5 comments about Fernando Ortega.

1. This is my first Fernando Ortega album, and it's clear to me that I can't stop at one. His voice is so relaxed, yet so powerful. His arrangements are incredible. It is obvious that the song is what is important to him. He doesn't overemphasize any one element of the song, he takes a great melody and carefully blends in the instruments around it. I can't wait to hear his newest album. It's next on my list!!



2. I've never grown tired of listening to this CD. You can sense the sincerity in Fernando Ortega's voice. An artist blessed with talent, his music is rich and unique. Now I cannot honestly say this for every musician I enjoy listening to, however this CD, is all-around good music and so it can be enjoyed no matter what mood or in what company you're in, etc. Hope you enjoy it as much as I do.



3. Fernando Ortega shows his humorous side in some of his songs. He's a man of many talents.



4. This album is on of the finest Christian albums available. It represents rich new territory for Fernando Ortega without neglecting what he has done so well in the past. Ortega canvases the whole range of life experience from a well thought out Christian worldview that never degenerates into the drivel that marks so much of CCM.
   
   "California Town" is romance at its barest essence without sappy sentimentailty, but sentimental nonetheless in a good way. One will be suprised at "Dragonfly" and "When the Coyote Comes." The songs are hard to classify which is good. Each has a bit of a bluesy, gospel flavor and a country-pop twang to boot that will leave your toes tapping every time. They may be the best songs of the lot and certainly the funnest.
   
   The next three songs, "Sleepless Nights", "Shame" and "Noonday Devil" expresses a realist sort of spirituality that grapples with the difficulty of the Christian life. The songs do not wallow in self-pity, reductionistic ditties or the sort of psychobabble that passes for Christian reflection so pervasive today. "Sleepless Nights" calls the anxious heart to hide in Christ. "Shame" deals with the harsh reality of failing to meet false expectations that drives so much of our behavior. Shame from real guilt is good and leads to repentance. Shame from false guilt is crippling. "Noonday Devil" is a clever stab at mortifying the flesh and temptation. To do battle with sin, we must despise it with a holy hatred.
   
   "Mildred Madalyn Johnson" is a wonderful little song that seems so out of place in our self-absorbed culture. What I like about this song is the lost art of paying the homage and honor that our elderly citizens deserve. What a tribute to grandmothers so dearly loved. Switching gears, "All That Time" expresses the difficulty love must endure in relationships if it passes the test of time.
   
   Fernando Ortega is perhaps the best hymn revivalist of our day. No one has treated the hymns with such sensitivity and care for their treasures. "Rock of Ages" and "Immortal, Invisible" are no exceptions. As good a lyricists as Ortega is, I think he realizes that he cannot match the depth of orthodoxy and orthopraxy that the classic hymns have achieved. One must especially meditate on these two selections, saturating your mind with their truths almost with the same intensity and devotion one would to the Scripture itself. "Immortal, Invisible" is one of my favorite hymns. When I heard this rendition I was immediately enraptured with its beautiful yet haunting melody. I will never sing that hymn again without thinking of Fernando's wonderful adaptation.
   
   "Take Heart, My Friend" reveals more of the heart of Ortega's godly spirit. It is a salve for the soul of the fainthearted believer who wonders if he'll make it. He will - God promises to complete what He began, and He uses fellow believers as divine encouragers to the task.
   
   The album concludes with a final hymn, "More Love to Thee" written by Elizabeth Prentiss. Any Christian woman who has read her fictional diary of the struggle for womanly godliness, "Stepping Heavenward" will aprreciate this famous hymn she wrote as well. We thank you Fernando for reviving it.



5. As of this review, the CD "Fernando Ortega" is one of the more recent releases by the performer of the same name. The contents are a mix of Christian-themed songs and more general tunes. The style is more contemporary/mainstream sounding than some of his earlier releases, but retains Mr Ortega's distinctive style. From light-hearted tracks such as'California Town' to deep (and somewhat dark) selections such as 'Shame' or 'When the Coyote Comes'; this CD covers a wide range of feelings, emotions, and thoughts. The Christian-themed lyrics express a balanced view of the inner workings of the human soul, reflecting both the inspirational and the 'desperational', the certainties and the doubts.
   This CD is a treat for the ear and the mind.

