Reviewed by Tony Cummings

This is surely the most ambitious various artists album to be released for years. Even the most experienced songwriters would blanche at the challenge to write a set of songs which encompass the whole of the Bible narrative - from Creation to Christ to the Second Coming - but that is what Nichole Nordeman and Bernie Hermes have attempted on this high budget, high profile double album. Selecting key Bible stories, they have brought in the biggest CCM stars to sing the songs. So we have Matthew West and Leigh Nash as Adam and Eve, Brandon Heath as Joseph, Bart Millard (MercyMe) as Moses, Nichole Nordeman herself and Amy Grant as Ruth and Naomi, Peter Furler as Daniel, Francesca Battistelli as Mary, Mac Powell as Jesus, Steven Curtis Chapman as the thief on the cross, Jeremy Camp as Paul and the final celebration of the Second Coming sung by Michael W Smith and Darlene Zschech. There are some real standouts here. "Bring Us Home" tells the story of Joshua with exceptional vocals provided by Michael Tate and Blanca Callahan (Group 1 Crew). Equally powerful is the song "Empty" which tells the story of the disciples sung with passion by Jars Of Clay's Dan Haseltine and Sanctus Real's Matt Hammitt. Occasionally some of the arrangements, played with vigour by a bunch of London symphonians, are a tad fussy for my tastes but there is no hiding the quality of songwriting and performance presented here.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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In an unprecedented partnership between World Vision, Zondervan, EMI CMG, Provident Label Group, Word Entertainment, Proper Management, and CAA, comes an epic new project called (Music From) THE STORY.

Built on the foundation of Zondervan’s best-selling book, The Story, this new work contains 18 songs written by multiple Dove Award-Winners Nichole Nordeman and Bernie Herms based on principal biblical characters and stories. Lyrically, these songs (written in first person perspective) take timeless biblical stories and provide a completely new context into how God’s story of love & redemption intersects with our story of brokenness & failures resulting in a new story of hope and rescue. Musically, these songs take you on a journey of introspection, celebration, and ultimately usher you into a climactic moment of worship to the One who will make all things new. The artist line-up is nothing short of stellar with Grammy-winning producers Brown Bannister & Bernie Herms at the helm.