5 comments about Welcome to the City.

1. The Welcome to the city CD is powerful, uplifting, truly amazing. I listen this CD on my way to work and almost find myself ready to shout! LOL! We need more CD's like Welcome to the city that touch the heart, mind, body and soul. Congratulations to Bishop Jones and the city of refuge choir. Truly amazing...I look forward to your next album. God Bless....



2. Feeling down? This cd will definitely get you on your feet!!
   Start with "Jesus" and keep going!!!



3. This is a great cd from the first song until the last. You can feel the love flowing through the music. Each song is uplifting and inspiring. I would definitely encourage you to add this to your music collection.



4. The CD is awesome. The words to every song are true, because its not about us. We all want more of thee and less of me. Jesus is everything I need and more so just give me Jesus. I could go on and on but I'll let you see for yourself.



5. The CD is ok there's only 2 good songs on it that
   really moves me.

5 comments about Rose of Bethlehem.

1. The perfect Christmas music, but not just for Christmas. My personal favorite is how Selah weaves Hatikva into "O Come, O Come Emanuel" to create a year-round worship song (perfect for delivering a Messianic message). Worth every penny I paid.



2. I found this CD quite by accident. While surfing the net looking for 1980s-vintage popular singing artists, I came across the personal web site of Denise Matthews (of Vanity 6 fame). I found myself captivated by her personal triumph over alcohol, drugs and certain death, and her deathbed acceptance of Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior. And I found myself enthralled with the song that was playing on her site, "What Child Is This?" I fell in love with this special rendition, and since she is a noted singer herself, I emailed Ms Matthews asking to purchase this song from her. To my surprise, she emailed me back telling me of the CD, Rose of Bethlehem, by Selah. I ordered it and absolutely love it. There are so many wonderful arrangements on it. Of particular note is a beautiful arrangement of "Noel" which has a uniquely African sound. Purchase this CD if you are a lover of Christian music and you won't be disappointed.



3. I only needed to spend a couple more dollars to get free shipping with a book I was wanting to purchase so I decided to look for an inexpensive cd. I came across this cd. I never heard of the group before, but it's nice Christmas music if you're looking for something a little different.



4. What a great way to celebrate the Advent season... I love this CD and bought many to give to teachers and friends..there is a great mix of traditional and original music, and Selah has such a reverent, rich and unique sound..love it and highly recommend!



5. God has blessed this lovely group in their lives and with their songs, including the CD Rose of Bethlehem representing Jesus' light shinning by the way they worship GOd, as well as all their other CDs. It brings energetic,a calmness,a closeness feeling when Listening to Gods's team singing for him with by his grace and to all his children who which are blessed. Thank you God and Thank you Selah! I love all their music and praises!

5 comments about Redemption Songs.

1. I was a little slow to warm up to this CD, mainly because some of the centuries-old tunes that are showcased here have not ever done much for me on a personal or spiritual level. The more I listened, though, the more the songs began to grow on me. Jars of Clay did a masterful job of taking old hymns that once seemed dry and a bit stodgy, and updated the musical style to breathe new cultural relevance into them for the 21st century Christian. These theologically rich lyrics are reset to more modern music styles ranging from rock to blues to Beatles-like harmonizing. My lukewarm attitude toward this CD has changed so much in recent months that I have purchased the songbook also, and am now incorporating a number of these songs into my music sets when I lead worship during church or small group meetings. Give it a try. I think you will not be disappointed.



2. Each and every song on this CD is amazing. It surely blessed me. I love the song I'll Fly away. I am thankful this band truly walks with God and blesses us with their music!



3. I had been away from Jars music for a while, but a friend had this CD and I really loved the songs on it. So I had to get it for myself. Lots of great uplifting, upbeat songs to listen to!



4. There is something I just love about new versions of old hymns. The one I bought this CD for is "I'll Fly Away." There are several other songs I would have bought the CD for if I had heard them before I bought it. Jars of Clay has an interesting take on some of the songs, which you may find contrived or may find to give new insight. I listen to this CD over and over.



