Some of you, like us, may have found Jason Upton's 2001 album, Faith, in the
discount bin at your local Christian music store. Hopefully, from the good
sounds as well as our incessant reviewing of his albums, you have managed to
order a couple more of his independent projects. But if you're one of those
who only buys at the store, though, today marks the second major-label
release from Jason Upton. Check out the powerful, artistic worship talked
about in the following review:

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GREAT RIVER ROAD - JASON UPTON (2005)
by Hollie Stewart

Jason Upton never ceases to amaze me. From passionate ballads to insightful
praise choruses, his artistic sensibilities combine with genuine forms of
worship. I first heard about this artist from Faith, Upton's first album to
be distributed on a major record label. If I had not been able to find him
in the worship music section of my local music store, I might have never
heard of his ministry.

Some of you might be in the same place as I was several years ago. You
might read these reviews and wonder why I make such a big deal of this
no-name musician. Here is your chance to walk into your local music store,
head over to the worship music section, and sample Upton's work. Toby Mac's
Gotee Records has chosen to distribute the seventh CD from this simple
worship leader. Great River Road takes four new songs, five remixes, and
the Keith Green classic "You Are the One," and mixes them together for an
audience who might otherwise never embrace Upton's sound.

In remixing some older melodies, Upton introduces them in a way that
enhances the original recordings. "The Road to Emmaus," taken from Dying
Star, once stood as a piano-dominated song. It now incorporates a subtle
pop-rock beat, maracas, mandolins, and an upright bass to add a bit of
movement. Those who remember the initial recording might be too distracted
by the music to focus on the lyrics, but for you first-time listeners, the
words will cut deep into touchy issues: "Have you ever been distracted by
the homeless / Have you ever thrown your dollar with disgust / Have you ever
thought the Great Commission's just too great a cost / Have you ever played
the fool?"

The original rendition of "Run Baby Run" maintains the piano/guitar/drum
combination that feels so traditionally Upton. Jason's wife Rachel also
lends background vocals, as is common in many of his early records. It is a
bit more up-beat than other classics, but it sounds almost bland when
compared to the Great River Road adaptation. The piano, once the lead
instrument, has become background filler for the steady drumbeat and
acoustic guitar work.

"When You Were a Child" was originally recorded at a live event and featured
on Remember. Here on Great River Road it enters the studio for the first
time, similar in sound to songs like "Whistle in Your Will" and "Wait Upon
the Wind." The violins and flutes return, along with Upton's piano, to
maintain a connection to his earlier work

Perhaps Gotee provided additional musicians to enhance the flavor of this
recording. But no matter the cause, the musical diversity doesn't detract
from Upton's hard-hitting lyrics. The four new tracks remain lyrical
masterpieces. "Chop Down the Tree" documents the truth of no kingdom rising
above Christ through the metaphor of a tall tree. "The King's Way" sounds
like a medieval hymn in both music and lyrical meter: "There is not today a
more holy way / Than the steps that lead me to the cross / Where my will
can't be the priority / And these crowns I've gained I count as loss."
"Trust Once More" calls for people to trust God: "I don't know where you
come from / I don't know where you're going / I only know the healing starts
when we stop running." Perhaps the most heart-breaking track, "Return to
Me," has God asking the prodigal child why they have walked away from Him.
Upton sings, "What have I done wrong that you would leave Me / What have I
done wrong that you would walk away?" It's a song that is more evangelistic
than most Christian CDs on the shelves.

There is so much more that can be said about this musical creation. Grammy
Award winner Bill Miller, a Native American musician, contributes flutes,
chants, and a spoken prayer at the end of "Chop Down the Tree" that brings
chills. Each CD contains about four hours of Upton explaining the history
behind the songs. It offers a unique glimpse into the delicate work needed
for every composition. Great River Road is more radio friendly than his
previous works (perhaps to help engage a wider audience), but it still holds
the same raw, passionate worship heard on his six other albums. I hope this
album will introduce people to the wide world of wonder God has poured
through Jason Upton.

Read more about Jason Upton at cMusicWeb.com:
http://cMusicWeb.com/worship/jasonupton


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AVAILABLE TUESDAY, APRIL 26 (at cMusicWeb.com or your local music store)

ALIVE - KAINOS
The hottest thing in Christian music these days is rock. And Kainos has that
in spades. But the difference with Kainos is that the music is made by a
husband-and-wife duo, with the lead singer being the wife. So if you're
looking for more female-fronted rock, check this out.

ATOM BOMB - THE BLIND BOYS OF ALABAMA
The Blind Boys of Alabama are an old-school southern gospel group that has
been around for over fifty years! Their last project was a full-length
collaboration with Ben Harper, but their latest disc features a number of
their originals. Also, the disc includes a bluesy version of "Spirit In The
Sky" and guests from Los Lobos and Blackalicious' Gift of Gab.

GREAT RIVER ROAD - JASON UPTON
See above for a full-length review of the PICK OF THE WEEK.

HOUSE OF HEROES - HOUSE OF HEROES
If you've heard of House of Heroes before, forget what you knew. These guys
have grown up. While they used to sound like cheap, indie rock, their
major-label debut features creative art-rock like their lead single, "Serial
Sleepers".

LIVE IN SEATTLE - SHAWN McDONALD
Shawn McDonald has been a really popular pop artist over the last year or
so. Although his last release was a debut album, fans will surely want to
hear his full-length live show.


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