Already with seventeen albums to her name(!), it is surprising that her eighteenth represents my introduction to Nashville-based Sandra McCracken’s music. And what a great album this is, with Sandra’s ‘backwoods Americana’ vocals well to the fore and supported by a cracking band delivering superbly delivered and sympathetically arranged piano-led accompaniments. As I listened to her clearly sung and well written scripture-based lyrics I was reminded of Iris DeMent’s pure and clear voice and accent – she is the sort of singer whose personality seems to become apparent as you listen. Despite Sandra’s delivery style, this is not an Americana album – the ten songs here combine gospel, folk, country, and even contemporary cool jazz. With instrumental breaks allowing individual musicians to shine, sound quality is excellent and has a ‘recorded live in the studio’ feel. Things kick off with the almost seven minute bluesy/jazzy ‘Send Out Your Light’, with piano, bass, drums and brass and an extended improvised instrumental piano break towards the end. ‘I will sing’ is mid-paced pop ccm, then ‘Trinity Song’ (“bind us together in holy love”) features a slow, simple melody and lyrics. ‘Thy Mercy, My God’ (“Thy mercy is more than a match for my heart”) comes next, with a top notch solo piano accompaniment. Then comes ‘We will feast in the house of Zion’ (“we will sing, our hearts restored”) which features effective harmony bvs. The upbeat and bouncy ‘Hold to God’s unchanging hand’ brings strummed acoustic guitar to the mix, whilst an electric guitar is heard in the gospelly ‘Call upon Him’ (“there is power in the Name”). The slow and reflective ‘Have mercy’ (“oh Lord, have mercy”) follows, and then comes my standout track ‘Christ is the life of the world’, featuring a particularly creative accompaniment and superb acoustic bass playing that takes a lead towards the end. The lovely slow ballad closer ‘Until He comes again’ is a ‘holy communion’ song with an emphasis on Christ’s return, and features support from Andrew Osenga. On the strength of this excellent release I am about to check out Sandra’s considerable back catalogue. Comfortably worth a full 10/10. Dave Deeks
The pandemic forced us all to minister in different ways and as a result, Deeper Fellowship Church began streaming for the first time. Their worship team, Deeper Worship, led to an empty room for 15 months and brought new passion and dimension of faith to songs such as Hillsong’s ‘I Surrender’, Elevation Worship’s ‘Here As In Heaven’, Cody Carnes’ ‘Nothing Else’ and Jesus Culture’s ‘In The River’. This time also birthed some of the most dynamic and impactful experiences for Deeper Worship and they began recording these precious encounters.
‘Rivers: Sunday Mornings Live’ oozes with the powerful presence of God. Deeper Worship is the free-flowing expression of Deeper Fellowship Church, led by award-winning gospel artist Pastor William McDowell.
Returning to God is an everyday call. It’s a constant direction to head in and a daily posture, but now more than ever, what is needed is simple devotion. Gas Street Music introduce their newest single ‘Return To You’, a response to the global chaos of the last few years experienced through our own lives and communities. We can find ourselves feeling tired, weak and vulnerable and out of this place, we easily strive. ‘Return To You’ encourages us to hear the Father calling us to greater surrender, to return to our greatest love, to give him all of our worship. Let this new single be the song of our hearts in these complex days. “I will give them a heart to know me, that I am the Lord. They will be my people, and I will be their God, for they will return to me with all their heart.” Jeremiah 24:7
Sandra McCracken‘s EP ‘Duets (Canyon Sessions)’ releases a couple weeks after her very first book, Send Out Your Light, from B&H Publishing. The EP includes two acoustic guitar driven duets recorded at Laity Lodge, a beautiful retreat centre in the hill country of Texas, and a never before released live version of ‘Trinity Song’ featuring All Sons & Daughters. Ashley Cleveland features on the track ‘Send Out Your Light,’ combining her powerful blues vocals to Sandra’s distinct voice and giving the song an especially emotive and sincere quality. Based on Psalm 43, the piece asks very honest questions and leads both singer and listener to God, looking to and trusting Him for guidance. ‘Patient Kingdom’ features Vito from The Welcome Wagon – an additional voice filled with sweet sincerity. The sound of this song embodies what it’s about: when there are things we don’t know we can affirm praise to God, in humility ask Him questions, and cultivate Kingdom patience. May ‘Duets (Canyon Sessions)’ bring you hope and light.
Vineyard Worship release ‘Prayer of Consecration’, an atmospheric new single featuring vocalist Olu Meduoye centred around the call to surrender to the Lordship of Jesus. The song draws us to recognise holiness as a joyful dimension – the beauty of oneness with the Divine where yielding one’s life to Christ is synonymous with life to the full. In a world of confusion and desperate need for meaning, ‘Prayer of Consecration’ invites the listener into a meditative and life-giving journey as co-writer Jonny Riggs (Coastline Vineyard Bournemouth) explains, “the lyrics are a prayer of aspiration rather than a confident declaration – it’s an opportunity to surrender afresh, offering God the dry wood of our lives in the hope that He might breathe on us, that we would be aflame, set apart for Him.”‘Prayer of Consecration’ points to the mind-blowing invitation to relationship with God and gives language to respond to Him. Whilst challenging lyrics acknowledge our undeserving nature, the sacred love and grace of God are weaved in at its core. The new single came in a time of honest dialogue with God and Vineyard Worship’s hope is for this language to encourage prayerful conversation. “We’re not simply trying to ‘be consecrated’, but we’re bringing God our all and asking Him to respond,” Jonny continues. Co-written and produced by Rich di Castiglione, ‘Prayer of Consecration’ opens a spacious soundscape with a delicate instrumental background that carry Olu’s authentic and stunning voice. Still, beyond its essence of quiet devotion, the new Vineyard Worship song captures undeniable power. And perhaps that is the main point after all; consecration is giving up our own delusional control to receive God’s endless power…
‘Light Has Come’ came from Sarah Kroger‘s desire to write some Christmas songs from her heart in 2021. Initially, the idea was to name her Christmas tour ‘Light Has Come’, but it opened up a new depth of inspiration when the singer-songwriter sat down to write around the concept. Drawing inspiration from the Canticle of Zechariah, Sarah Kroger translated the eternal promises into a new song of hope and joy for the festive period.
In the tender compassion of our God, the dawn from on high shall break upon us, to shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, and to guide our feet into the way of peace.‘Light Has Come’ proclaims that as it did two-thousand years ago, light will always come! The light will always shine in the darkness!
The Sing Team take another unique take on a traditional Christmas song with frontman Brian Eichelberger’s sweet voice disarming and inviting the listener to join in the well-known melody. ‘Do You Hear What I Hear’ is sprinkled with horns and a chorus of voices you’d anticipate in a Christmas carol, but with a gospel choir flair. The song builds to a joyful celebration and by the end, you can feel the anticipation of the hope of Christmas in your bones! ‘Do You Hear What I Hear‘ is a prayer for peace, and recognition of the hope that has come:
Listen to what I say
Pray for peace people everywhere
Listen to what I say
The Child, the Child, sleeping in the nightHe will bring us goodness and light.
Never for Nothing 