5. I wanted this CD to be some of the old hymns sung with all the verses in the original tune, but it wasn't.
   There were too few "Old" Redemption Songs, and odd music, with most the song being the chorus repeated..
   over...and over...and over...
   I only hear one of the songs on the radio.... just not what I was thinking it would be .....

5 comments about Alabaster Box.

1. I had this CD when it was first release and misplaced it....I had to get another one! This CD is inspirational and dear to my spirit. I love CECE Winans, because she knows the true meaning of worshiping God in spirit and in truth. I will be sure to hold on to this CD and continue to recommend it to others.



2. The CD sounds great, arrived in excellent condition, and in a timely manner. I can't complain.



3. This was a beautiful album...My mom bought it by mistake...and I fell in love with the ministry that God gave Mrs. Winans....Fill My Cup....was a beautiful intro.... I lift it up Lord" ... a psalm unto God... "King of Kings" was the single of 1999...as soon as the beat dropped...you'll begin to rock...and groove in the spirit.. "It Wasn't Easy"...is an Easter song to remember....she really sang and spoke from the prospective of God.... "Alabaster Box"....was simply heart touching...she sang as if she were the woman in the Bible who knelt at the feet of Jesus... I believe I first heard this song while someone did interpetive dance to it... and I got the message...."OMG"..... "Comforter" is a quiet jam...."Love of my heart" reminds you of an Erika Badu selection....the melody kept ringing in my head... " I know this song from somewhere else" ...then I got was watching Brown Sugar...I think.....and Whop...there it was.......nice spin though....."He's not on his knees yet"....wondering plea....perfectly expressed..... "One and the Same" was great...especially to hear Take 6 with BGVs.......this album was a petition to God...prayers and psalms and spiritual songs....great message...one of my first Gospel CDs.....



4. Cece has done it again. Besides "Alone In His Presence", this is my favorite!!!!! Don't get me wrong, I love ALL of my christian, anointed sister's CDs. It is obvious that Cece has a personal relationship with GOD. Her gift magnifies HIS presence; and I have been blessed on many occasions by listening to here music. I LOVE Cece!!!!! She never fails to lift my spirit. To everyone who has not purchased this CD, do!!!!! CECE, THANK YOU FOR YOUR GIFT, BUT MOSTLY FOR PRAISING OUR ALMIGHTY GOD!!!!! MAY YOU CONTINUE TO USE THIS WONDERFUL INSTRUMENT TO UPLIFT SPIRITS AND HONOR THE FATHER!!!!!



5. I purchased this album in 1999, I love the message through out this album. I love every song. CeCe sings with Confliction and Reflection. I cry when I first listened to this album. My Personal Favorite is Alabaster Box. I also give all these songs a Five Star Rating. Every song is ties into each other getting you to feel the mood CeCe was expressing. She is clearly devoted and proud to proclaim her Love for her God and Lord.I would encourage anyone who is looking for album to get them into the Praise & Worship or who is a new christian to purchase this album this will get you into the prescence of God and the Lord.
   1. Fill My Cup 5 Star
   2. King of Kings (He's a Wonder) 5 Star
   3. It Wasn't Easy 5 star
   4. Alabaster Box 5 Star
   5. Comforter 5 Star
   6. Love of My Heart 5 Star
   7. Without Love 5 Star
   8. He's Not on His Knees Yet 5 Star
   9. One and the Same 5 Star
   10. Higher Place of Praise 5 Star
   11. Blessed, Broken & Given 5 Star
   12. King of Kings (He's a Wonder) (Reprise) 5 Star
   
   Please I encourage everyone to buy this album. It is in a Class of it's own.

5 comments about Songs.

1. Absolutely beautiful. I had lost another Rich Mullins CD and purchased this as a replacement. Simply, absolutely beautiful.



