tears and the laughter
I believe in you even though we be apart
I believe in you even on the morning after
Oh, when the dawn is nearing
Oh, when the night is disappearing
Oh, this feeling is still here in my heart
The Sound of Silence – This song was written by Paul Simon and performed by Simon and Garfunkel. The song features bass, guitar, horns, organ, and drums.
Key lyric:
And in the naked light I saw
Ten thousand people, maybe more
People talking without speaking
People hearing without listening
I Will – This song was written by written and performed by Andy Gullahorn. The song features guitar, percussion, and drums.
Key lyric:
The truth is
We're all gonna take a last breath
That's not the only sad death we are meant to fear
If you need a friend to do some dying with you
I will
All The Poor and Powerless – This song was written by David Leonard and Leslie Jordan, and performed by All Sons & Daughters. The song features, guitar, horns, an excellent gospel choir, drums, and organ.
Joyful Songs about the Gospel | Posted October-30-2024 I Love Jesus is Powell's second solo contemporary Christian music album after his 2021 album New Creation which was preceded by his three-decade career as the co-founder and frontman of four-time Grammy Award and twenty-four time Dove Award winning band Third Day. The new album, clocking in at just thirty-two minutes, features eleven new mostly upbeat three and four chord songs that celebrate the simple gospel message of what God has done in our lives.
The album has themes of God’s miracles, love for Jesus, God and Jesus being the giver of all good things, who Jesus died for, the Gospel, perseverance, praise, wanting to live like Jesus, God being nothing but good to us, Jesus rescuing us and working all things out for our good and His glory.
I really enjoyed this album. Each song is solid, so it’s hard to pick out favorites. Below are a few comments about each song:
Like It’s Nothing – This joyful song was written by Mac Powell, Jeff Pardo and Hank Bentley. It was produced by Pardo and Bentley. The song features guitar, hand claps, drums, bass and backing vocals. The song is about how Jesus can do anything “miracle after miracle”, like it’s nothing.
Key lyric:
There ain't nothing You can't do
With a wave of Your hand
Ain't no mountain You can't move
Like it's a grain of sand
God of wonder working
Always up to something
Miracle after miracle
You do it like it's nothing
I Love Jesus – This joyful song about love for Jesus features hand claps, guitar, bass, guitar, backing vocals and drums.
Key lyric:
If you know him like I do
Sing it with me now
I love Jesus
The Giver – This song features guitar, drums, organ, keys, bass, and backing vocals. It is about how Jesus is the giver of all good things.
Key lyric:
I’ve been found and forgiven
I’ve been washed in the water
I’ve been saved and delivered
By the giver of all good things
Who The Cross Is For – This encouraging midtempo song is about who Jesus died for. It features, keys, guitar, bass, and drums.
Key lyric:
You’re who the cross is for
The reason why He came
Heaven went to war
So you could speak His name
Good News – This joyful song about the good news of the Gospel features guitar, drums, backing vocals, and bass.
Key lyric:
Its gonna change your heart and mind
Whenever hope gets hard to find
You can stand upon the solid gospel truth
Keep On Keepin’ On – This upbeat song about perseverance features guitar, bass, backing vocals, and drums.
Key lyric:
Children we're gonna make it
To the promised land one day
Yeah the journey won't be easy
But the Lord will make a way
Go To My Grave – This joyful song of praise features keys, drums, guitar, bass, and backing vocals.
Key lyric:
I will go to my grave
Singing ‘bout my Jesus
And for all of my days
I’ll let the whole world know
Live Like Jesus – This song about wanting to live like Jesus for all our days, features keys, organ, guitar, bass, drums and backing vocals.
Key lyric:
I wanna live like Jesus
For all of my days
I wanna live like Jesus
Let love lead the way
Nothing But Good – This song of testimony about God being nothing but good to us features guitar, keys, drums, bass, organ, and backing vocals.
Key lyric:
Lord, You are so good and this is my testimony
Lord, You are so good, this is my song, this is my story
The 99 – This song inspired by Matthew 18:12, features keys, guitar, bass, drums, and backing vocals.
Key lyric:
There ain’t no one too far gone, oh Jesus I believe
‘Cause I know You left the 99 to come and rescue me
My Good Your Glory – This upbeat song inspired by Romans 8:28, features keys, guitar, bass, drums, and backing vocals.
Covers with Excellent Choral Arrangements | Posted September-18-2024 Modern Hymns is a collaborative effort of Shane and Shane and The Worship Initiative, along with Bryan Fowler and Semsen Music. This album includes covers of mostly Getty Music hymns with some wonderful choral arrangements.
