Theologically meaty and precise. Devotionally
moving. Aerobically challenging. A hint of bluegrass with a touch o’
the Irish—or perhaps visa-versa. An all-nations flavor, with
perhaps emphasis on the bluegrass and Irish.
The
selections range from a night-club style of relaxed music
highlighting Kristyn’s vocal talent (“Consider the Stars”), to
a blue-grass jamfest—music for the sheer joy of it—that reminds
me of a strings version of Dueling Banjos ( “Beyond These Shores”).
Some selections you want to dance to (or rather run to, if you’re
me—such as “Living Waters”), some selections you want to hand
to a brother or sister burdened by problems with identity (“My
Worth is not in What I Own”), or with the grief of loss (“He Will
Hold Me Fast”). The weakest track on the album is an African piece
(“O Children Come”) but that judgment is merely a matter of
personal preferences, not performance or excellence, and the track
contributes mightily to the glorious all-nations flavor of the whole.
The instrumentation ranges from
standard folk/bluegrass, guitars, bass, banjos, viola/violin, hammered
dulcimer, drums, to rather exotic (various eastern instruments,
including a Chinese Guzheng). The album is performed live, which is
usually my least-favorite recording situation—but it works and
works really well on this outstanding Getty offering. It’s fun to
hear the crowd whooping it up, clapping, and adding a spontaneous
response to the music.
I have become addicted to this
album—listening to it invariably becomes a worship experience.
Highly Recommended!
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