Well, summer is definitely here and in full swing. It is hot out, school has
been out for a bit, and the summer festivals are going on. We plan on having
some exclusive stuff for you at HersheyPark for Creation Fest in a couple
weeks, so stay tuned for that. Also, we have a whole bunch of new reviews
for you in the next couple weeks. To start it off, we have a review that has
not yet reached cMusicWeb.com... a collection of rare, live material from
Rich Mullins on CD and DVD.

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HERE IN AMERICA - RICH MULLINS (2003)
by Jason Ewert

Nearly six years ago, Rich Mullins was called home by our heavenly Father.
Though we celebrate that Rich has passed from the dust of this life to the
glory of heaven, we also mourn the passing of a man whose influence has been
sorely felt since that tragic September day.

That Rich Mullins has such popularity is something of a mystery. While
alive, Rich was frank in his speech (often shocking people with his choice
of words) and unafraid of confessing his struggles (who could forget the
story behind "Hold Me Jesus"?). He was an unrefined man who often appeared
in public scruffy and ill-clothed, sometimes causing suspicion. Yet, it was
these characteristics that endeared Rich to us, for here was someone who
simply lived life without putting on the garb of self-confidence and fame.

Unlike other tributes to Rich, Here in America (a CD/DVD combination)
captures that rough and astonishing part of his nature. Sometimes he's
causing his audience to gasp, other times he's cracking them up with a joke,
and still others he's eagerly getting them to participate in his music.
Wrong notes and out-of-tune guitars are there, but so are the spontaneous
sermons that engage the listener's attention and educationally entertain.

Yes, Here in America is a rough collection, and it is not smooth, easy
listening. However, those who complain about the roughness of the recordings
obviously don't properly appreciate Rich Mullins: the vivid life that he
lived is a light that could not be hidden or dimmed by any lack of sound
quality.

The DVD portion of Here in America is also less than can be expected. Though
the concert footage is well played and fascinating, the "12 Short Stories"
are often abruptly cut off, and the chapter titles are more of a nuisance
than a help. Rich's stories are still captivating, however, and you will
feel the eloquence of his words move you long after you have turned your TV
off.

Here was a man whose talents abounded. Here was a man whose songs used
poetry that most of us can feel but never say. Here was a man who struggled
and sinned on a daily basis. Here was a man who had his doubts and his
questions as he walked the lonely road of faith. And what did he have to
say? "I know that God is good." Amen and amen.

Find out more about Rich Mullins:
http://www.richmullins.com/


OTHER NEW STUFF ON cMUSICWEB.COM
Review: Fallen - Evanescence
http://cMusicWeb.com/rock/evanescence/fallen.shtml

Views: The Word I Hate The Most
http://cMusicWeb.com/views/archiveben/thewordihate.shtml

Review: Live At The Door - Nichole Nordeman
http://cMusicWeb.com/pop/nicholenordeman/liveatthedoor.shtml

Interview: Creation Founder Harry Thomas
http://cMusicWeb.com/features/creation2003/index.shtml


AVAILABLE TUESDAY, JUNE 3 (at cMusicWeb.com or your local music store)

GRAVITY - CHRISTAFARI
The founders and one of the only "gospel reggae" bands are back for their
latest disc. For the casual Christian music listener, it's a bit of a
different style, but it is the real stuff, music from the islands.

HALLELUJAHS: A WORSHIP COLLECTION - VARIOUS
Rocketown Records is trying to repeat the success of their Exodus project
and the success of recent worship music. However, this "collection" is
mostly recycled songs by the roster of Rocketown with a worshippy feel.


AVAILABLE TUESDAY, JUNE 10 (at cMusicWeb.com or your local music store)

THE BEST OF CELTIC PRAISE AND WORSHIP - EDEN'S BRIDGE
If you can't get enough Celtic music and praise and worship, here's two in
one. However, if you want good Celtic music or good praise and worship from
the UK, then look at Iona and Matt Redman, respectively.

FIREPROOF - PILLAR (Re-Release)
Now on MCA Records, the latest release from Pillar has been redone,
featuring all the songs remixed and sounding better than ever, plus new
packaging and even a bonus DVD. Plus, for most places you can get it for
pretty cheap. So if you haven't checked out Pillar yet, rock fans should
probably check it.

THE GADFLY - LPG
A subset of the Tunnel Rats family finally releases their own full-length
album on Uprok, with many guest appearances from the TR'z and beyond.

HOPE IN ANGUISH - EAST WEST
Dennis Mackay, who has produced CDs for Paul McCartney and David Bowie, took
hardcore band East West into the studio and produced a well-rounded album.
If you are up for the wall of guitars, check out East West's latest,
undoubtedly their best.

INSIDE OUT - NATE SALLIE
Riding the line of pop and rock and with some good lookin' promo shots, Nate
Sallie is going to be popular. However, the CD failed to grab me, for most
of the songs sounded the same.

REMEDY - STRANGE CELEBRITY
Keepin' it rockin', Strange Celebrity is one of those new rock bands on the
block. However, even after a listen or two, I have not come up with anything
that differentiates them from the regular rock band.

SO MUCH FOR SUBSTITUTES - DOWNHERE
Fans of the first Downhere disc will definitely be surprised when they pop
in their second release. These Canadians have changed their sound a bunch,
such as the Scott Stapp-sounding vocals of their frontman.


THE LATEST NEWS HEADLINES
- Third Day, Chevy Ink New Deal
- KJ-52 Hits TRL
- Benjamin Gate Closing in November
- And more!

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


Thanks for reading this week's cMusicMail, and we'll be back next week with
even more great content. 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
AOL IM - dMusicWeb