I really enjoyed this new project of ten excellent songs performed and produced well. Here are a few comments about each song:
Come Unto Jesus – This song was written by Jordan Kauflin, Laura Story and Matt Merker, produced by Bryan Fowler, and features Shane and Shane. The song, which builds powerfully, features, guitar, bass, drums, keys, backing vocals, and choir.
Key lyric:
Come unto Jesus, come unto Jesus
Lay down your burdens, He is enough
Come unto Jesus, rest in His love
I Set My Hope on Jesus – This song was written by Keith Getty, Matt Boswell and Matt Papa, produced by Bryan Fowler, and features Dinah Wright. The song features piano, drums, bass, guitar, and choir.
Key lyric:
I set my hope on Jesus
My rock, my only trust
Who set His heart upon me first
I set my hope on Jesus
God of Every Grace – This song was written by Bryan Fowler, Keith Getty, Kristyn Getty and Matt Boswell, produced by Bryan Fowler, and features Fowler and Shane and Shane. The song features, guitar, keys, drums, bass, and choir.
Key lyric:
Now to the God of every grace
Who counts my tears, who holds my days
I sing through sorrows, sing with faith
O praise the God of every grace
Speak O Lord – This song was written by Keith Getty and Stuart Townend, produced by Bryan Fowler, and features Shane and Shane. The song, which builds powerfully, features keys, drums, bass, guitar, and choir.
Key lyric:
And by grace we'll stand on Your promises
And by faith we'll walk as You walk with us
Speak, O Lord, 'til Your church is built
And the earth is filled with Your glory
All Sufficient Merit – This song was written by Bethany Barnard, Bryan Fowler and Shane Barnard, produced by Fowler and Adam Westlake, and features Lucy Shea. The song, which builds powerfully, features guitar, keys, bass, drums, and choir.
Key lyric:
It is done, it is finished, no more debt I owe
Paid in full, all sufficient merit now my own
The Lord Almighty Reigns – This song was written by Keith Getty, Kristyn Getty, Matt Boswell and Matt Papa, produced by Bryan Fowler, and features Hayden Browning. The song features keys, drums, bass, guitar, and choir.
Key lyric:
Certain of that day
Christ we will proclaim
Oh, that more would share the prize
Salvation in His name
Rejoice – This song was written by Keith Getty, Kristyn Getty, Bryan Fowler, Ben Shive and Skye Peterson, produced by Bryan Fowler, and features Davy Flowers. The joyful song features keys, drums, bass, guitar, and choir.
Key lyric:
With each breath, he's given Christ the Lord
In these times we live in, we will praise the Lord
Throughout every season, I am sure
We have every reason to praise the Lord
I Am Not My Own – This song was written by Skye Peterson, Ben Shive, Bryan Fowler and Tom Anderson, produced by Fowler, and features Robbie Seay. The song features keys, drums, guitar, bass, and choir.
Key lyric:
I belong to the Lord, oh I am not my own
I belong to the Lord, I am not my own
I will honor Him for this I know
I belong to the Lord, I am not my own
All My Boast Is In Jesus – This song was written by Bryan Fowler, Keith Getty, Matt Boswell and Matt Papa, produced by Fowler, and features Josh Duncan. The song features drums, bass, guitar, and choir.
Key lyric:
All my boast is in Jesus
All my hope is His love
And I will glory forever
In what the cross has done
Remember Him – This beautiful song was written by David Belt and Shane Barnard, produced by Barnard and features Shane and Shane and Belt. The song features acoustic guitar, strings, piano, drums, and choir.
Songs for the Church | Posted September-18-2024
CityAlight is a ministry of St. Paul’s Castle Hill in Sydney, Australia. Their vision is to write songs with biblically rich lyrics and simple melodies for the Christian church to sing. Rise My Soul, their latest release, offers the church a collection of songs that lift our eyes right up onto God in a world that is calling us to look down in a million different inferior directions.
The new EP includes four new songs. Here are a few comments about each of the songs:
Rise My Soul, The Lord is Risen – This resurrection song was written by Jonny Robinson, Rich Thompson, Matt Boswell and Matt Papa. A version of the song was released earlier this year by Keith and Kristyn Getty, Matt Boswell and Matt Papa. The song features keys, bass, drums, guitar and backing vocals.
Key lyric:
Rise my soul the Lord is risen
Come behold the empty grave
The Battle and the Blessing – This song was written by Jonny Robinson, Rich Thompson, Nigel Hendroff and Matt Redman. The song features guitar, drums, keys, strings, bass, and backing vocals. Jesus paid our debt at the cross, fighting out fight.
