This week, amidst an onslaught of releases just in time for Christmas, we
find a whole bunch of DVDs. Done by most of the labels with Chordant
distribution, this "Collector's Series" is supposed to give a closer look at
your favorite artists. The common format is a couple music videos and other
basic artist information, which is a nice way to get the artist's videos in
your own home. But, even at the value price of $6, it's not clear that the
average DVD in the series is worth it. We'll look at this more in our new
releases, but first, an in-depth look at Ginny Owens' latest:

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BLUEPRINT EP - GINNY OWENS (2002)
by Dan Ficker

After two Ginny discs, we have seen her quiet side, in which she sings and
plays the piano beautifully. On her CDs we also find the carefully
produced, poppy songs, which seem much different from the softer stuff.
However, through bluEPrint, we find that they are not as different as they
seem. All the songs start as just Ginny and her piano, and then progress
further in the studio. On this EP, we find eight songs in their most basic,
acoustic format. In the studio, we find Ginny on vocals, Margaret Becker in
the producer's seat and a small group of background instrumentalists,
including Matt Slocum on cello. The result is a bluesy look behind the
scenes of Ginny Owens's success.

A string bass opens along with the keys on "Free," with a snare introduced
on the chorus. Ginny's vocals are recorded "live" in the studio in this
album, and this shows in "I Am," where a listen to the cut off Something
More reveals that she probably worked hard on the perfect timing of the
lines. "With Me" takes on a whole new life on bluEPrint, with a quiet,
soulful praise feel instead of highly-mixed power pop. Lush strings are
featured on the acoustic version of "I Am Nothing," a reminder of the need
for love instead of goodness. Solo piano intros the title track to her
latest LP, concluding that "there's gotta be something more to life." The
one is probably the most upbeat on the disc and features exciting strings.
Lots of string bass and some subtle electric guitar from Scott Dente are
found on "True Story." Ginny's piano playing is featured throughout this
release, and "Run to You" finds her expounding on some basic chords, doing a
superb job. The last track of the EP is "Let Them Hear," a previously
unreleased song. This plea to God to "let them hear You through me" brings
peaceful, quiet closure to the disc, again featuring soothing strings during
the chorus.

Most of the songs on this disc can be found on other full releases from
Ginny Owens, but on bluEPrint they are presented in a more intimate, live
setting. Here we see Ginny not as a pop act but as a skilled piano-based
artist. It is a very different view of Ginny Owens, but it is great to see
the bluEPrint of her music, what makes it touch so many people. Ginny
Owens's prayer to "let them hear" is especially realized in this EP, which
has the intimate feeling of her playing in your living room.

Read more about Ginny Owens at cMusicWeb.com:
http://cMusicWeb.com/pop/ginnyowens


OTHER NEW STUFF ON cMUSICWEB.COM
Feature: Mars Ill
http://cMusicWeb.com/hiphop/marsill/feature.shtml


AVAILABLE TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 19 (at cMusicWeb.com or your local music store)

ACQUIRE THE FIRE: LIVE THE DIFFERENCE - VARIOUS
Coming from the many Acquire the Fire conferences that Teen Mania puts on
every year, this disc is different from their previous artist-driven
releases. College-age youth were picked to lead worship for this CD, which
is produced by Otto Price (Sonicflood, dc Talk).

ALIEN YOUTH: THE UNPLUGGED INVASION DVD - SKILLET
Today starts the onslaught of "Collector's Series" DVDs from all the
Chordant labels. This one, for only $6, features 5 songs recorded in a live,
unplugged setting as well as the "Best Kept Secret" music video and a Bible
study lead by John Cooper.

BLUEPRINT EP - GINNY OWENS
See review above for our in-depth take on this EP.

GOSPELALPHAMEGAFUNKYBOOGIEDISCOMUSIC - T-BONE
T-Bone does the decidedly different in this long-winded release. Although
this will be a unique entry into Christian hip-hop, it has yet to be seen if
it will be worth checking out.

HI-FI REVIVAL DVD - THE O.C. SUPERTONES
A simple "Collector's Series" release, this one features the "Return of the
Revolution" live video and the "Superfly" video, as well as a featurette on
the making of their latest disc, Hi-Fi Revival.

KUTLESS DVD - KUTLESS
This "Collector's Series" disc features the music videos to "Your Touch" and
"Tonight" as well as clips from the rest of the album and audio commentary
from the band.

LIFT DVD - AUDIO ADRENALINE
Surprising, Audio A's "Collector's Series" release has more than the norm,
with 3 music videos, the making-of for the "Ocean Floor" video, clips from
their live concerts, behind the scenes footage, and even a sneak preview of
their next album.

OUR LOVE IS LOUD DVD - PASSION
While not a live worship event recording like their last DVD, Our Love is
Loud goes behind the scenes with the artists and the creators of the Passion
movement, bringing you closer to the heart of Passion.

REVOLUTION - ALL STAR UNITED
This quick 10-track release is different than the All Star United you may
remember, but is still one of Ian Eskelin's best. Read our full review of
this one here:
http://cMusicWeb.com/rock/allstarunited/revolution.shtml

ROYAL RUCKUS - ROYAL RUCKUS
Flicker Records again takes a chance by signing very unique artists. These
fast-talking rock-rappers will not gain popularity until their betters, such
as TobyMac, get out of the industry.

SONGS 4 WORSHIP: MY REDEEMER LIVES - VARIOUS
As is usual with this "As Seen on TV" series, we have two full discs of
rather plain Integrity Music worship hits for your parents to listen to when
they get bored with the last Songs 4 Worship CD.

SPEAK LIFE - SEV STATIK
Another of the Tunnel Rats goes solo with ill beats and solid flows, plus
appearances from his fellow emcees from Deepspace 5 and the TR'z.

THIS IS YOUR LIFE DVD - OUT OF EDEN
Another typical "Collector's Series" release, this also features their two
latest videos, "Meditate" and "Looking For Love" as well as album clips and
audio commentary.

TOUCH - DELIRIOUS?
Based on their worldwide release, Audio Lessonover?, Touch cuts four tracks
but adds a bonus disc with a six-track preview of their Spring live release,
Access:d as well as 3 CD-ROM music videos to make it the PICK OF THE WEEK.
Read our Audio Lessonover? review here:
http://cMusicWeb.com/rock/delirious/audiolessonover.shtml

ULTIMATE COLLECTION - KEITH GREEN
How a deceased artist keeps releasing music is amazing to me. But, this
"best-of" features some of Green's most popular tracks as well a bonus DVD
with a documentary on Green's life.

UPROK MIXTAPE VOL. 1 - VARIOUS
Featuring no less than 25 songs at a steal price of only $4.99, there's no
reason that you cannot give out lots of hip-hop stocking stuffers this
Christmas. Every Uprok Records artist is represented and the mixing by DJ
Allstar is superb, keepin' the beats fresh.

WHAT GRACE - GRAHAM KENDRICK
Kendrick's disc is new from the UK, where his Matt Redman style worship has
garnered him some mainstream airplay. This disc features an appearance by
Martin Smith, lead singer of delirious?.

WORSHIP GOD DVD - REBECCA ST. JAMES
Featuring the videos "Wait for Me" and "Song of Love" as well as Audio
Commentary and footage from Australia, Rebecca's "Collector's Series" DVD is
also a good by for fans.

YESTERDAY, TODAY, AND TOMORROW DVD - MERCYME
MercyMe imitates the "Collector's Series" by offering their own value-priced
DVD with two music videos, a couple behind the scenes featurettes, and some
basic bio information.


THE LATEST NEWS HEADLINES
- A John Tesh Christmas
- And more!

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


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