There's lots of cool stuff cooking up this week, from the latest in
live modern worship from the UK, to some of the biggest and best
releases of the beginning of the summer! So, hold on to your hats,
this is going to be a bit longer than normal.

I LOVE YOUR PRESENCE - VINEYARD UK (2001)
by Josh Shepherd
Anointing, as a Biblical principle, is misunderstood by far too many
outside of and within the Church. Little discussed in practical
terms, it is the inspiration, or breath, of the Holy Spirit on an
individual's life and giftings; thus, the more hours spent in
practical learning and skill sharpening, the more there is for the
Spirit to breathe on and mold. It is with that premise that projects
like I Love Your Presence should be viewed: makeovers of popular
songs in a "reflective intimate assembly" or a "charged live
atmosphere" (depending on whatever angle the marketing department
uses). As it bears upon this Vineyard UK release, the setting really
does give some perspective, as I Love Your Presence was recorded
during England's annual Doing the Stuff summit for worship leaders.
Undoubtedly, much went on during that weekend with workshops and
talks, and the true gist of it comes from a Mike Pilavachi quote
(included on the album): "He is the center of worship, and how dare
we ever make us the center of worship." Such Biblical understanding
should permeate any such gathering; yet, building upon that, many
also believe that God desires an energetic, new song from His
people. Elevating the worshipers' sight to the Maker and Creator, "I
Lift My Eyes Up (Psalm 121)" is impelled by a cheering crowd with
prayerful hope, and features an all-too-common annoyance in the
worship genre: a female alto who misses her notes just enough to be
noticeable. Taken aback by its layers of acoustic delight, one
cannot resist "Hallelujah," the Brenton Brown/Brian Doerksen single
that lauds the mountainous, steady, amazing love that God showers on
His children. Tracks 3-4 begin the altar music that typifies I Love
Your Presence, enrapturing for conference attendees doing "carpet
time," but quite ho-hum to listeners with any track record at Sunday
services. James 1:17 serves as the basis for "Father of Lights,"
less musical and flowing than the Bible verse itself, while "Who is
This" beckons Jesus to steal hearts in a shaker-centric tune.
Returning to the discourse on anointing, I am pained to count the
acquaintances (even local) who could improve on these musicians'
parts; no doubt God used what was there, but what remains unplayed
and unsung because guitarists, pianists, etc. are chained to some
bullheaded perceptions of what "congregational music" is? Naturally,
most in the nontraditional Vineyard movement would agree, and "All
Who Are Thirsty" reaffirms that core nucleus of daily desperation for
God, the Life-Fountain. "I'm singing You this song ~ I'm waiting at
the Cross" professes Kathryn Scott in the year 2000's lasting
addition to modern hymnody, an earnest, lasting "Surrender." The
conglomeration of leaders-including Nigel Briggs, Sharon Heap, and
Mike Frye--keep it in 'neutral' for the album's closer, "I Love Your
Presence," conversing with God about tranquility, completion, and His
eminence. If to "vividly capture the powerful presence of the Holy
Spirit" was the point (as the packaging suggests), Vineyard UK can
add another stellar success to its canon; unfortunately, I Love Your
Presence shows deficiencies on the technical, musical side of things.

Find out more about Vineyard UK at cMusicWeb.com:
http://cMusicWeb.com/worship/vineyarduk


AVAILABLE TUESDAY, MAY 22 (on cMusicWeb.com or at your local store)

THE BIG SURPRISE - THE ELMS
If you like any rock music, you'll like the elms. These boys put
together rock styles from the 60s, 70s, 80s, and even a bit of the
present. If you haven't heard "Hey, Hey" yet, get your local station
to do it, for it's the PICK OF THE WEEK.

FACING CHANGES - HANGNAIL
Well, I guess their band is "Facing Changes". Don't know what that
means, but this hard-hitting rock band is expected to have a decent
sophmore album.

FESTIVAL CON DIOS - VARIOUS
If you like rock/alternative music, you'll like Festival Con Dios.
This traveling 1-day music festival may be coming to some place near
you, but even if it isn't, you can take a bit of it home! This
sampler is pretty good, although it's all been heard before, except a
new track, the title track of Skillet's upcoming album, "Alien
Youth", which is definitely worth looking for!

KARAOKE SUPERSTARS - SUPERCHICK
This new band from InPop is the lesser of the two female-fronted rock
bands this week, but they still have a good message. Their current
rock hit, "Barlow Girls", reminds chicks and guys alike to be careful
about the way they dress.

OXYGEN - AVALON
Well, it's Avalon. Their pop-dance music is popular with the adults,
so why would we like it? :-)

UNTITLED - THE BENJAMIN GATE
Either the marketing department at ForeFront is dumb or very smart,
because "Untitled" is a cool album title, if you ask me! And,
although the album title gives you no expectations, this new band
will break them. Although their rock sound is not for everyone, this
female-fronted band brings a very unique style to Christian Music.


AVAILABLE TO PRE-ORDER (on cMusicWeb.com)

ROCK: http://cMusicWeb.com/rock
Live - Big Tent Revival [6/05]
Live - P.O.D. [6/26]

ALTERNATIVE: http://cMusicWeb.com/alternative
Leave Here A Stranger - Starflyer 59 [6/05]
Paige (self-titled) [6/19]

POP: http://cMusicWeb.com/pop
Imagerical - Matt Brouwer [5/29]
Rhythms of Rememberance - apt.core [6/19]

WORSHIP: http://cMusicWeb.com/worship
Open The Eyes of My Heart - Vertical Music (Various) [6/19]

Click on the album titles on the genre page to order them and recieve
them on the release date.


THE LATEST NEWS HEADLINES
• CREED... Their Phenoomenal Success!
• The Tooth and Nail Label Goes on Tour
• GMA Wraps with Dove Awards
• Third Day Draws Immense Crowds
• Bleach Member Drums with the Best of Them
• And much more!

View all the latest stories on cMusicWeb.com:
http://cMusicWeb.com/


THIS WEEK'S CHRISTIAN HIT RADIO CHARTS
> Damita enters the chart. "Ocean" takes #1 for the second week,
> and Rachael Lampa dives down. Go delirious?!
1. Ocean - Ten Shekel Shirt
2. Make It Last Forever - Avalon
3. One Like You - Audio Adrenaline
4. Reborn - Rebecca St. James
5. Water - Matt Brouwer
6. Now and Forever - True Vibe
7. Shaken - Rachael Lampa
8. My Life - PlusOne
9. Spirit Inside - Damita
10. God You Are My God - delirious?

SOURCE: CCM Update (http://www.ccmupdate.com/)


cMUSICWEB UPDATES
• New Review - I Love Your Presence
http://cMusicWeb.com/worship/vineyarduk


Although we're not getting too many updates, we encourage you to find
out the latest news on the main page of cMusicWeb.com, brought to you
by Ben Forrest, our news reporter! Also, we're seriously working on
the design of Version 3.0, and in the final design stages. So, get
ready for more invasion of new stuff! Thanks for reading cMusicMail,
and we look forward to sharing the latest info with you. If you have
any comments or questions, please reply to this e-mail or send them
to webmaster@... We'd love to hear from you!

Dan Ficker
http://cMusicWeb.com/
a different approach to music
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