Sing! Global: Live at the Getty Music Conference – Keith and Kristyn Getty and Friends
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The latest album from Keith and Kristyn Getty’s Sing! Getty Music Conferences was recorded live at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville and around the world. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the conference was held online, rather than live in Nashville as in past years. The nineteen tracks feature a mix of new and old songs, and artists including Keith and Kristyn Getty, Matt Boswell, Matt Papa, CityAlight, Steven Curtis Chapman, Shane & Shane, Matt Redman, Sandra McCracken and others. I most enjoyed the new songs “Christ Our Hope in Life and Death”, “Lovingkindness”, “Psalm 150”, “The Everlasting Love of God”, “Christ the True and Better” as well as Sandra McCracken’s “We Will Feast in the House of Zion”, featuring H.B. Charles Jr.
Below are a few comments about each song:

Click on ‘Continue reading’ for:

• More of this review and a review of Zoom In (EP) by Ringo Starr
• Music News
• Song of the Week Lyrics – Psalm 42 (Loudest Praise) by Shane and Shane

Christ Our Hope in Life and Death – This song was written by Keith Getty, Matt Boswell, Jordan Kauflin, Matt Merker and Matt Papa, and features Matt Boswell, Matt Papa, Jordan Kauflin and Matt Merker. It was my top song of 2020.

Psalm 150 (Praise the Lord) – This song was written by and features Matt Boswell and Matt Papa.

Habla, Oh Dios (Speak O Lord) – This song was written by Keith Getty and Stuart Townend. It features Iglesia Bautista Ozama singing “Speak O Lord” in Spanish.

Lovingkindness – This song was written by and features Matt Boswell, Matt Papa, and Matt Redman.

Psalm 121 (I Lift My Eyes) – This song was written by Kristyn Getty, Jordan Kauflin, Matt Merker, and Matt Papa, and features Jordan Kauflin and Matt Merker.

The Lord Is in His Holy Temple – This song was written by Kristyn Getty and Ben Shive, and was included on the 2020 album Evensong: Hymns And Lullabies At The Close Of Day.

Yesu – This song was written by Kwagala Price and Sidney Kalanje, and features the African Children’s Choir.

My Worth Is Not in What I Own (At the Cross) – This song was written by Keith Getty, Kristyn Getty and Graham Kendrick, and features We are Messengers.

Every Promise of Your Word – This song was written by Keith Getty and Stuart Townend, and features the Getty Girls.

A Mighty Fortress Is Our God – This hymn was written by Martin Luther, and features Tommy Bailey.

Lift High the Name of Jesus – This song was written by Keith Getty, Kristyn Getty, Ed Cash and Fionan De Barra, and features the Getty Girls.

The Everlasting Love of God – This song was written by and features Matt Boswell and Matt Papa and Matt Redman, and features Matt Boswell and Matt Papa.

Christ the True and Better – This song was written by Matt Boswell, Keith Getty, and Matt Papa, and features Matt Boswell and Matt Papa.

Across the Lands – This song was written by Keith Getty and Stuart Townend.   Speak O Lord – This song was written by Keith Getty and Stuart Townend, and features Shane and Shane and Blair Linne.

Grace – This song was written by Niki Shepherd, Jonny Robinson and Rich Thompson, and features CityAlight.

Great is Thy Faithfulness/My Redeemer Is Faithful and True – “Great Is Thy Faithfulness” was written by Thomas Chisholm and William M. Runyan. “My Redeemer Is Faithful and True” was written by Steven Curtis Chapman and James Isaac Elliott. The song features Steven Curtis Chapman and John Piper.

There Is a Higher Throne – This song was written by Keith and Kristyn Getty.

We Will Feast in the House of Zion – This song was written by Sandra McCracken and Joshua Moore, and features Sandra McCracken and H.B. Charles Jr.

Sing! Global 2021 will be held online and in person in Nashville September 12-15. See here for more information and to register.

