This week we have the latest CD from mega-artist Michael W. Smith.
But, this one is not the same poppy music that you're used to. This
one doesn't have a bit of lyrics to it! Check out our review of
Freedom:

FREEDOM - MICHAEL W. SMITH (2000)
by Josh M. Shepherd
Relying on conductor David Hamilton for original string arrangements,
Michael W. Smith forsakes his overdeveloped skill of lyric-writing to
stretch his awareness of classical music. Gone are the snappy
choruses, often-confectionary phrases, and all other impediments that
obscure what Smitty is as an artist. Marching-band drums and measured
piano chords announce the start of the meritous opener, "Freedom,"
inspired by a soldier's ponderous return home. The Irish Film
Orchestra, prodded by violin soloist David Davidson, handles
an "Offering," a title indicative of Freedom's purpose as a spiritual
catalyst: to fully know refined glory, one must know the King of
glory. At a scant 3:18, "The Giving" passes far too quickly; with
such a plaintive, lingering composition, other composers would only
be starting the onslaught of key changes, crescendos, and cross
harmonies. Smith, recalling his identity as entertainer, goes outside
his contact boundaries in "Hibernia," a meshwork of Celtic and modern
European jigs that comes off too gaudy. Despite the showiness,
Freedom does have it highlights. Light and costly, bright and
ghastly, the white-and-black keys of Michael W.'s instrument are
caressed craftily in "Letter to Sarah." The album's John Williams
(famed Star Wars composer) influence is fleshed out on "Freedom
Battle"; from the rhythm reversals, to the clusters of opposing
themes, this enjoyably imitative piece needs only George Lucas in the
director's chair and Harrison Ford on screen to be complete. A
ballroom waltz of delicate designs, "Cry of the Heart," along with
its twin track "Prayer for Taylor" integrate the subdominant Yamaha
grand piano with the symphonious, expressive labors of the Irish Film
Orchestra. Far from losing a classical touch, this natural concord
takes listeners to an undiscovered plane where traditional and
futurist styles embrace. Track ten held great potential, with its
boychoir beginning (an element that MWS has used to rich effect in
past albums); but, alas, the "choir" is a synthesized facade, which
is what the drum-machine drivel "The Call" disgresses to. Whatever
logic the keyboardist had for including such a vapid, cut-rate track,
it only serves to make listeners thankful for their Cd
player's "Skip" button. To tie Freedom to his past work, Michael
Smith plunks out his 1984 classic "Thy Word," an overly-churchy turn
that restrains the musicians with dull repetition. The finale "Free
Man" peals creativity, a duet of real guitar (from Chris Graffignino)
and the Smith keyboard's technically-credible guitar sound; one can
hardly be distinguished from the other. Winsome photography packages
this album of discovery and without-words expression, a landmark in
Michael W. Smith's career that trumpets a true musical Freedom.

Find out more about Michael W. Smith at cMusicWeb.com:
http://cMusicWeb.com/pop/michaelwsmith


AVAILABLE TODAY (on cMusicWeb.com or at your local store)

THE CHAMPION VIDEO HITS COLLECTION - CARMAN
He already has his movie out in the theatres, so of course he needs a
collection of his cheesiest music videos!

HIT PARADE - AUDIO ADRENALINE
The Greatest HIts of rock band Audio Adrenaline is a great
collection, and the new songs are even good! "Will Not Fade" is
dominating on Rock radio right now, so pick up all the best,
from "Big House" to "Underdog", and all the way in between. This is
definitely the PICK OF THE WEEK.

I LOVE YOUR PRESENCE: LIVE FROM THE UK - VINEYARD UK
Featuring live worship from UK's national Doing the Stuff conference,
this album features new live worship from Vineyard. A quality
collection of worship tunes in a live setting.

LET MY WORDS BE FEW - PHILLIPS, CRAIG, AND DEAN
The famous three pastors that sing cannot just record pop and have
everyone else get the worship music. This album presents their
versions of favorite worship anthems, plus some new ones. Also, the
production help of Nathan Nockels (from Watermark and Passion) is a
big plus.

THE NOISE WE MAKE - CHRIS TOMLIN
One of the key worship leaders from the Passion ministry now has his
own CD on sixstepsrecords, Passion's label. Includes his versions
of "Be Glorified" and "America", and also produced by Nathan Nockels.


AVAILABLE TO PRE-ORDER (on cMusicWeb.com)

ROCK: http://cMusicWeb.com/rock
wlladjusted - Beanbag [3/27]

ALTERNATIVE: http://cMusicWeb.com/alternative
No Place So Far - Erin O'Donnell [03/20]

POP: http://cMusicWeb.com/pop
Conversations - Sara Groves [3/20]
Bedtime Prayers - Twila Paris [3/27]

WORSHIP: http://cMusicWeb.com/worship
wOw Worship Green - Varsiou [3/20]
SONICPRAISe - SONICFLOOd [4/10]

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


THIS WEEK'S CHRISTIAN HIT RADIO CHARTS
> The top 5 are mostly the same, but PlusOne is coming up.
> Also, Audio A's new song enters the charts at number ten.
1. Joy - Newsboys
2. Every Time I Fall - Jaci Velasquez
3. These Thousand Hills - Third Day
4. Lay it Down - Jennifer Knapp
5. Genuine - Stacie Orrico
6. Long Way Home - Forty Days
7. My Life - PlusOne
8. Wake Up - LaRue
9. Can't Erase It - Jars of Clay
10. One Like You - Audio Adrenaline

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


cMUSICWEB UPDATES
• New book review - When God is First:
http://cMusicWeb.com/books/whengodisfirst


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