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Matt Redman is easily one of the most successful praise and worship leaders.  He has written songs that appear on the Passion CDs and many of his songs are currently used in churches all across the country.  Redman returns with a live praise and worship CD that was recorded at the Facedown Songwriters' Gathering in Georgia back in January of this year.  

The live nature of this CD adds an enjoyable and more authentic feel to it, as opposed to many of the current worship CDs that are recorded in studios.  The live sound as well as the sound of the backup singers and crowd singing along as well as cheering add to this unique feeling.  Another thing that can be appreciated is the length of this CD which comes in over an hour long, which is a rarity in an age where most CDs average about 45 minutes in length.  The album is also helped by the fact that Redman wrote or co-wrote every song on this effort.  

The album starts off with "Praise Awaits You," which boasts guitars which add a surprising rock feel to it.  This rock feel adds to the energy of the enjoyable song, but unfortunately will probably mean that the song will get little radio play.  The record then slows down for "Nothing But the Blood," which features a chorus that was inspired by the old hymn of the same name.  Because of that connection, this song could easily make its way into worship times at churches all across the country.  The hypnotic feel to the music of "Seeing You" draws the listener in and the song's simplicity makes one think that it will also make its way into worship times across the country.  The song is simple enough that it can be learned easily by almost anyone.  While the verses are slow, the song picks up some with the chorus.  

The CD slows down for "Gifted Response (We Will Worship You)" which has a simple melody which soothes the listener but builds to a catchy and quite enjoyable chorus. The only problem with this song is that at more than six minutes long, it might drag on longer than most listeners would want.  The CD picks back up with "Dancing Generation" which can become an anthem for many groups across the country as they seek to be a "dancing generation" who seek to dance for His glory.  Youth will definitely enjoy this song as they seek to just worship freely in an exuberant way that very few adults do. Unfortunately this song also seems to become repetitive after a while and some will wish that it ended a minute earlier than it does. The hypnotic, almost haunting feel returns with "Pure Light" which is slow enough that many churches will enjoy it. Chris Tomlin joins in on "Worthy, You Are Worthy", which also seems to drag on about two minutes farther than it should have been. 

The album takes an interesting tone with the spontaneous moment that is "Lead Us Up the Mountain." Many will be surprised at the fact that a spontaneous moment was recorded and included on this effort.  It fits in well with the tone of the surrounding songs and the CD as a whole.  In "Facedown" Redman deals with feeling reverent on the ground of the Lord as he sings "And I'll fall facedown/as your glory shines around". The song tells the listener that God is the center and everything that we do is in response to the majesty and splendor of who God is.  "Breathing the Breath" deals with the idea that everything we have, came originally from God as Redman sings "and all we do is give back to You/what has always been Yours." The catchy anthem "Mission's Flame" will no doubt catch on with many churches and may even become the anthem for missions teams and missions conventions. This is Redman's "sending out" song reminding listeners that the body of Christ is on a mission.  Believing that  worship should be the aim of missions, Redman sings "Let worship be the heart of mission's aim/to see the nations recognize your fame/'Til every tribe and tongue voices your praise/ Send us out."  

Another spontaneous moment of worship is found in "Raise a Voice", which also fits in well with the rest of the CD.  The CD closes with "If I Have Not Love" which draws from the idea in 1 Corinthians 13:1-3 that without love we can be as a clanging cymbal. This simple song is yet another that will make its way into churches across the country.

With this CD, Redman reminds many why he is one of the most popular worship leaders in the country as he delivers a full set of songs that will minister to listeners. Most of these songs will make their way into worship services across the country.

Burton Wray  July 31, 2004