Michael W.Smith - A New Hallelujah
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Free Music Notes for A New Hallelujah
Free Music Review: A New Hallelujah!
Hit: 5 Stars
"A New Hallelujah" is an awesome mosaic of music. Genius and inspiration in one CD! Hallelujah!Free Music Review: great seller
Hit: 5 Stars
cd was delivered timely and in perfect shape. I would use this seller again , anytimeFree Music Review: Singing praise to God can be exciting and inspiring
Hit: 4 Stars
You could say that A New Hallelujah (2008) stems from the release of Worship (2001), which became the fastest-selling album in Christian retail--eventually achieving platinum certification along with Worship DVD (2002). But Michael W. Smith's (MWS) engagement with worship started long before this. Do you remember, or have you heard, "Great is the Lord," from his debut recording Michael W. Smith Project (1983)? It was sung in churches across the land.
MWS has always had a heart for worship, but now more than ever it is being fully expressed. With this, his third praise and worship recording--Worship Again (2002) his second--Michael returns to what must be one of his reasons for being.
MWS may be too mainstream for sophisticated tastes, but he brings a dynamic and energy that wins many people over. He has the ability to make worship exciting and inspiring. He demonstrates that there's no reason why singing praise to God needs to be dull.
The dramatic opening instrumental that starts with what sounds like a ticking time-bomb and machine-like drumming, reminiscent of the opening ceremony in this past summer's Olympics, create a sense of anticipation. It leads right into "Prepare Ye the Way," a song that builds in intensity toward an explosive chorus.
Two excellent songs performed with the Uganda's African Children's Choir follow. It shows a little of the variety in styles found here, which includes atmospheric rock, African, gospel, piano balladry, choir and congregational singing, and additional special guest performances. The latter includes, Coalo Zomorano, who sings in Spanish, and local crowd favorite, Israel Houghton, worship leader of Joel Osteen's Lakewood Church, where this event was recorded.
The duet between MWS and Israel Houghton on "Help is on the Way," is a standout gospel song that communicates comfort. Another highlight is the vibrant choir and congregational singing heard throughout the recording.
One drawback, and it's characteristic of this genre, is the prolonged repetition on some songs of choruses and simple phrases. I would have enjoyed hearing the verses of "Healing Rain" and "Majesty."
Some who prefer mostly anthem-like songs may not appreciate the more quiet and subtle moments, but this balances out the triumphant and celebratory nature of the event. You get both praise and worship. The tender "Deep in Love with You" balances the majesty of "Mighty to Save."
There is a little more depth and creativity than what you find on the two previous releases. You get flashes of MWS's ingenuity with arrangements and keyboards. It's always been an asset, but perhaps not as evident on the other two releases. If I had to choose between his trilogy of worship recordings, this would be my pick. Some of the songs are not as strong, but this is more artistic.
This needs to be released on DVD. This is worth seeing as well as hearing.
Free Music Review: Geslaagd in opzet
Hit: 4 Stars
Na Michael W. Smith - Worship (2001) en Michael W. Smith - Worship Again (2002) was de angst dat Smitty zich geheel op aanbiddingsmuziek zou gaan richten, meebewegend op de golf van populaire muziek. Zeker het live met collega artiesten opgenomen Worship album heeft voor een enorme stimulans van worship CD's gezorgd. Gelukkig zijn inmiddels naast verzamelaars van deze veteraan ook reguliere albums als Healing Rain (2004), STAND (2006) en een 2e kerstalbum, It's a Wonderful Christmas (2004, als opvolger van Christmas uit 1998) uitgekomen. En 'dus' is een nieuw worshipalbum in 2008 wel verklaarbaar. Live opgenomen op 20 juni 2008 in de megakerk Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas, werkt Michael W. Smith vooral samen. Na een typisch concert opwarmer, Prepare Ye The Way spat de titeltrack, waarin het African's Children Choir meeswingt en zingt. De Afrikaanse sferen blijven hangen in het zelfgeschreven When I Think of You. Reuben Morgan's Mighty To Save en het door Joel Houston en Marty Simpson geschreven Shout Unto God klinken met achtergrondzangers en het Lakewood Church Choir krachtig. Het door Chris Tomlin en Louie Giglio met extra coupletten aangevulde Amazing Grace wordt gevolgd door het zelfgeschreven Deep In Love With You past qua stijl en arrangement als eerste in de rij met Healing Rain / Let It Rain en Majesty (van Delirious? Martin Smith).
Het opnieuw gearrangeerde gezang I Surrender All ligt te ver van het origineel om te boeien, hoewel Coalo Zamorano's Spaanstalige solo wel iets extra's. Het in het kader van Compassionart met Delirious? Martin Smith geschreven Grace is de opmaat voor een duet met Israel Houghton op diens Help Is On The Way, een regelrechte gospelsong. Hinderlijk bij herhaalde luisterbeurten is de bemoediging van bijna 2 minuten tussen Grace en Help Is On The Way. Natuurlijk prima tijdens een concert, niet op een muziek CD. De opzwepende afsluiter The River Is Rising, opnieuw van eigen hand geeft nog eenmaal de band en de koren de gelegenheid helemaal los te gaan.
Met A New Hallelujah toont Smith dat toegevoegde waarde op de vele, vele bestaande worship albums, moet zitten in eigen nieuwe liederen, speciale arrangementen en samenwerking met anderen. Daarin is hij geslaagd.
Free Music Review: Smitty Continues the Worship
Hit: 4 Stars
Once again, Michael has lifted us to the throne room to deliver praise. And he still does a great job of it.
Like the previous two, this CD is a recording of a live worship event that Michael led. There are two differences from the previous releases. There are no studio tracks, here. More importantly, Michael wrote about half the song on here. A few originally appeared on his last couple of studio releases, but they fit right in here.
Of the familiar songs, I really am thrilled to get "Mighty to Save" a song I learned this summer. And I can't get enough copies of "Amazing Grace (My Chains are Gone)." Michael has arranged the classic hymn "I Surrender All" to switch from English to Spanish, which is kind of cool.
And that's another thing that sets this CD apart. Several friends show up to help with the songs. Caolo Zamorano does the Spanish singing I just discussed. Israel Houghton does a duet on the gospel flavored "Help is on the Way" that he co-wrote. Finally, the African Children's Choir back up Michael on two songs, both with a fun African flavor.
My one complaint is the same one I've had with his other Worship projects. At times, he just takes a few lines and repeats them. If I am paying close attention to the disc, that gets annoying. Fortunately, most of the time I tune it out at that point and come back for the next song.
If you were a fan of Michael's previous worship oriented releases, you'll enjoy having this one in your collection as well.