Key lyric:
You stood and faced this world’s rejection
I stand, accepted by Your love
The Way, The Truth, and the Life – This song, based on John 14:6, was written by James Ferguson, Jaywan Maxwell and Ian Lewis. The song features piano, keys, drums, bass, guitar and backing vocals.
Key lyric:
I will run the race with hope and faith
No turning back He leads the way
On that final day with thanks and praise
I will run through Heaven’s gates
Welcome Home – This song, based on Matthew 25:23, was written by Jonny Robinson, Rich Thompson, and Sandra McCracken. The song features keys, guitar, bass, strings, and backing vocals.
11 Reimagined Classic Worship Songs | Posted July-17-2024
Shane and Shane (comprised of Shane Barnard and Shane Everett), follow up their 2020 album Vintage with Vintage Vol. 2, an inspirational collection of eleven classic worship songs reimagined with fresh arrangements. The album was produced by Shane Barnard. I was familiar with some of these songs, but not all of them. I thoroughly enjoyed this new collection. Here are a few comments about each song:
Creed – This song was written by Rich Mullins and David Strasser. In addition to Mullins’ version, Third Day did an excellent version of this song. This upbeat version features dulcimer, strings, piano, drums, bass, and guitar.
Key lyric:
And I believe what I believe
Is what makes me what I am
I did not make it, no it is making me
It is the very truth of God and not the invention of any man
Beautiful Scandalous Night – This beautiful song was written by Derald E. Daugherty and Steve Hindalong of the Choir. The song features acoustic guitar, dulcimer, cello, drums, and bass.
Key lyric:
At the wonderful tragic mysterious tree
On the beautiful scandalous night you and me
Were atoned by His blood
And forever washed white
On the beautiful scandalous night
In the Light – This song was written by Charlie Peacock and has previously been recorded by Peacock and DC Talk. This version features guitar, bass, banjo, piano, organ and drums.
Key lyric:
I wanna be in the light
As You are in the light
I wanna shine like the stars in the heavens
Oh Lord be my light
And be my salvation
All I want is to be in the light
Break Every Chain – This song was written by Will Reagan and has been recorded by Tasha Cobbs, among others. This version guitar, piano, and choir.
Key lyric:
There is power in the name of Jesus
There is power in the name of Jesus
There is power in the name of Jesus
To break every chain
Break every chain
Break every chain
Thy Word/Where Else Would I Go? - “Thy Word” was written by Amy Grant and Michael W. Smith, and recorded by Amy Grant. The song is based on Psalm 119:105. “Where Else Would I Go” was written by Shane Barnard. This version features drums, bass, dulcimer, piano, and strings.
Key lyric:
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet
And a light unto my path
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet
And a light unto my path
More Precious Than Silver/I Sing Praises – This song was written by Lynn DeShazo and Terry McAlmon. This version features guitar, piano, and strings.
Key lyric:
Lord You are
More precious than silver
Lord You are
More costly than gold
Grace Flows Down – This song was written by David Bell, Louie Giglio, and Rod Padgett and was recorded by Christy Nockles. This version features bass, guitar, mandolin, piano and strings.
Key lyric:
Amazing grace
How sweet the sound
Amazing love
Now flowing down
I Will Call Upon the Lord – This song was written by Michael L. O'Shields. I first heard the song on Petra’s 1989 album Petra Praise. This upbeat version features drums, bass, guitar, dulcimer, piano and choir.
Key lyric:
I will call upon the Lord
Who is worthy to be praised
So shall I be saved from my enemies
I will call upon the Lord
One Pure and Holy Passion – This song was written by Mark Altrogge, and has been recorded by a number of artists including Tasha Cobbs. This version features drums, bass, guitar, mandolin, piano, and strings.
Key lyric:
To know and follow hard after You
To grow as Your disciple
In Your truth
This world is empty pale and poor
Compared to knowing You my Lord
Lead me on and I will run after You
Thank You Lord – This song was written and recorded by Dennis Jernigan. This version features drums, bass, guitar, piano, organ, trumpet, and choir.
Key lyric:
Thank You for loving and setting me free
Thank You for giving
Your life just for me
How I thank You
Jesus I thank You
Gracefully thank You
Oh I thank You
It’s So Nice to Get to Know You – This song was written and recorded by Tim Sheppard. This version features guitar, piano and strings.