3 comments about Home.

1. This was the first Fernando Ortega album I listened to. I kept playing it over and over. My wife and I have probably listened to it a hundred times. It is artistically, technically and spiritually the best Christian album I have ever heard. I later went out and bought four more of his albums, and they are all great, but I still go back to this one.



2. After seeing Fernando Ortega on Christian television, I went hunting for some of the songs I'd heard. As it turns out, I LOVE this CD, for meditation and contemplative time. Being a depressive sort, I go into my time, with the positive and uplifting "This Good Day", and am deep into sincere prayer, as I sing, with the CD, "Pass Me Not". By the time this CD is over, I'm relaxed, DE-stressed, and regrouped, ready to go on with whatever is to come. Therefore, if you're looking for something calming, soothing, and yet positive, this is the CD for you.



3. Home is better than Ortega's previous CDs, in that there are a few tracks with a faster beat and upbeat tune. His music tends toward the safer, "mild" worship sound that winds up putting you to sleep. This album, however, has some good stuff on it. "This Good Day", the first track, is a happy, upbeat song about thanking God for this good day, even if the day isn't that good after all. "Old Girl" is a milder, minor-key portrait of an old woman. The poetry is fine, for it paints pictures in your mind of the old, proud woman who nonetheless will pray for you. "On the Line" touched me, whether it is a combination of the lyrics or the melody, but I was surprised to find myself playing that track over and over. And then Virgina Rose is the Other Good Track. Upbeat with a strong country violin strain, I'm sure it will wind up on a Greatest Hits album sometime in the future. I consider the rest of the album "boring and tuneless", but then my tastes are inclined more toward Alternative.

   If you're looking for an Ortega album with some good stuff on it, varied by his usual "quiet" style, then consider this album in your shopping.

5 comments about Top 25 Praise Songs.

1. The 25 praise songs are ok. Since there are so many songs on the CD, the songs are very short... but the bonus/sampler CD that came with it is wonderful! I listen to that more than any other CD at this point in time.
   The bonus sampler by itself was worth the price.



2. Honestly, I love this CD! Almost every song is really, really good! Only a handful are average and the rest are GREAT! I have had the CD for sometime now and it's about all I listen to in my vehicle. I love singing along with it and the music makes you feel good! As I have told my wife, I plan to buy several of these 'Top 25 Praise Songs' CDs and give them to friends and relatives as gifts. It is that good!



3. This CD has some of the greatest praise and worship songs ever, but they are all just a little on the slow side, and I find myself wishing they were just a step up on the tempo. Most of the songs are not in my key, and I can't really sing along with this one very well, maybe that's my singing voice, not the cd, but just the same, I prefer the "Songs for Worship" CD's instead.



4. I bought this CD for my seven-year old's birthday. He has listened to secular rock with me for years, and I felt like we needed something else to listen to in the car, and I knew that both my kids liked praise songs from church. Wow! I also bought him a CD player at the same time, and I have been amazed how much he chooses to listen to these songs, over and over and over. We all sing to these songs, even my Pearl Jam-loving husband! I've never been one to listen to Christian rock, prefering either true gospel or secular rock. I love this music and the sound of my son singing to God. I may order another one just like it so that my twelve-year old will have his own.



5. This collection of the 25 best praise and worship songs is an amazing array of all your favorite songs. This gold selling album, the brain child of Holland Davis, presents such songs as Shout to The Lord, Lord i Lift Your Name On High, As The Deer and many others.

5 comments about A Morning Like This.

1. I bought this for my mom because her copy was so old that she couldn't listen to it anymore. She received it in the mail and has been listening to it nonstop! She is extremely pleased!! It's perfect ~ no scratches, no skips. Thank you!



2. I think this is the most beautiful CD of Sandi Patti. I want to have it for a long time. I was very surprised to find it on Amazon.com.



3. The product arrived very timely! It was in excellent condition! The price was very reasonable as it was coupled with another CD by the same artist as a combination sale item! There was no shipping charge as other items were ordered with this for a larger total order price! The CD is of a very high spiritual nature with very little repetition of lyrics with her voice being very smooth and melodic!