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Zoom In (EP) – Ringo Starr
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The music of the Beatles was very important to me in my childhood, and I’ve continued to enjoy the group’s music, as well as their solo albums, ever since. It’s hard to believe that the band broke up 51 years ago in April, 1970.
Ringo Starr, along with Paul McCartney are the two living members of the band. Starr, who is now 80 years old, has said that his 2019 album What’s My Name, will be his final full-length album. In the future, he will only release EPs. Zoom In is a five-song EP, recorded at Starr’s home studio during the 2020 pandemic lockdown. The five songs include familiar themes from Starr’s music – good times, memories, friends, encouragement, peace and love. Zoom In will be enjoyed by Beatles and Ringo fans.
Here are a few brief comments about each song:

Here’s to the Nights – This song was written by Diane Warren and produced by Ringo and Bruce Sugar. The song features a number of guest artists on backing vocals, including fellow Beatle Paul McCartney, Joe Walsh and Sheryl Crow. This is a sentimental song about memories, mistakes and friends. The song features guitar from Steve Lukather of Toto, who is also a member of Ringo’s touring All-Starr Band.
Key lyric:
Here’s to the nights we won’t remember
With the friends we won’t forget
May we think of them forever
As the days that were the best

Zoom In, Zoom Out – This catchy song was written by Jeff Silbar and Robert Joe Turley III, and produced by Ringo and Bruce Sugar. It’s one of the better songs that Ringo has made over the past several albums and the best song on this new release. Watch the video for the song here. It’s about getting a new perspective. Everything is possible. Love is what it’s all about. The song features drums, bass, piano, guitar and backing vocals.
Key lyric:
If we could only see through each other’s eyes
Imagine what could happen (Imagine what could happen)

Teach Me to Tango – This song was written by Ringo, Grant Michaels and Sam Hollander, and produced by Michaels and Hollander. The feel-good song has a nice beat driven by drums, horns, guitar, backing vocals and throw away lyrics. It’s about living it up until you get what you want.
Key lyric:
Just hitch a ride with your favorite drummer
Pay no mind where we end up

Waiting for the Tide to Turn – This reggae flavored song was written and produced by Ringo and Bruce Sugar. The song is about the power of music to help you during difficult times as you are waiting for things to get better. The song features drums, horns, keys, guitar and backing vocals.
Key lyric:
There is light at the end of the tunnel
There is hope with the rising sun

Not Enough Love in the World – This easy-going song was written by Steve Lukather and Joseph Williams and produced by Ringo and Bruce Sugar. The song returns to peace and love, familiar themes in Ringo’s music. He references having to stay inside during the pandemic lockdown, and offers encouragement not to give up and close your heart. The song features drums, horns, a guitar solo, and backing vocals.
Key lyric:
Every night
I pray for some kinder time
Do we figure it out in time?
The time’s coming soon

Best songs
Here’s to the Nights
Zoom In, Zoom Out

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• Switchfoot at Petco Park. Watch Switchfoot’s entire 2021 concert at San Diego’s Petco Park.
• The Best-Known Hymn in History: Why We Keep Singing “The Doxology”. David Mathis writes “The greatest realities about God and his world, when understood aright, can be captured in the humblest of terms, even as they are bottomless in their depth. And yet we find an enduring quality in “The Doxology” absent from many of our passing modern choruses.”
• Love That Wilt Not Let Me Go. Enjoy this performance of “O Love That Wilt Not Let Me Go” by Keith Getty, Kristyn Getty and Dana Masters.
• Fluorescent. Watch the video for “Fluorescent” from Switchfoot.

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Psalm 42 (Loudest Praise) – Shane and Shane

This week’s song of the week is “Psalm 42 (Loudest Praise) by Shane and Shane from their forthcoming album Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs, Vol. 1 to be released July 23. Watch the video for the song here.

As the deer pants for the water
So my soul pants for You
All my tears have been my fodder
Day and night my only food
Oh my soul you feel forgotten
Put your hope in Christ alone
As the deer longs for the water
So my soul longs to be home
Come thou fount of living water
Tune my heart to bless Your name
Streams of trouble never ceasing
Call for songs of loudest praise
As the deep cries out for answers
As Your waves crash over me
Let Your goodness, like a fetter
Bind my broken heart to Thee
In the night Your song is with me
Day by day You hold me fast
Oh my soul hope in Jesus
You shall praise your God at last
Deep calls to deep
Waves of unbelief
Breakers crash and bring me
Falling to my knees
It goes on and on
Where is my God
My salvation is in You and You alone