2. Rich Mullins was one of those rare birds, the type of Christian who's vision was incorruptible by the makings of man-made religion and the tasty, salted morsels of idealistic micowavable faith. He was resolute, not on the things many pious church mice of our day are, but on the idea that grace has never abandoned us, that it is a very real and passionate force in this world and that God has not quit on humanity or on us as individuals. To the contrary, Mullins' words echo out from the canyons of heaven: that the faith is larger than our modest grasp of it, and that the glory of Christ transcends past the church pews where comfortable ho-hum believers find themselves rationalizing their own bored view of the cross and heaven.
   
   Mullins hits us with the weeping testimony of a man in longing for his final home in heaven, of a free-liver who transcendentally takes in the glory of God through nature in the fields of Kansas, of a wavering Christian on the verge of free-falling from the cliffs of life as he pleads, "Hold me Jesus, because I'm shaking like a leaf. You have been my King of Glory, now be my Prince of Peace."
   
   Mullins was, in a way, our "through the looking glass" tell-it-like-it-is poet who enabled us to think outside the realm of what we've been so boringly taught by a myriad of smug Sunday school teachers and political believers with a self-created agenda to push. Mullins words on this album radiate a calming lesson: life is to live and the faith is more than something to merely talk about. It is something to weep over, test, relish in, and, if it comes to it, bleed yourself dry for.
   
   There will likely be others who help us to think more clearly on the reality of the greatness of the One, but there will never be one who was so poignant in the way he made us meditate on the immense, always-abounding beauty of a Creator who adores us more than any lover could hope to dream. Here, you will find a poet who spares us the cheap clichés and hits our eardrums with the radiant truth of the Everlasting.



3. The songs on this album are wonderful, uplifting praises! This was actually my second purchase because I wore the first one out! Teens enjoy singing several of these songs, too, especially Screen Door!



4. This is a great collection of praise music, Rich Mullins was very good at making music. I'm very happy with my purchase.



5. This CD collection certainly doesn't need my endorsement, there's 76 reviews already, all of which are a 5, and there will be 100's more if our Lord tarries much longer. It's just that Rich Mullins is my all time favorite and it just seems fitting that I throw my review in the pot.
   
   This collection of some of Rich Mullin's best is sure to become one of your favorites if it isn't already. The depth of the lyrics hits everyone at some point in their life, and will minister at a level that is surely God-inspired. The songs will grow on you the more you listen, and the more you listen, the more you will hear the truths of the complexities of simple life. He is the musical Norman Rockwell of the nineties...he captures meaning in what is often passed over as mundane and shows it to us with new eyes. I often wondered why God chose to take him home so soon, but after reading some of the reviews written, I understand how it added even more distinction to what he wrote. And if I really think about all he wrote about, he was really looking forward to meeting his Lord-(so maybe it was God's way of rewarding a job well-done).
   
   If a song doesn't 'catch' you at first, try listening (in the car alone seems to work the best) to it several times in a row. You'll be amazed how it will speak to your life. I still hear things in his lyrics, so you can listen to them over and over and never tire of them.
   
   If you listen to Christian Music at all, this is a classic that will outlive secular greats like Elvis and the Beatles. (Did I say that?) It's worth it's weight in gold.

5 comments about Kingdom of Comfort.

1. I was sad to learn that one of my favorite alternative rock worship bands Delirious? announced shortly after releasing the amazing Kingdom of Comfort, that they were taking a break from music to spend more time with family and work on other projects. From 1997's debut Cutting Edge until now, Delirious? has consistently delivered that genuine Brit-Rock sound blended with unashamed preaching of the Gospel and is truly the original Christian version of U2, Radiohead and Coldplay and you can hear all 3 British influences on this amazing (last?) album, which is top 10 of 2008 in my opinion.
   
