Music Review:  Salvation’s Tide is Running – Passion
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This studio album of new songs from the Passion artists was released on January 1, the day before the annual Passion conferences, rather than a live album being released a few months after the conferences had taken place, as in the past. The ten songs include two from Kristian Stanfill and Crowder, and one song from Chris Tomlin, Matt Redman, Brent Younker, Christy Nockels, Melodie Malone, and Passion newcomer Jimi Cravity. Tomlin, Redman and Crowder are among my favorite artists.

The songs are worship anthems that were easy to sing at the conferences. Here are a few thoughts about each of the songs:

Salvation’s Tide – written by Jason Ingram, Matt Maher, Kristian Stanfill and Brett Younker. Lead vocals are handled by Kristian Stanfill. A good opener, this is a powerful worship anthem:

Salvation’s Tide is rising
As all your people seek Your face
Your life a river flowing
To wash our sin and shame away

My Victory – Written by Hank Bentley, Ed Cash, Crowder and Darren Mulligan. Lead vocals are handled by Crowder. Features more of a Passion band sound than Crowder’s usual “folktronica” sound. It starts slow and then builds to a powerful chorus and the line “A cross meant to kill is my victory”.  Amen!

Remember – Written by Crowder, Mattias Franda, Oliver Lundstrom, Solomon Olds, Brett Younker and Johan Asgarde. Lead vocals are handled by Brett Younker. A big power anthem about remembering during our darkest days in the valley that the grave is empty and Jesus is alive. As Tony Campolo used to say, “It’s Friday, but Sunday’s coming!”

God and God Alone – Written by Jason Ingram, Jonas Myrin and Chris Tomlin. Lead vocals are handled by Chris Tomlin. Opens with an acoustic guitar and has a bit of his “Good Good Father” song feel to it. It is sung to the Lord that He is forever God and God alone, and forever seated on His throne. Nothing can separate us from the amazing love of the God in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:39). Every knee will eventually bow down to the Lord. This has the sound of another of Tomlin’s classic songs for the church.

Simple Pursuit – Written by Sam Bailey, Ben Cantelon, Nick Herbert and Matt Redman. Lead vocals are handled by Melodie Malone, who handled “Forever” on the 2015 Passion album Even So Come. This song of worship ballad begins slow with piano and strings and then powerfully builds. It is a prayer to take us back to a simple pursuit of God, and an unswerving faith in the power of His name.

I Turn to Christ – Written by Jonas Myrin and Matt Redman. Lead vocals are handled by Matt Redman. A mid-tempo song with light guitar, keyboards and drums. He sings of turning to Christ alone, surrendering and living for Him alone.

Your Grace Amazes Me – Written by Daniel Carson, Jason Ingram and Christy Nockels. Lead vocals are handled by Christy Nockels, opening with keyboards, and then building with bass and drums. It’s a new twist on thoughts expressed in John Newton’s beloved hymn “Amazing Grace”. Sung to the Lord as we stand in awe; there is nowhere else we can run but to His arms.

All We Sinners – Written by Ed Cash and Crowder. Lead vocals are handled by Crowder. Begins and ends with acoustic guitar. A triumphant song that starts slow and then builds. The keys to the grave have been stolen and the gates of heaven are open.

Surrender – Written and lead vocals are handled by Jimi Cravity, who I was previously not familiar with. The Atlanta worship leaders is a singer, songwriter, musician and producer. This song is musically creative and unlike any of the other songs on the album.

I am transformed in your image
From glory to glory
Your blood has bought my redemption
And I, I surrender

Good Good Father – Written by Pat Barrett and Tony Brown. Lead vocals are handled by Kristian Stanfill. I thought that this was an interesting choice to include on the album, especially since Chris Tomlin’s version has been near the top of the Christian charts for several weeks and there are other versions of the song out there as well.

This is another fine album of worship songs from the Passion artists.

Music News:

• Good Good Father. Watch Chris Tomlin perform his chart-topping song “Good Good Father” at the Ryman Auditorium during his Grand Ole Opry debut on December 4.
• Steve Taylor and the Danielson Foil. One of my all-time favorite artists, Steve Taylor, will release Wow to the Deadness as Steve Taylor and the Danielson Foil on February 5.
• Beatles Music Debuts on Streaming Services. On Christmas Eve, the Beatles’ music — 224 songs across 13 studio albums — was added to nine streaming services, including Spotify, Apple Music, Google Play, Tidal and Amazon Prime.
• The Beatles in HD. With the release of The Beatles 1+ video collection, the official Beatles YouTube channel has been uploaded with HD videos of some of their classic performances.

Music Quotes:

• Don’t forget that a new year doesn’t guarantee a new you. Growth won’t be any easier this year. We still need grace and grind! Trip Lee

• EVERYONE is guilty in Gods eyes, yet he still loves us, sacrifices, and absorbs. Can we follow suit? Lecrae

Surrender by Jimi Cravity

I was not familiar with Cravity until this song was included in the new Passion album Salvation’s Tide is Rising. The Atlanta worship leader is a singer, songwriter, musician and producer who has produced records for artists such as Ludacris, Akon, Jordan Morris, and Alien Ant Farm. Listen to the song here.

You’re every beat of my heart
And every breath in my lungs
Is yours
Lord, every day of my life
Every dream in my mind
Is yours
From glory to glory
I am transformed in your image
From glory to glory
Your blood has bought my redemption
And I, I surrender
I surrender
I surrender
And I, I surrender
I surrender
I surrender
Lord, I am your vessel here
I’ll be your horse now
On the earth, the earth
Lord, let your kingdom come
And let your will be done
Make me your witness
From glory to glory
I am transformed in your image
From glory to glory
Your blood has bought my redemption
And I, I surrender
I surrender
I surrender
And I, I surrender
I surrender
I surrender
Who may ascend (King of Glory)
Who may ascend (Lord Almighty)
Who may ascend (Everlasting)
Who may ascend (Lord)
And I, I surrender
I surrender
I surrender