Redman Brings Freshness to Much Loved Songs | Posted July-01-2024 Coming Back to the Heart is Matt Redman’s twentieth album. It was recorded live at the Beverly Theater in Las Vegas, with stripped-back instrumentation in order to make room for the voices of local worship leaders and singers present.
On this album, Redman reimagines ten of the songs he has written or co-written over the past twenty-five years, with “Better is One Day” being the oldest. In addition to that song, other favorites included are “10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord)”, “Heart of Worship” and “Blessed Be Your Name”.
One of the things you will notice is how he creatively combines similarly themed songs as medleys. For example, he combines “Better is One Day” with “Facedown”, songs with the theme of God’s presence, and “Never Once” with “You Never Let God”, songs about the faithfulness of God.
The album also includes “Let Me See Jesus”, a new and previously unreleased song.
I’ve enjoyed Redman’s music for many years. I really appreciated the freshness he brought to these songs. The album will be enjoyed by those familiar with these songs and Redman and those just being introduced to his music.
Not Bad, but Not Great | Posted June-11-2024
Jon Foreman, the lead singer and songwriter of Switchfoot (long one of my favorite bands) follows 2021’s Departures with this twelve song solo album co-produced with James McAlister. Foreman says about the album “To stay present in the moment along the way. Like a wildflower, may these songs bring you beauty and joy as you travel along your journey.”
Themes on the album include looking back, relationships in transition, transformation, belief and doubt, and being set free. Of note, Foreman sings with Joy Oladokun, who identifies as a queer Black person on the title song.
There were a few songs that I liked on the album, but many of the songs ended up sounding similar. Here are a few comments about each song:
I Propose A Toast – This upbeat song was written by Jon Foreman. The song features acoustic guitar and has Foreman looking back at all the roads that brought them there. The song is a celebration of life’s journey.
Key lyric:
Here's to every failure tried
Here's to friends that cash can't buy
And bonds that won't be severed
Here's to love and here's to life
Here's to fighting side by side
Here's to us together
Where The Sidewalk Ends – This song about a relationship in transition was written by Jon Foreman. It features guitar, keys, bass and percussion.
Key lyric:
We've lived our whole life leading up to this moment
Ain't no maps where we’re going
We only know where we've been
Eulogy – This song was written by Jon Foreman. The song features acoustic guitar and Foreman’s daughter Daisy singing harmony. The song builds with the chorus. The song has him looking in his rearview mirror dreams. He is the mosaic of a shattered man.
Key lyric:
Every day I write the eulogy
For everything I used to be
I'm still aiming for a better me
In Bloom – This upbeat song about transformation was written by Jon Foreman and Tim Foreman and features Joy Oladokun, who identifies as a queer Black person. The song features acoustic guitar, drums and backing vocals.
Key lyric:
I see the chrysalis going through changes
But every transformation comes in phases
Antidote – This song, about feelings that won’t let him go, was written by Jon Foreman. The song features acoustic guitar, backing vocals, and synth.
Key lyric:
Is there an antidote
For the feelings that won't let me go?
Open arms and open roads
Won't you come and take me home?
Stay Wild, Wildflower – This song was written by Jon Foreman. It features acoustic guitar and backing vocals. The song is about a small-town girl with big dreams.
Key lyric:
Don't let them change who you are
Heaven Is Yours – This song, based on the beatitudes from the Sermon on the Mount, was written by Jon Foreman. The song features acoustic guitar, synth, and backing vocals.
Key lyric:
Where your treasure is where your heart goes
What does your heart want?
Lovers Are Believers – This song was written by Jon Foreman. The song is about belief and doubts features acoustic guitar, finger snaps, synth, and percussion.
Key lyric:
To say you don't believe in anything
Is to say that you trust your doubts
Cheap Wine (And Expensive Conversation) – This song about being set free was written by Jon Foreman, and features Abby Holliday. The song features acoustic guitar and background vocals.
Key lyric:
As long as it's your love that's binding me
Darling, I don't wanna be set free
Lover – This song about love was written by Jon Foreman. The song features acoustic guitar, guitar, and keys.
Key lyric:
Without love, I'm the soil without seed
Without love, I'm the ship without seas
Without love, I'm the ghost of the man that I wanna be
Lover, be patient with me
As. Simple. As. Us. – This love song was written by Jon Foreman. The song features synth, backing vocals, electrical guitar and acoustic guitar.
Key lyric:
Faith and doubt are different names
For these mysteries that I can't control
Sojourn (epilogue) – This short song was written by Jon Foreman. The song features Foreman singing over acoustic guitar and the laughter of children.
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