   From the opening notes of the title track Kingdom of Comfort, I knew I was in for a musical journey with challenging lyrics. This album listens like 2 mini-albums in my opinion. The first five songs including the excellent single Love Will Find A Way and ending with Eagle Rider all have that alt. rock style and then the album becomes more of a praise and worship album starting with my favorite song We Give You Praise paired with the amazing worship song How Sweet The Name which I can imagine singing in church soon like former classics Majesty (Here I Am), My Glorious and I Could Sing Of Your Love Forever. The album builds from there to the powerful closing song My Soul Sings and the excellent radio mix of We Give You Praise.
   
   This well may be the landmark album of the legendary career of one of the most influential bands in Christian music!



2. UK Christian Rock band Delirious? are my favourite Gospel act, well until dc Talk come back (and that looks like it will be a loooong time!).
   
   "Kingdom of comfort" finds their edgy U2/Radiohead sound amped up to the max; highly melodic rockers with enough sonic flourishes to give them individuality.
   
   The opening title track opens deceptively downbeat and acoustic before kicking into high gear, with lyrics requesting salvation from the trappings of worldliness. The cheery "God is smiling" sounds very much like what Coldplay would do, highly melodic with driving guitars.
   
   Lyrically, they tackle weighty topics on some songs; The upbeat "Stare the monster down" talks about a bout with cancer ("Eighteen weeks of chemo/Six doses of hell/A family bucket of pills a day/To make my father well"), while the sombre and atmospheric ballad "All God's children" was inspired by meeting prostitutes and their children during a visit to India.
   
   The gently pulsing and chiming U2-esque "Love will find a way" is truly beautiful with lovely harmonies. The tender piano ballad "We give you praise" is a song of praise and worship to God. It starts off gentle, building to an exultant climax. "How sweet the name" is an almost hymnal piano ballad with a rocky coda featuring distorted vocals. The ballad "My soul sings" (laden with electronic flourishes) closes the CD in a worshipful choir mood.
   
   My absolute favourite song is "Eagle rider", a simply awesome faintly Latin tinged Rocker with jangly guitars and metaphorical imagery about a flight on the wings of the Holy Spirit. Truly awesome!
   
   It's always interesting to see Delirious? constantly pushing themselves outside of their comfort zone, lyrically and musically.



3. This latest release from Delirious is excellent---what I've come to expect from them. Soul-searching lyrics and a good mix of fast and slower songs. Faith is front and center, but not cheesy.



4. Let me first state that Delirious is my favorite band (with David Crowder Band coming in a close second). So I had very LARGE expectations with this album and I can proudly say that this is my favorite album of 2008 so far (even better than Coldplay's "Viva La Vida" and Leeland's "The Opposite Way"). Delirious brings their signature sounds with Kingdom of Comfort (great guitar sounds, passionate vocals, and thumping bass and rhythm). And in my opinion, this is their BEST album to date. The D-Boys bring songs that are both catchy, thought-provoking, and action oriented. It is an album where the music and the lyrics are at the top of their game.
   
   My favorite songs are: God is Smiling, Love Will Find A Way, We Give You Praise, Kingdom Of Comfort, Wonder, and How Sweet The Name...although I could probably add Break The Silence and Give What You Got to that list, too. And that shows you how many great songs are on this one disc.
   
   I just saw Delirious live the other night (in Virginia) and they were amazing. It was almost two hours worth of song after song after song that was amazing. What a bunch of talented individuals who had a smile on their face the whole night. And it says a lot that when it was over, I could think of at least a dozen songs that they DID NOT play that I wished they had. That's how great they are. Buy this CD IMMEDIATELY and you will not be disappointed. These guys are still putting out quality music that gets better and better each disc (whereas some groups seem to be on the decline).



5. This is wonderful!! Great, inspired lyrics and really good music...such a good follow up to their last release :)

5 comments about V2... The J Moss Project.

1. Awesome display of Gospel telent. Every song moves you and every theme is relevant to our walk with Christ. Just a great listen.



2. I am yet to receive this product or the other that I purchase through you company. I could not find a way to contact your company concerning this issue other than here. If you could send me a contact number to issue a request for a refund, contact me @ (903)253-5245 at your earliest convenience. Thank you...