4. I love this CD. Sandi Patti has a great voice and does a wonderful job on this CD.



5. The music CD was all I expected it to be; however, it was necessary to play it at a very high volume setting since it could not be understood at a normal setting.

5 comments about Gospel.

1. I loved this CD and his new CD Michael English Greatest Hits is outstanding. My wife and I enjoy his music and have almost everyone of his CDs.



2. I WAS SO DISAPPOINTED WHEN I BOUGHT THIS CD. I WAS REALLY LOOKING FOR SOME OLD SOUTHERN GOSPEL SOUNDS - MICHAEL ENGLISH IS AN AWESOME SOUTHERN GOSPEL SINGER - BUT THESE SONGS HAVE ALL BEEN "REMIXED" AND MADE TO SOUND JAZZY. HIS VOICE IS GREAT, AND IF YOU LIKE THE SOUND, YOU MIGHT LIKE THE CD. BUT, DON'T BUY IT IF YOU'RE LOOKING FOR SOUTHERN GOSPEL.



3. Michael English does an outstanding job with every song on the CD. He truly has a God-given talent for singing and you can tell that he feels each song.



4. he sounds like he believes every word he is singing. the passion he sings with on this cd is the same that he has when he sings live(a must see). just listening to him sing, taught me that i can sing just as passionately and hit notes i couldn't. there are styles for everyone. "i surrender all" and "blessed assusrance" are personal favourites. an extremely basic, stripped down album that spotlights his love for God, and the wonderful songs that allow his voice to do that thing it does so well.



5. I find all Michael's music AWESOME. I wish that the sample music was a little bit longer than 30 seconds though.

5 comments about Holy Bible/Old Testament.

1. Thanks so much for bringing a bit of my childhood back to me. The CD was in perfect condition and was in my kitchen within 2 days of my purchase - thanks...........



2. First of all, I am biased. I love the Statler Brothers. I purchased this CD so I could share these great tunes with my husband, who had never heard them. We love them! They are cute and sung as only the STatlers can sing them! I think the biblical reference is correct as most of the Christian world views it.
   
   The cost was extremely high but you get what you pay for!



3. Two of my favorite things....The Holy Bible and The Statler Brothers! This CD is the product of the two coming together. What glorious stories and what glorious voices!



4. I bought this CD and had the same problem someone else said they had. The music on the CD was not the music that was suppose to be on it. The replacement CD had the exact same problem. Wait until Amazon posts a notice that the problem has been resolved before buying this.



5. I ordered this CD in OCT 2002 and it arrived with the wrong tracks (songs) on it. .... All the packaging and inserts were correct. If you are considering this CD you may want to wait a couple weeks to let them work out the quality issue and get a new supply in stock. FYI The CD sample clips sound great I will try again to get this one in a few weeks.
   Thanks!

5 comments about King of Fools.

1. To say this is a good album would be doing it an injustice. Delirious? have historically been a very consistent band and this album is no exception. The disc is filled with songs that explore the some of the questions & challenges we all face at some point (Deeper, Promise, King or Cripple), deep, passionate worship songs (What a Friend, All The Way, August 30th, King of Fools, Hands of Kindness, Sanctify), and some upbeat worship tracks (Revival Town, Louder than the Radio [not on UK version, remixed from Cutting Edge for the US vesion]). Worthy of mention are:
   
   White Ribbon Day: a U2-esque call for peace. Fits very well with the events of Sept 11, 2001, and the recent war in Afghanistan and Iraq. The electric guitars, while simple, are very, very effective.
   
   History Maker: No doubt one of Delirious?' best-known songs & needs no introduction at concerts. History Maker is a 6-minute rock anthem, with lyrics on the power of prayer ("Is it true today/That when people pray/We'll see dead men rise/And the blind set free") and being a 'History Maker', calling people to make a stand for the gospel. It was, in 2005, voted as Delirious?' Ultimate Song by fans on the website Delirious.org.uk
   
   All in all, King of Fools is a very well-rounded album that does not fail to disappoint. This was the first CCM album I ever bought after becoming a Christian, and it remains in my daily listening even now, almost 10 years later.



