Reviewed by Tom Lennie Not sure what to make of this intriguing concept. There are two main aspects - the format (packaging) and the music itself. Let's start with the format, which consists of a double CD set, neatly encased inside what is effectively a 31-page hardback book. As a devotional diary, there's a page for each day, which provides the lyrics for that day's sequential track, along with a short topical reflective commentary, plus a short prayer and a suggested daily response. Kind of like a musical Every Day With Jesus (only we're not told who wrote the study notes). Now I love books, so anything with multiple pages appeals to me, but I really do question whether anyone will actually use this double-CD package in the prescribed form, and continue to purchase the updates, month-by-month. Maybe it's just me who doesn't quite get it. As to the music itself, well, it's a generous offering - 31 contemporary songs picked from Kingsway's back-catalogue, most being over five years old, and many more than twice that long. Artists comprise a Who's Who of mainly British CCM, and include Noel Richards, Ben Cantelon, Brenton Brown and Kristin Getty. Generally, the songs picked aren't those artists' best-known output, but this means that you're hearing a lot of decent songs you may not have heard before, for on the whole, the music's good. Yet, try hard as I may, I just can't get the word "gimmick" out of my cynical mind - while still somewhat admiring its innovation. It'd make a nice gift for sure, but would the recipient also be expecting to receive the subsequent eleven months' output too - a substantial annual subscription for anyone to invest in (though, individually priced at £8.99, not bad value for money).
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Kingsway is pleased to announce a brand new concept in compilations and an exciting new step forward in the world of devotionals. Worship Devotional is both: a 2CD compilation of some of the greatest worship tracks around today (Stuart Townend, Tim Hughes, Delirious?, Matt Redman and many more) with each track accompanied by a specially commissioned devotional that joins the dots between the song, scripture, prayer and action. Throughout 2011 each month will have its own Worship Devotional album, with unique tracks and inspirational devotional material, offering a great new way to connect with God each day. |