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Stoke on Trent, Staffordshire, United Kingdom
Broadcaster, musician, song writer, tea drinker and curry lover.

Wednesday, February 4, 2009

CompassionArt - the cd

I'm sure many people will know that this album has arisen out of a vision Delirious? frontman Martin Smith had along with his wife Anna to see some of the world's top worship songwriters come together and create music they could give away to help the poorest of the poor.

The songs were written during a week in Scotland in January 2008, while the bulk of the record was put together at Abbey Road studios in London little more than a month later.

The project is by definition unique. 14 songs with no real writing credits and all publishing and royalties going to CompassionArt nominated charities.

One thing that many of the participants noticed during the writing process was that, perhaps due to the nature of the venture, what they were creating seemed to be among the most anointed work they had ever been involved with and virtually all are quoted as saying that this was a lifetime highlight.

To summarize, the songs were written between Smith, his Delirious? cohort Stu Garrard, Steven Curtis Chapman, Andy Park, Chris Tomlin, Paul Baloche, Matt Redman, Darlene Zschech, Tim Hughes, Graham Kendrick, Israel Houghton and Michael W Smith.

Guest vocalists include Cece Winans, Joel Houston, tobymac, Leeland Mooring and Kirk Franklin.

The extent to which the anointing of God is evident in the songs is extremely clear, since this is one of the strongest collections of songs ever assembled on one cd.

For the above reason it would be hard to single out one song, but I am going to talk about just a few that are particularly magnificent.

Church worship leaders will want to investigate opener "Come To The Water", which features Chris Tomlin and Martin Smith over a rollicking backing track.

"Shout Praise" with an inimitable Israel Houghton vocal over a funky groove is followed by the Brit attack of Matt Redman and Tim Hughes joined by Joel Houston on "King Of Wonders", another song that churches will love.

Special mention should be made of "Highly Favored" with a Michael W. Smith/Amy Grant duet, "Fill My Cup" with the amazing combination of Martin Smith, Cece Winans and the Lakewood Choir, and album closer "There Is Always A Song".

However, the total highpoint for me is "Lead Me To The Rock" with a Paul Baloche vocal over a track that wouldn't sound out of place on a Delirious? record. The song is quite simply one of the best I have ever heard in my life. A thunderous chorus and a song which builds to a floor shaking climax.

In truth every song on here is a winner, and even if not entirely to your taste, still worth buying as the cause is so good. While you're at it, buy the book "The Art Of Compassion" as well. That features all 12 main songwriters contributing a chapter of their own perspective on the project.

In short, buy the cd and the book and visit www.compassionart.tv to find about one of the most important projects Christian Music has ever seen.

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