Coram Deo ~

Looking at contemporary culture from a Christian worldview


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MUSIC REVIEWS and NEWS

Meanwhile – Eric Clapton
***

Meanwhile is the latest album from Eric Clapton, whose career spans more than six decades, during which he has achieved success both as a solo artist and as a member of legendary bands like The Yardbirds, Cream and Derek and the Dominos. The new album includes six newly released songs and eight previously released singles, including collaborations with Jeff Beck, Van Morrison and others.

Here are a few brief comments about each song:

Click on ‘Continue reading’ for:

  • More of this review and a review of I Love Jesus by Mac Powell
  • Music News
  • Song of the Week Lyrics ~ “All My Boast is in Jesus” by Matt Papa, Bryan Fowler and Keith Getty

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MUSIC REVIEWS and NEWS

House of David: Music Inspired from the Prime Video Original Series (Season One) – Various Artists
***

This project features songs inspired by the new House of David series on Prime Video, which tells the story of the ascent of the biblical figure, David, who becomes the most celebrated king of Israel.
The album features some excellent artists. My favorite songs are “40”, the 1983 U2 song covered by for KING + COUNTRY, “I’ve Got a Story” by NEEDTOBREATHE and Tori Kelly, “Take Courage My Heart” by Drew Holcomb and Ellie Holcomb, and “After Your Heart” by Chris Tomlin.
Among the other artists on the album are Lecrae, Anne Wilson, Tasha Cobbs Leonard, and Blessing Offor.

Click on ‘Continue reading’ for:
 More of this review and a review of NEEDTOBREATHE
 Music News
 Song of the Week Lyrics ~ Heaven on My Mind by TobyMac and Forrest Frank Continue reading


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MUSIC REVIEWS and NEWS

Music Review:
Every Kind of Uh-Oh by Charlie Peacock
***

I’ve long been a fan of multi-talented (singer/songwriter, producer, author) six-time Grammy award winner Charlie Peacock’s music, back to his West Coast Diaries cassettes in the late 1980’s. Every Kind of Uh-Oh is his latest vocal album of ten new songs all written in a two-week period, which he co-produced with his son Sam Ashworth.

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  • More of this review and a review of The Still Point by Sandra McCracken and Ben Shive
  • Music News
  • Song of the Week Lyrics ~ “The First Hymn” by Chris Tomlin and Ben Fielding

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A New Song About the Value of Our Work

One of my passions is writing and speaking about the value of our work. How Christians do their work for the Lord, serving Him, no matter what that work is.
Recently, CityAlight released a new five song EP, titled Hear the Hallelujahs Roar. One of the songs on the project is titled “My Labour Is Not In Vain”, a beautiful song written by Jonny Robinson, Rich Thompson, Tiarne Tranter and Michael Farren, with Tranter singing lead vocals.
The first verse of the song is:
My work in Christ is not in vain
My labor will not fail
For when I toil in Jesus’ name
His purpose will prevail

This verse is based on 1 Corinthians 15:58, which reads:

Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.

It is of such comfort to know that the work we do in Christ is not in vain. Some believe that it is only the work of a pastor or missionary that is of value, but that is not the case at all. All work done serving the Lord is of value.

The second verse of the song is:

The tasks that You have set for me
I may not understand
Yet I will follow where You lead
I trust Your sovereign hand

Have you ever felt that the work you were doing was of no value, that it was worthless? You may not understand why the Lord has you doing that work, but we are to trust him and follow Him where He leads us.

The chorus of the song is:

So may all I do, be it great or small
Bring glory to Your name
In Your grace alone I will carry on
Your promise to me remains
My labour is not in vain

The chorus brings 1 Corinthians 15:58 and 1 Corinthians 10:31 together. 1 Corinthians 10:31 reads:

So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

That verse is similar to Colossians 3:23, one of my favorites regarding our work, which reads:

Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.

The remaining two verses encourage us to seek the lost, just as the Lord searched for us, to persevere, for soon we will be home at rest in our work, complete in Him.

This is a wonderful new song about our work, be it great or small. May all we do bring glory to His name. Our labor is not in vain.  You can watch the video for the song here.


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MUSIC REVIEWS and NEWS

Sing! The Songs of the Bible (Live from the Getty Music Worship Conference) – Keith & Kristyn Getty
****

A live album is released after each of the Sing! Getty Music Worship Conferences held in Nashville. The album from the 2024 conference, which had a theme of “The Songs of the Bible”, was produced by Nathan Nockels. It features performances from Keith & Kristyn Getty, Matt Boswell, The Choir Room, Cochren & Co, Bryan Fowler, Jordan Kauflin, Sandra McCracken, Matt Papa, Skye Peterson, Shane and Shane, Ben Shive, Michael W. Smith, Sovereign Grace Music, and Laura Story. Nine songs were released in advance of the full album.

