New CDs for encouragement and worship

Straight from her heart

Jill Paquette: Jill Paquette Reunion Records, 2003.

Jill Paquette, a Tennessee singer/ songwriter, cut this self-titled CD, co-produced by Phil Madeira, Stephen Rendall and Eldon Winter in 2003. Her original music and vocal lyrics are supported by herself on guitar and piano and varied groupings of other musicians. Paquette has a beautiful, lyrical, folk-style quality to her pure and haunting voice. This is a high quality production with a folk pop feel. The background vocals give a great harmonic balance.

The lyrics are filled with raw emotion as Paquette shares her feelings and laments with real sincerity and straight from her heart. She cries out to God in earnest prayers, some containing scriptural references. I would recommend this album to anyone who enjoys contemporary music in a folk style.

For the worship collection

John Tesh: A Deeper Faith II Media collective, 2003. City on a Hill: The Gathering Essential Records, 2003.

Emmy-winning musician John Tesh’s A Deeper Faith II, which follows his successful A Deeper Faith album, produced a year earlier, features such well-known worship songs as “We fall down,” “God of wonders,” and “Hungry.” The CD comes with a devotional book, The power of prayer and worship: an invitation to a deeper faith.

I enjoyed the creative vocal/instrumental mixing in each track, each different in character. Tesh sings lead on one cut and vocalists Kim Keys, Michael Mellett, Lisa Bevill, Gene Miller, Erin O’Donnell and Leann Albrecht take turns with others. The instrumentation is varied and interesting; Tesh is known for his keyboard abilities.

City on a Hill: The Gathering is the fourth CD project of this group of musicians since its beginning in 2000. This compilation features original music and some hymn remixes of contemporary Christian music’s best artists: Caedman’s Call, FFH, Glassbyrd, Sara Groves, Jars of Clay, Bebo Norman, Ginny Owens, Paul Colman Trio, Andrew Peterson, Silers Bald, Sixpence None The Richer, and the Choir. The musical styles, though varied, are a folk rock mix, with a very interesting combination of synthesized and acoustic instrumentation. The album’s theme is the community of believers, and titles include “Come thou fount of every blessing,” “Instrument of peace,” Marvelous light,” “Holy is the Lord,” “Kyrie Eleison” and “Jesus went to the garden.”

I highly recommend these CDs for your worship album collection. They are produced to draw you closer to the Lord. Both offer high-quality music and thought-provoking lyrics.

Two great male bands

Paul Colman Trio: One Essential Records, 2003. Everman: Everman BEC, 2003.

The Paul Colman Trio (PC3) consists of Paul Colman on lead vocals, guitars, piano and keyboards, Phil Gaudion on drums, percussion and backing vocals, and Grant Norsworthy on bass and backup vocals. Colman wrote all the music, assisted by the other two members on a few tracks. This group is well-known in the contemporary music world and offers a sound with a wide appeal. They have been involved in City on a Hill projects.

The music on One (Essential Records, 2003) is very singable, with a light rock feel and fun, driving rhythm. The themes presented are encouragement to the Christian believer to live out a stronger deeper walk of faith. The songs speak with realism and emotion, yet are poetic in nature. This group held my musical interest and kept me focussed on the thought-provoking lyrics.

Everman, a band made up of Brad Miles on vocals, Marcus Yoars on guitar and vocals, Glen Kimberlin on Bass and Chris Brush on drums and percussion, also held my attention with its skillfully crafted musical style. I found myself compelled to sing along on Everman (BEC 2003), even on the first hearing. Miles and Yoars have co-written all the music, assisted by others in two of the selections. The album has a variety of music styles: wonderful original contemporary worship songs and heartfelt ballads, all contemporary in nature, with a rock pop feel.

Carol Riediger is a registered music teacher and attends Central Community Church, Chilliwack, B.C.