3. This CD is off the chain,... AMAZING vocals, the runs just give me chills. He is a very down-to-earth person with a wonderful gift of music from the Lord. His transparency in sharing of himself in his music is very unique,.. very hip hop friendly and at the same time there are songs for the simple, gospel folks. 73 degrees gives me chills - a gospel jazz accompaniment that is phenomenal. Know Him with the fantastic Karen Clark-Sheard,... whew they just blow at the end. My goodness! Dance with Kirk Franklin,... all the songs to get you moving in body and spirit. This is a MUST HAVE if you are into contemporary gospel that speaks to the real life situations.



4. I seen some previous reviews, and all I can say is all that matters is the message. I really wish that we all could look past the outer and look at the enter. His message about the struggles of life and surrendering of ones self to God is the only thing we should really be thinking about. I have always been a fan and I prefer his more slower tempo songs, which are mainly worship music. He is a person that I can turn on his CD and I dont have to jump to certain songs. When it's time to praise, I praise, and when it's time to worship I'm ready. I thank God for MEN like him who do whatever it takes to let people know that GOD is the only way, and he gives you inspiration to keep going no matter what's going on around you.



5. I absolutely love JMoss but this album isn't what i'm used to hearing. Needless to say I was extremely disappointed. I will continue listening to V1.

5 comments about Live: One Last Time.

1. I like "livin' this kind of life," because "I am blessed and highly favored." This CD blesses me whenever I listen to it. I thank God for the Godly seeds that Dr. Mattie Moss Clark has sown into the kingdom of God. The fruition of her seeds are being exemplified in her daughters, The Clark Sisters. I can see the glory of God whenever I see and hear them.



2. This CD is awesome. I love it, I was listening to the songs on the internet radio and there were a lot of them that I really liked. I purchased it and it's absolutely wonderful. Their harmony is still TIGHT. This is some good singing and not the normal when all the songs sound the same just different words. This CD will bless your life.



3. These women are bad, no one can touch them...they are talented and brilliant. I hope this album is not the last time becuase I need more from the Clark Sisters...this cd was definitely wonderful.



4. The Clark Sisters are gifts from heaven. I know that they say this is their farewell, but it sounded more like "we're back." I am sure that we will hear from these ladies together again...For they are "blessed and highly favored."



5. This reunion Cd of the Clarke sisters is phenominal! Every track really brings the spirit! "Blessed and Highly Favored", these sisters truly Are!

5 comments about Lovin' Life.

1. THERE HARMONY IS PROB AS MY HUSBAND SAYS, THE BEST COMBINATION EVER .
   
   BELIEVE THERE HAS BEEN A SUPERNATURAL BREAKTHROUGH. THIS IS GOOD FOR EARLY MORNING WAKING UP.



2. I knew all four current GVB voices were well-suited to Country melodies, but they have gone far and above my expectations. I think this is their best CD yet. All of the songs are lyrical and good listening. I especially love the contributions of Benji Gaither. He has inherited both parents' songwriting talents. Fabulous - as usual. Bill Gaither knows what our souls want to hear!



3. It's hard to imagine someone liking the GVB more than me, but their most recent project left me feeling a little ambivalent. (Perhaps because I'm resentful that I'm not the one singing baritone for the GVB!)
   
   But seriously, it's hard to quantify the move the group has made from the previous project (Give It Away) to the present one. The previous project started the transition into the post-David Phelps era and rightly played to Wes Hampton's vocal strengths. The tight harmonies and the diversity of song styles (including a neat multi-cultural feel) made up for the absence of Phelps' high D's ... and E-flats ... and E's!!
   
   (I should say though that I heard the GVB in concert in Wilkes-Barre, PA the week of the Canada videos taping (Fall 2005). Their closing song was "It Is Finished" and Hampton nearly blew a lung out on the high C solo part which made me less than impressed. Hampton totally redeemed himself however with his impressive showing on the "Live from Toronto" video on the Michael English feature of "I Bowed On My Knees." He nailed the high D-flat as good as any.)
   