2. Delirious? is not a run-of-the-mill contemporary Christian band; they are more like a 90s alternative band -- when rock was at its best, in my opinion. The sounds are more slow and easy and low-key than a slam-in-your-face rock, though the songs definitely move with a rock beat. You can savor every word this way and really connect with the Lord in a meaningful way. I'm listening to the CD as I write this and my favorite songs are "Revival Town" and "History Maker" among others. Nothing they have done since this album even comes close to the powerful messages found here; in comparison, its latest CD "Now Is the Time" is like a plane that keeps taxiing on the runway and never lifts off. "King of Fools" is airborne!



3. If you like uplifting spiritual modern music,this is for you



4. Don't get me wrong - I LOVE Christian rock. In fact, my very first introduction to the genre was a 2 disk set from Delirious. Since then, however, I've also been introduced to Audio Adrenaline, Third Day and DC Talk - among others. While this particular CD is masterfully mixed and the guys are all masters of their instruments, it just lacks the driving force behind the message I've come to appreciate from others. (I often tease my wife - who tends towards the more mellow in music - that she needs to start a support group called, "Headbangers for Christ.")
   This is a decent album, (dating myself there), and the rhythmic backdrop of "August 30th" - while initially annoying to me - became strangely soothing and reassuring by the end. There is plenty of good to be said about this disc, but if you tend towards Third Day and AA, this one probably isn't for you.



5. I became a Christian because of music. The people who showed love to me helped, but it was the music, all-encompassing and powerful that made me feel like something important existed beyond myself. Delirious's music was a big part of that.

   King of Fools is centered around the complementary themes of doubt and faith, questioning God and redemption. One of the reasons I love this band so much is the fact that they aren't always "happy-clappy" like so many other other worship bands. Their songs are sincere, thoughtful, intelligent, and most of all, powerful. They address issues that anyone with a complex faith has struggled with, and found their faith stronger because of it.

   For example, take their single, Deeper, one of my favorite worship songs, and one of the first I learned. It's alternatively questioning, enthusiastic, humble and completely in love with God. From the honesty of "I want to be meeker/But have you seen this old earth? and "I want to go deeper/But is it just a stupid whim?" to "And the wonder of it all is that I'm living just to fall/More in love with you," this song encompasses so many of the emotions inherent in the contemplative Christian life. (Or at least in mine.) Plus, it rocks. Likewise, "White Ribbon Day" expresses many of the same fears, and is particuarly relevant today (although it was released in 1998). I certainly couldn't help but think of Bush's lack of doubt about God's support for the War in Iraq listening to the lyrics "How can it be that God is love?/When blood rolls down upon our land." In all, the song is an insistant call for peace and love, following Jesus's message of loving one's neighbor.

   As for music, anyone who thinks Christians are all uptight Republicans who can't rock hasn't listened to Delirious?. Beyond their punkish look, the band can rock with plenty of loud guitars and passionate singing. The music is generally straightforward rock, with a few lovely songs breaking the mold. For example, "What a Friend I've Found" starts as a sparcely arranged, prayer-like song and evolves into a gorgeous gospelly song backed by guitars.

   In addition to all this, Delirious? prove you can write a terrific worship song without using the words "Jesus," "Lord" or "God" (in fact, they have several). If you want a Christian band that is just a great band in general, listen to Delirious? They're my favorite Christian band, and one of my favorites overall. As for King of Fools, it's pretty amazing for a debut album.

5 comments about The New Young Messiah.

1. I saw this performed years ago and bought the CD and the VHS tape. I was actually looking for a DVD of the performance and found this CD rating. First, I love the Messiah in the original. It is the ONLY church cantata or music performance I have ever wept over. The Messiah is a very moving piece of work. When a friend asked me to go to the Young Messiah I was quite interested yet shocked after the interlude by the difference between the traditional and this work. While I would mention that there are two songs that I believe do not do justice to the original and are not well done, It would be notable to point out that the rest of the songs are done quite well. Anyone who is familiar with gospel artists Sandi Patti and Steve Green will find them both in this recording as well as other well-known artists. Mr. Green's song, Refiner's Fire, will move you as does Steven Curtis Chapman's rendition of Who Shall Stand. Nice CD.



