[Worship] Review: It's All About Jesus

[Kim Anthony Gentes <kgentes@praise.net>]

A review of the Vineyard CD
"It's All About Jesus"
Touching The Fathers Heart #38
by Kim Gentes
for WorshipMusic.com

Review: While most of our reviews at WorshipMusic.com
center around products that don't get a lot of attention
(either through retail advertising or simply an indie),
one of the things I have noticed in the last couple of years
is the waning influence of Vineyard's Touching the Father's
Heart series on the list of "new songs" being used by
churches.  Partly because of the insurgence of the UK
worship songs, increase of similar music from other labels
in the US, and growth of indies, the TFH series has been
less than the "staple" of excellent song selection it
has been in the period of 1994-1996.  With a string of
ho-hum projects like "Receive Your Praise", "I Love Loving You",
"I Love Your Ways" and "I Just Want To Thank You", Vineyard Music
has not helped themselves a lot.  Additionally, much of
Vineyard Music focus recently has been on a flurry of
collections, remixed oldies, and "best of's", making the
even the most ardent of Vineyard worship fan crinkle
a brow.

But alas, things are looking up!  One thing Vineyard
has done since early days (under the direction of John
Wimber) is to foster the constant birthing of new songs.
That kind of real encouragement can't go too long before
another crop of good fruit comes due.  The most recent
addition to the TFH series is just one such "pick" of
recent fruit from Vineyard Music.  Along with the
new project "The Burn Service", this CD has indicated
a strong crop of usable and fresh music from Vineyard.

So let's dive in to this CD, "It's All About Jesus"!

To kick it off, this CD begins with a karate chop to
the chin of P&W project "formula" of starting with
an upbeat song and fading to slow.  Instead of hyping
us up, pumping the emotions, and playing to our 
expectations, they start off with the song "Stand Back".
This song moves from the contemplative position of
encouraging us all to "stand back" and let God move.
Writing the lyrics in synch with musical feel, Scott
Underwood lets the song grow, building intensity.
In an attitude of "standing back" and letting
God move, the song ebbs you into the presence of
God as you refocus why we worship.  This song eases
into your heart, and just as you get the point of
it, you run into the title track, "It's All About
Jesus".

Easy to sing and powerful in message, this song
exemplifies the musical contribution that Vineyard
has placed in modern praise & worship over the last
several years- easy lyrics, simply played music, 
contagious melodies, and unashamed intimacy. While
it isn't as reflective and haunting as the Matt Redman
"Heart Of Worship", it doesn't have to be.  Still, the
messages are the same, and there is no doubt a number
of people who will get the two songs confused just by title.

The trek continues through Simple Prayer, a vintage Terry
Butler song rife with accidentals (those keyboard players :)
and the lyrical message of God's holiness.  Another nice
touch on the first "set" of this project is the modern hymn
"My Soul Finds Rest" by Mary McLean.  Not a redone oldie, but
a revisitation to themes of "On Christ the Solid Rock",
complete with 3/4 time and beautifully spacious notes.

The second "set" is led by Danny Daniels.  Track eight heralds
a wonderful song "Faithful Love".  A great songwriting
contribution by Rita Springer and nice vocals by Paula Bowers
make this a [repeat] track on most CD players.  Danny Daniels
chimes in with "River Of Delight", a soft congregational
declaration of what we will do at the coming of Christ.  Another 
song that builds with intensity, "River Of Delight" leads well
into the 70s country/rock sounding "Lord I Lift Up My Voice".
A signature of Danny Daniels songwriting and leading, this song
reminisces of the straight forward praise of his classic "Glory".
Thereafter comes a couple of songs from Mark McCoy, lifting the
worship into much more upbeat praise. "Messiah" is an excellent
moving rock ballad that calls out to Christ.  "Messiah" hints at
a blues feel, and that gets re-ignited in the next song. "Sow In
Tears" has strong musical composition, though it misses
singable and well-paced lyrics that typically accompany Vineyard
songs. The trek of nostalgia doesn't end until the song "We Will
Run", when Danny Daniels wraps up the set with another
declarative song, but this one has a 60s feel.  A nice praise
song telling God how we will run to Him.

And just when you were sitting back and thinking you were
finished, the great surprise of the album happens- "Wonderful"!
Appropriately titled, this song is jumps and hops into
praise for God.  I was unsure as to the language of the
lyrics in the intro line of the song, but Vineyard Music
assures me it is that oft sought after language of
aboriginal Australian.  Apparently the word "Humbia"
means "yahoo" (not to be confused with the website) or
"yippee".  I didn't need to call VMG to get the intention
of the song, though.  Contagious and upbeat, you will
be bouncing throughout the day as this tune rings
through your head.  This would be a great song to 
alter, by fixing a "yippee" in your favorite local
dialect over the current "humbia" ('course, you'll
want to make sure that's covered on your CCLI license
and such ;) .

Overall, I think this CD represents the meatiest
offering from Vineyard in some time.  Though not
as creative a musical effort as "You Shelter Me",
from the same TFH series, the songs are certainly
more useable, and likely to be used, in the local
church.  You won't love all the songs on this album,
but you will like 3 or 4.  Your friend across town
will like a different 3 or 4.  Your friend across
country will like another 3 or 4.  You get the picture-
a little something for everyone, without fluff anywhere.

Nicely done Vineyard Music!  Welcome back.

The CD and review is available on the website at:
  http://www.worshipmusic.com/vmd9300.html

The project also has an accompanying songbook
and split tracks, for those worship leaders who
intend to use the songs.


blessings
Kim G.
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