"Worship God Live" review

Listening to: Worship God Live



The latest CD from Sovereign Grace Music is a live recording from teh Worship God conference. The band is led by Bob Kauflin and Pat Sczebel, and includes a huge lineup from rock band to string sections.

While this is a live worship recording, the music is quite daring at times (opener "How Majestic" is quite a scorching rock rhythm, though the melody is much more "normal"). The recording quality is great for a live project, and clearly the vast array of musicians are very skilled. While the styles range from pop-rock to a much more "classic" corporate worship style, the sound is really quite fresh overall. It can slip into the twee at times to these cynical ears, but that's ok I think.

It's cathcy ("Endless Praises"), moving ("Perfect Lamb of God"), rousing ("You are the Way"). Two hymns are brought back to life on the CD- "O God Our Help in Ages Past" and "God Moves in a Mysterious Way". Both are done very well; particularly "God Moves" which I really enjoy very much. There are some great moments. "Perfect Lamb of God" particularly, is spine-tingling at the point when it hits the chorus. It chugs along in a Sting-like verse with a gently dancing violin, then almost without warning spirals into a driving chorus. The words are exquisite

Hail the perfect Lamb of God
A kingly ransom paid
When you, my Lord, were slain
Love unrivalled here displayed
Cause my heart to praise the perfect Lamb of God

Closing "Recieve the Glory" is suitably anthemic, pointing back to God's worthiness of glory and praise because of his faithful love. It's a great note to finish on.

Sometimes, the slightly oversized backing vocals team grates on me. I'd rather just hear Bob or Pat with the sound of the congregation behind them, or with one or two voices harmonising. I know that this is a matter of taste and style- it is a feature of most US-produced worship recordings, and I suppose I have to get used to the sound of 20 women singing in unison behind the main singer. As much as I don't really like it...

But the thing that stands out about this project is of course the lyrics. Sovereign Grace Music is first and foremost about biblical praise, theologically worthwhile lyrics and Christ-centred music. So there's really nothing on this album that you can point to and roll your eyes at the dodgy lyrics or loose theology. It's certainly a charismatic-sounding event- there's spontaneous sections, applause, rock guitars etc, but it's no surface experience. There's no hint of shallow emotionalism: it's all sold stuff! It's very refreshing to hear this. Worship God Live is grounded in Truth, executed in style, and all aimed at glorifying Jesus.