As regular readers know, this blog tends to feature more book reviews than thoughts on worship albums (with Trent's 'Burn Bright', and Worship Central's '' being notable exceptions). So, continuing that theme, the album I'm sharing some thoughts on today is featured less because it exists and more because it has been a welcome soundtrack to work, life, and leisure over the past few weeks - and a reminder to worship in the mundane, the routine, and the plodding. And on trains where I felt sick and tired.
Rooftops: The Sound of Vineyard Youth is one of the latest releases from Vineyard Records UK, and represents recordings of worship from 'Dreaming the Impossible' (DTI), which is Vineyard UK's youth conference. This album - with eleven songs in total - is a collection of new and classic worship sung at DTI, with a range of worship leaders including youth from around the Vineyard Movement. This latter part - letting youth lead and recording them - is something that makes this album rather special, raw and passionate, and blends well with the fresh sounds of new songs and the revitalising versions of old favourites.
The majority of songs are are lead by Dave Miller, one of the worship pastors at Trent Vineyard, but Joel Barber, Beth McNeil and Jake Bateson (all young people from around Vineyard UK) take the reigns on four of the ten songs (one is a remix). Dave is a great worship leader, and his new song, 'Jesus I Come to You' is a tune and lyrics feast that has me excited for the future of Vineyard songwriting in the UK. I also loved the version of 'Fiery Love', a song I'm not yet entirely convinced by, and haven't stopped playing the Dave-led rendition of 'When I Survey', which is up there as one of my favourite covers of that wonderful hymn.
The songs led by the youth are great. Joel Barber leads a great cover of Jeremy Riddle's 'Furious', and a song that was new to my ears, 'Forever Changed'. A real highlight for me was 'What Can I bring', led by Beth McNeil, which is a song that I think really captures the heart of Vineyard worship, focused on Jesus and our response to him, and a really powerful reflective match of music and lyrics. A classic Vineyard UK song - led by Beth and Jake Bateson - is 'Jesus Name', and I still love the lyrics to that, especially with the fresh coat of musical paint on offer here.
Overall, then (With the exception in my mind of the 'Ardent Al Remix' of 'Forever Changed', which isn't really my cup of tea), this is an album of quality worship, that demonstrates that young people can lead with skill and passion, and a collection of songs that are all about Jesus. As I've already said, I think this is vintage, genuine Vineyard - with some matured classics, some great new stuff, and the honourable inclusion of 'When I Survey' is a welcome reminder of the wonderful lyrics of the old Hymns. This year's DTI saw many return with wonderful stories of salvation, recommitment, and healing, and it is encouraging that this is connected with God-centered worship that (thanks to Vineyard Records UK and iTunes!) the rest of us can share in. In light of all this, I really recommend this album, and will be listening to it beyond Spring, I'm sure!
I reproduce below the promo from Vineyard Records UK, featuring Dave Miller, explaining what this album is about.
Rooftops: The Sound of Vineyard Youth is one of the latest releases from Vineyard Records UK, and represents recordings of worship from 'Dreaming the Impossible' (DTI), which is Vineyard UK's youth conference. This album - with eleven songs in total - is a collection of new and classic worship sung at DTI, with a range of worship leaders including youth from around the Vineyard Movement. This latter part - letting youth lead and recording them - is something that makes this album rather special, raw and passionate, and blends well with the fresh sounds of new songs and the revitalising versions of old favourites.
The majority of songs are are lead by Dave Miller, one of the worship pastors at Trent Vineyard, but Joel Barber, Beth McNeil and Jake Bateson (all young people from around Vineyard UK) take the reigns on four of the ten songs (one is a remix). Dave is a great worship leader, and his new song, 'Jesus I Come to You' is a tune and lyrics feast that has me excited for the future of Vineyard songwriting in the UK. I also loved the version of 'Fiery Love', a song I'm not yet entirely convinced by, and haven't stopped playing the Dave-led rendition of 'When I Survey', which is up there as one of my favourite covers of that wonderful hymn.
The songs led by the youth are great. Joel Barber leads a great cover of Jeremy Riddle's 'Furious', and a song that was new to my ears, 'Forever Changed'. A real highlight for me was 'What Can I bring', led by Beth McNeil, which is a song that I think really captures the heart of Vineyard worship, focused on Jesus and our response to him, and a really powerful reflective match of music and lyrics. A classic Vineyard UK song - led by Beth and Jake Bateson - is 'Jesus Name', and I still love the lyrics to that, especially with the fresh coat of musical paint on offer here.
Overall, then (With the exception in my mind of the 'Ardent Al Remix' of 'Forever Changed', which isn't really my cup of tea), this is an album of quality worship, that demonstrates that young people can lead with skill and passion, and a collection of songs that are all about Jesus. As I've already said, I think this is vintage, genuine Vineyard - with some matured classics, some great new stuff, and the honourable inclusion of 'When I Survey' is a welcome reminder of the wonderful lyrics of the old Hymns. This year's DTI saw many return with wonderful stories of salvation, recommitment, and healing, and it is encouraging that this is connected with God-centered worship that (thanks to Vineyard Records UK and iTunes!) the rest of us can share in. In light of all this, I really recommend this album, and will be listening to it beyond Spring, I'm sure!
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I reproduce below the promo from Vineyard Records UK, featuring Dave Miller, explaining what this album is about.
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