Coram Deo ~

Looking at contemporary culture from a Christian worldview

MUSIC REVIEWS and NEWS

Leave a comment

Live from the Forum MMXVIII – Eagles
****

This new live album – it is available in multiple formats, including Blu-Ray video, digital, vinyl and audio CD, and was shown as a concert film on ESPN over the July 4 weekend – was filmed/recorded September 12, 14 and 15, 2018 at the Forum in Inglewood, California. My wife Tammy and I had seen the Eagles on the same tour just a few weeks earlier, on July 26, at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C.
The album is the first release to feature the new Eagles, with Vince Gill and Deacon Frey, replacing founding member Glenn Frey, who died in 2016. Gill and Frey join Don Henley, Joe Walsh and Timothy B. Schmidt as they perform classic Eagles songs, as well as Henley, Gill and Walsh solo hits – 26 songs.
From the first harmonies of the opener “Seven Bridges Road”, you’ll realize that this band, though formed 49 years ago (Henley is the only surviving founding member) is still at the top of their game. Deacon sings a few of his father’s songs (“Take it Easy”, “Peaceful Easy Feeling”), while Gill takes the lead on “Lyin’ Eyes” and “Take it to the Limit”).
If you enjoy the music of the Eagles, you’ll love this new live recording.

Click on ‘Continue reading’ for:

  • A review of Still, Vol. 1 by Michael W. Smith
  • Music News
  • Song of the Week Lyrics

Still, Vol. 1 – Michael W. Smith
**

I’ve enjoyed Michael W. Smith’s music since his debut album in 1983. Now 63, he has done just about everything in music, from pop, worship, instrumental, movie soundtrack, Christmas, etc. Still Vol. 1 is a very different Michael W. Smith album, and though I give him credit for trying something different, it won’t be everyone’s “cup of tea”, and it’s sadly my least favorite of Smith’s albums.
The album provides an “atmospheric listening experience of improvisational music” along with Smith reading scripture on the first five tracks. The final five are all instrumental. His prayer for the project “is that this music will help the listener find moments to meditate with scripture.” Smith describes Still as a worship album that is more for individuals during their personal quiet times. There are also videos on Smith’s YouTube channel that accompany each song.
I believe the album will be enjoyed most during listener’s daily devotional and prayer time, or as quiet background music.


  • Who Am I (new version). Enjoy this new version of “Who Am I” from NEEDTOBREATHE, featuring Elle King.
  • Always in a Rush. Watch the video for Andy Mineo’s new song “Always in a Rush”.
  • Crushing Snakes: Showdown. Watch the animated video for “Crushing Snakes” by Crowder, featuring TAYA.
  • Self Discovery (Live Session). Watch this live version of “Self Discovery” by Lecrae, shot in Atlanta at the National Center for Civil and Human Rights.
  • Kristyn Getty on Evensong. Kristyn Getty recently joined the Eric Metaxas Show to talk about Keith and Kristyn Getty’s new album Evensong, which recently hit #1 on the Billboard Children’s Albums chart, replacing Frozen 2.

  Psalm 150 (Praise the Lord) by Matt Boswell and Matt Papa
This week’s song of the week is “Psalm 150 (Praise the Lord)”, written and performed by Matt Boswell and Matt Papa, and recorded live at the recent Sing! Global Conference. Watch the performance here.

You made the starry hosts
You traced the mountain peaks
You paint the evening sky with wonders
The earth, it is Your throne
From desert to the sea
All nature testifies Your splendor

CHORUS
Praise the Lord
Praise the Lord
Sing His greatness
All creation
Praise the Lord
Raise your voice
You heights and all you depths
From furthest east to west
Let everything that has breath
Praise the Lord

You reached into the dust
In love, Your Spirit breathed
You formed us in Your very likeness
To know Your wondrous works
To tell Your mighty deeds
To join the everlasting chorus

CHORUS

Let symphonies resound
Let drums and choirs ring out
All heaven hear the sound of worship
Let every nation bring
Its honors to the King
A roar of harmonies eternal

FINAL CHORUS
Praise the Lord
Praise the Lord
Sing His greatness
All creation
Praise the Lord
Raise your voice
You heights and all you depths
From furthest east to west
You distant burning stars
All creatures near and far
From sky to sea to shore
Sing out forevermore
Let everything that has breath
Praise the Lord

Author: Bill Pence

I’m Bill Pence – married to my best friend Tammy, a graduate of Covenant Seminary, St. Louis Cardinals fan, formerly a manager at a Fortune 50 organization, and in leadership at my local church. I am a life-long learner and have a passion to help people develop, and to use their strengths to their fullest potential. I am an INTJ on Myers-Briggs, 3 on the Enneagram, my top five Strengthsfinder themes are: Belief, Responsibility, Learner, Harmony, and Achiever, and my two StandOut strength roles are Creator and Equalizer. My favorite book is the Bible, with Romans my favorite book of the Bible, and Colossians 3:23 and 2 Corinthians 5:21 being my favorite verses. Some of my other favorite books are The Holiness of God and Chosen by God by R.C. Sproul, and Don’t Waste Your Life by John Piper. I enjoy music in a variety of genres, including modern hymns, Christian hip-hop and classic rock. My book Called to Lead: Living and Leading for Jesus in the Workplace and Tammy’s book Study, Savor and Share Scripture: Becoming What We Behold are available in paperback and Kindle editions on Amazon. amazon.com/author/billpence amazon.com/author/tammypence

Leave a Reply