   The present project continues the move away from the David Phelps era of the GVB but perhaps goes too far in the other direction. While there are some tight harmony pieces (e.g., portions of "I'm Forgiven" and the remix of "Search Me Lord"), the harmonies overall are pretty straightforward and predictable. (I can tell because I have them pretty much all memorized after only a few weeks.) And too many of the songs fall into the same type/category of song (i.e., slow, reflective) which makes the album a little boring (e.g., "Home of Your Dreams"; "There's Always a Place at the Table"; "When I Cry"). This on top of the fact that many of the songs are re-mixes and re-records. For example, as good a song as "Go Ask" is, in the era of Gaither videos this song has pretty much been beat to death. Also, even though I like the new Latin twist given to "Build an Ark," it's pretty much just a re-record of the 1994 version. And same goes even more so for "Search Me Lord."
   
   An absolute discard of a song is the Henry Slaughter tribute "Lonely Mile." I appreciate Bill Gaither's intentions to honor his long-time friend by including it, but the song just doesn't fit the GVB. Another song I just don't quite get is "The Diff'rence Is In Me." It's not a bad song, but the fact it is included in a GVB album (notwithstanding the fact that Bill and Gloria wrote it [in 1982]) just makes me feel like they're running out of material.
   
   So a recap: Out of the 13 songs, three are re-records, three are slow and boring, two are out of place, which leaves five songs which in the end redeem the album.
   
   1) The opening track, "I'm Forgiven," is a nice up-beat and rythmic song with some nice movements in the baritone part.
   2) "Jesus and John Wayne" is WITHOUT DOUBT the highlight of the album. Guy Penrod is classic on this tune, and again the movements in the baritone part (the flirting with the sixth of the chord in the chorus) as well as the tenor part (the intentional dissonance in the final chorus) make it a joy to sing and listen to.
   3) For some reason I'm never blown away by the GVB's title tracks, at least recently (e.g., Everything Good; I Do Believe; God is Good; Give It Away; an exception would be "Lovin' God, Lovin' Each Other"). That rule stands for "I'm Loving Life." Guy Penrod is strong as usual but it's not an indellible song. It's good but not great.
   4) "Prisoner of Hope" is a nice song; definitely a keeper.
   5) "Then He Bowed His Head and Died" is also a keeper. It is a powerful reflection on Christ's cruciform suffering which represented and embodied God's redemptive suffering in and with the world. Christ re-enacts and assumes on himself the brokenness of the world on the cross as a way of redeeming the world.
   
   In sum, I think this project is something of a step down from the last project but because it's the GVB I love it anyway. I appreciate the overall theme and thrust of the current project as well (i.e., life as a journey with God, etc.) but another thing that made the last project even more powerful was its focus on the social implications of the gospel which challenged the individualism and materialism of especially American culture and certain expressions of American Christianity. We all need to hear the message of "Lovin' Life" but the message of "Give It Away" is what American Christians on the whole really need to hear (myself included).
   
   This album is growing on me, but I'm already anxious for their next release which suggests the present album won't quite cut it for die-hard GVB fans like myself.



4. No matter your feelings regarding prior group formations, the GVB just keeps making new (and revising past) songs that are absolutely beautiful and inspirational. Each version of GVB has had its own chemistry and the inclusion of Marshall and Wes just create a new dynamic that musically can rival the past. There is no better tenor than David Phelps nor is there any more charismatic persona than Mark Lowry but as a group this is yet another fantastic project.



5. The Gaither Vocal Band just keeps getting better! The first track of this new album starts out great and is more than refreshing!! I am already excited about the next album. I like the new version of "Build an Ark" and can't think of words to say that are good enough to say I love this music!!

1 comments about Top 25 Praise & Worship Songs 2009.

1. This CD was excellent. I was amazed at the number of songs (25 total) for such a low price.