Click on ‘Continue reading’ for:

  • More of this review and In Bloom by Jon Foremen
  • Music News
  • Song of the Week Lyrics – “Heaven on My Mind” by TobyMac

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MUSIC REVIEWS and NEWS

Hear the Hallelujahs Roar (EP) – CityAlight
****

The latest project from Australia’s CityAlight is wonderful five-song EP Hear the Hallelujahs Roar. The songs are a nice balance of upbeat and more slower songs for congregational singing.
Here are a few comments about each song:

Hear the Hallelujahs Roar – This upbeat song about worshipping the Lord in Heaven, was written by Niki Shepherd & Natasha Percy. The song features guitar, drums, bass, backing vocals, and keys.
Key lyric:
A song of praise is rising
From every tribe and tongue
O hear the hallelujahs roar
To Christ the worthy one

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  • More of this review and a review of Psalm 119 Volume One (EP) – Stillcreek
  • Music News
  • Song of the Week Lyrics ~ “Psalm 27 (The Lord Is My Light)”

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MUSIC REVIEWS and NEWS

Music Review:
Cover Story – Russ Taff
****

I have long been a fan of Russ Taff. The six-time Grammy-winner’s latest album is Cover Story. The album chronicles Taff’s life journey of recovery and redemption via strong performances of songs by Bob Dylan, U2, Simon and Garfunkel, Prince, and many more.
The album was produced by John Mark Painter, with Steve Taylor serving as executive producer. Matt Wallace mixed the album. Taff is supported by an all-star band of session superstars including Painter, guitarist Kenny Vaughan, keyboardists Blair Masters and Phil Madeira. I especially liked the use of horns and a gospel choir on the album. The album is sure to find it’s way on my best albums of 2025 list.
Incredibly, Taff has been inducted into the Gospel Music Association’s Hall of Fame three times – for his work as a solo artist, and as a member of both The Imperials and The Gaither Vocal Band.
Click on ‘Continue reading’ for:
~ More of this review
~ Music News
~ Song of the Week Lyrics – “Here Is Love Vast As The Ocean (Everlasting Praise)” by Keith & Kristyn Getty and Sandra McCracken Continue reading


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MUSIC REVIEWS and NEWS


How to Re-Assemble an Atomic Bomb – U2
*** ½

How to Assemble an Atomic Bomb was U2’s eleventh studio album. It sold nearly ten million copies and won eight Grammy Awards. The twentieth anniversary package includes a remastered version of the original album, including bonus track “Fast Cars”, plus How to Re-Assemble an Atomic Bomb, a “shadow album” of ten previously unreleased tracks from their 2004 album sessions recorded with Atomic Bomb’s original producer Chris Thomas. The songs, discovered by The Edge while digging through the archives, offer a fresh perspective on that era.

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  • More of this review and a review of New Arrangements and Duets by Van Morrison
  • Music News
  • Song of the Week Lyrics ~ “He is Making All Things Right” by Bryan Fowler, Skye Peterson and Ben Shive

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MUSIC NEWS

Song of the Week: Victory in Jesus (Christ Won the Victory)” by Keith & Kristyn Getty and Matt Boswell

This week’s song of the week is “Victory in Jesus (Christ Won the Victory)” by Keith & Kristyn Getty and Matt Boswell, recorded live at the 2024 Sing! Getty Music Worship Conference in Nashville. The song was written by E. M. Bartlett, Matt Boswell, Keith Getty, and Kristyn Getty.

“Victory in Jesus” is one of the greatest gospel songs ever written, full of vitality and celebration of the good news of Christ.  This new version – written in cooperation with the family that has stewarded the song for decades – builds on the original lyric to further proclaim the decisive work of Christ to set the sinner free.

Watch the performance of the song here.

Chorus
O victory in Jesus
My Savior forever
He sought me and bought me
With His redeeming blood
He loved me ere I knew Him
And all my love is due Him
He plunged me to victory
Beneath the cleansing flood
Verse 1
I heard an old, old story
How a Savior came from glory
How He gave His life on Calvary
To save a wretch like me
I heard about His groaning
Of His precious blood’s atoning
Then I repented of my sin,
“Christ won the victory!”
Verse 2
I heard about His healing
All his miracles revealing
That He alone can save a soul
And set the captive free
I’m happy in His promise
How soon He’s coming for us
And home with Him I’ll sing again
“Christ won the victory!”
Verse 3
I’ll tell the old, old story
Till my Savior comes from glory
I’ll tell of all the Lord has done
To set this sinner free
That all who will believe him
By Faith can still receive him
And share in that redemption song
“Christ won the victory!”


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MUSIC REVIEWS and NEWS


The Beautiful Letdown: Live from Los Angeles – Switchfoot
*** ½

Switchfoot has been celebrating the 20th anniversary of their breakthrough album The Beautiful Letdown, which was recorded in Los Angeles, and has now sold more than three million copies and had more than 550 million streams. In May 2023, the band released The Beautiful Letdown (Our Version). This new surprise live album preceded the band resuming their The Beautiful Letdown 20th anniversary tour.
Switchfoot has always been an excellent live band, and they prove it again on this album, in which they play all of the songs from The Beautiful Letdown.

Click on ‘Continue reading’ for:

  • A review of Live at Orangefield: Be Just and Fear Not by Van Morrison
  • Music News
  • Song of the Week Lyrics ~ Run and Run (Christ is All My Righteousness) by Matt Boswell and Matt Papa

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