2. Having sung Handel's original work and this one, I'm blessed to have found both to be in praise of the Messiah. For those who find any interpretation other than the composer's original sacriledge, I'd skip The Young Messiah. But for those of us who find beauty in music based in scripture, this should not disappoint. It's upbeat, moving and clearly still tells the greatest story ever told. My favorites were BeBe and CeCe Winan, Larnelle Harris, 4Him and Michael English. I will soon need a new CD. I play mine thoughout the year, not just at Christmas. Thanks to Ralph Carmichael for this wonderful and inspiring moment of music.



3. This family of classical musicians has never laughed so hard at a recording of the Messiah made in earnest. This is almost as funny as a good PDQ Bach album.
   
   The best track on the album is #3, "Every Valley" - it starts out with a fine string ensemble, easily fooling the listener into expecting a more traditional rendition of the song, but the instrumentation changes completely right as the singer makes his entrance. It's a great gag track to play for your friends from community choir!
   
   Now of course I can't let the producers get away THAT easily, so here is some real criticism for you:
   
   None of the singers have any of the vocal fortitude that Handel obviously had in mind when he wrote the Messiah. The keys have been changed fit the voices of whoever the producers felt should perform the song. It's even worse than listening to Andrea Bocelli...there's quite a bit of "going where no vowel has gone before".
   
   Rather than a tribute to the Messiah or even to the oratorio as an art form that can praise God, each track is a vanity piece for the "artist", as the booklet so kindly refers to the anemic singers (who are standing on the shoulders of giants, in the form of many talented studio musicians), made entirely independent in execution from the other tracks, with the original music exploited and made subservient to the cutting-edge, commercially-manufactured wall of sound characteristic to Christian Contemporary Music. At least they didn't have to write the lyrics or the melody...quite a time-saver.



4. I loved the original Young Messiah which was able to preserve much of the beauty of the original sacred work while updating it for the modern ear. This newest release renders a number of the pieces almost unrecognizable. The New Young Messiah is unfortunately a gilded lily. Most disappointing despite the awesome line-up of musicians!



5. Let's see. Take one of the greatest pieces of music ever written, and turn it into bubble-gum pop tripe? People need to learn how to appreciate good music, rather than dumb down great music and call it wonderful. If you want to write something new, feel free. Do it in the "spirit" of the Messiah, even. But don't destroy a great work of art just to sell CDS to an unsophisticated listening audience.

3 comments about Allegiance.

1. I find Ray Boltz's music to be very powerful and life-changing. He writes Gospel and Patriotic music. I get hooked on some of his songs.



2. Sometimes, when you're just clinging on, it helps to be reminded why. Ray Boltz is a master extraordinaire when it comes to speaking to our hearts and souls, strengthening the bond between our Lord and Savior, and ourselves. Always, I pledge allegiance to the Lamb, with all my strength, with all I am.



3. The only songs I like from this album are "I Pledge Allegiance to the Lamb" and "Anchor Holds". Awesome songs.

5 comments about The Jesus Record.

1. Genuine and truthful composition and lyrics! The arrangements are the best I ever heard among many christian cds! The first time when I started to hear the songs( remake with orchestral arrangement version not the Mullen's original recirding)tears started to flow out of controll for its ultimate beauty and spirit filled composition....
   Chuck girald's ( Especially his spirit filled recently released cd), Vineyard music and this cd, Andra Crouch's, Richard Smallwoods' are the truely the astounding cream of the crop of American's High level Gospel music.



2. Every song is great. What else can I say? What person is more important than Jesus? What topic is more important than the Cross?



3. I have loved every song I have ever heard Rich Mullins sing. Knowing that the demo cd was the last he ever recorded made it more poignant and worshipful than hearing the versions made in styles I don't believe Rich ever would have used. With the exception of some of the tracks sung by Rick Elias, the songs on the "remake" were a bit lacking.
   The writing of the original songs is excellent and goes to a depth not heard before from Rich's music. The first time I heard "Jesus" I cried at how powerful a song it is. "Hard to get" is an accurate description of the thoughts that go through one's mind when in a desert place.
   All in all the writing is beyond excellent, but the mixes miss the mark.



4. Was purchased for church use for one song but we have not listened to it yet.



5. Arrived in good condition in a timely manner. I really enjoy a couple of the songs. There some songs I'm not really fond of. I wish I had been able to buy just one CD. It came with two that are exactly the same, except that one is a demo CD.