Christian Music

Greetings from Amazon.com Delivers Christian Music

Editor, Mike McGonigal

FEATURED IN THIS E-MAIL:
* New and Notable: The collections "WOW Worship" and "Songs
from the Penalty Box, Vol. 3," Dixie Hummingbirds, Winans
Phase 2, and MxPx
* Bargain Spotlight: "Gospel Favorites" by Willie Nelson
* Recommended Reading
* Our Customers Recommend: "A Maze of Grace" by Avalon
* Editor's Choice: "Jordan's Sister" by Kendall Payne

NEW AND NOTABLE
***************
"WOW Worship"
Various Artists
<http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00000JBDM/entertainmentsit>
From the platinum-selling "WOW" series comes a two-disc
festival of praise and sacred service culled from the best
of the ilk. From the yellow disc's Celtic treatment of "The
River Is Here" and the mellow sweetness of "The Heart of
Worship" to the blue disc's rocking "We Will Embrace Your
Move" and emotive closer "I Could Sing of Your Love Forever,"
perhaps most refreshing is the absence of predictable
superstars. Followers of Jesus will find joy in standouts
such as the stately contemporary standard "Father I Adore
You," the simplicity of the acoustic-based "Mighty Is Our
God," and the homey rock of "Take My Life," an anthem of
holy stewardship.

"Music in the Air"
Dixie Hummingbirds
<http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00000JQZN/entertainmentsit>
Joined by an all-star cast of friends and fellow recording
artists, the Dixie Hummingbirds, arguably the most powerful
jubilee and traditional-style black gospel quartet of the
century, issue "Music in the Air" in celebration of their
70-year reign. Traipsing across stylistic musical boundaries,
the still formidable group pushes the envelope with
reconfigured arrangements of traditionals such as "How Great
Thou Art" and "Come Ye Disconsolate," the former featuring a
powerful a cappella lead by Wynonna Judd in juxtaposition to
the interlocked harmony of the 'Birds. "Music in the Air"
is testament to the quartet's undeniable might and influence
in both the sacred and secular worlds of music.

"Songs from the Penalty Box, Vol. 3"
Various artists--Christian contemporary
<http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00000JKFR/entertainmentsit>
This isn't your mama's soft and sweet inspirational music,
despite its somewhat misleading association with
contemporary Christian music. Neither is it the brightly
"out-there" boy-band fare of Jars of Clay or DC Talk.
Rather, Tooth & Nail's third volume of "Songs from the
Penalty Box" features cutting-edge Christian bands blasting
punk, thrash rock, pop-punk, and hardcore. From the Ramones-
obsessed Huntingtons wailing away on the deja vu-ish
"American War Machine" to Fanmail's distorted pop anthem
"Let Down," "Penalty Box" appeals to bangin' moshers and
skate punks who like their punk rock sacred.

"We Got Next"
Winans Phase 2
<http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00000K29U/entertainmentsit>
Meet the God Squad, next generation! "We Got Next"
introduces the four teenage cousins who, as Winans Phase 2,
run with the barrier-burning gospel torch earlier kept
alight by their fathers, aunts, uncles, and grandparents.
"We Got Next" moves the family legacy forward, celebrating
Jesus with an updated urban gospel sound, as on the
high-energy family-centered anthem "I'm A Winans Too."
The group incorporates samples of its elders, swoon-worthy
boy-band harmony, a blend of hip-hop and dance beats, smooth
R&B, and even a Bee Gees cover.

"At the Show"
MxPx
<http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00000JMXH/entertainmentsit>
Christian pop-punk titans MxPx deliver the goods on this
over-the-top album brimming with live versions of MxPx
classics such as "I'm OK, You're OK," "Chick Magnet," and
"The Downfall of Western Civilization." Produced by the
Descendents' Bill Stevenson, this Washington-based trio
blaze through 23 (count 'em) uptempo anthems that never
fail to energize the heart, mind, and soul.

BARGAIN SPOTLIGHT: "GOSPEL FAVORITES"
*************************************
"Gospel Favorites"
Willie Nelson
<http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000002QL6/entertainmentsit>
Here's what you get with this exquisite little blessing:
Willie, his fragile yet utterly earnest voice, his peculiar
and passionate phrasing, his unmatched gut-string guitar,
his sister Bobbie on graceful piano, and a refreshing set of
sacred songs. So what are you waiting for?

For more bargains, check out Amazon.com's list of 10 CDs
priced at under $10 at
Christian & Gospel

RECEOMMENDED READING
********************
Amazon.com music editor Mike McGonigal has selected the best
Christian-music-related books for you, from devotionals
written by your favorite contemporary Christian musicians to
the history of gospel music.
Christian Books

OUR CUSTOMERS RECOMMEND: "A MAZE OF GRACE"
******************************************
"A Maze of Grace"
Avalon
<http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000000V63/entertainmentsit>
A customer raves: "The Lord has blessed the four members of
this group with oodles of talent. Their voices are amazing,
and the songs are well-written and centered around God's
word. The song titles are fairly basic in meaning, but the
lyrics are deep, insightful, and filled with truth. There's
not one single bad song on this CD; all are overflowing with
God's own passion and agape love. Each song is a testament
in itself to the awesome power and grace of Jesus."

EDITOR'S CHOICE: "JORDAN'S SISTER"
**********************************
"Jordan's Sister"
Kendall Payne
<http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00000JJII/entertainmentsit>
It's such a cliche to call any record a "stunning debut,"
but how else is one to respond to the first release by the
frighteningly talented 19-year-old singer-songwriter
Kendall Payne? Payne's melodic, empowering songs deliver
endearing there-are-big-problems-in-this-world-and-they-
really-do-bother-me words that consistently avoid the banal
trappings of her peers. Payne's work fits easily into the
late-'90s softer-sounding chick-with-a-guitar genre
(Sixpence, Jewel) and displays a keen melodic sense (she
wrote or cowrote all the songs), which, by any right, will
bring future success. With a nondidactic yet powerful
spiritual bent to the songs, "Jordan's Sister" will also
please contemporary Christian music fans.

******

You'll find more great music, articles, and interviews in
Amazon.com's Christian & Gospel Music section at
Christian & Gospel

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