Archive for the ‘Reviews’ Category

Review, Interview, Contest: “Awake, My Soul” by Reba Snyder

Posted: April 15, 2013 in Piano Collections, Reviews
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Reba Snyder headshot

Reba Snyder

Reba Snyder is a name you may not recognize. She’s been a mostly behind-the-scenes member of two evangelistic teams for the past eight years. Accompanying, playing the “invisible” prelude/postlude music, arranging, and quietly underscoring invitations all make up a sampling of what she’s done since graduating from Bob Jones University in 2004 with a degree in church music.

Now she’s making a move into the solo realm by releasing her first self-published book of piano arrangements. “Awake my Soul” is a collection of nine traditional hymns set in her distinct style. I’ve played several of Reba’s arrangements, but they have all been written as vocal accompaniments. This is the first time I’ve seen her songs arranged for solo piano. Read on for my thoughts on her book as well as a podcast with Reba. Plus, you can enter to win a copy of her new book. (more…)

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Review, podcast and contest with Dave Mincy

Posted: March 18, 2013 in Interviews, Podcast, Reviews
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Mincy Media logo-tagAn acquaintance of mine, Dave Mincy, has recently begun offering up a new series of arrangements on his site mincymedia.com. If you visit his blog now, you’ll find new sacred arrangements meant for student pianists. There’s no shortage of hymns arranged for students to be found at your local music store, so is there any reason to buy some of these offered individually by Dave? Read on to find out… (more…)

“Looking Up” by Greg Howlett Live Concert DVD Review

Posted: February 11, 2013 in Reviews
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“Looking Up” by Greg Howlett

Back in August, Greg Howlett performed at the Gwinnett Performing Arts Center in Atlanta. I attended the concert and wrote a review about it. Now the new year is here, and the final products are available. “Looking Up” can be purchased as a CD, DVD, or CD/DVD combo pack. I had a few critiques about what I saw and heard first-hand, but many of my complaints could be made null and void through the process of post-production. Greg sent me a copy of the DVD last week, so I’ve had a chance to watch it and compare my live experience with the version that most audiences will see. If you’re interested in purchasing the music or video from the concert, you’ll want to read my “insider’s” perspective first. (more…)

Review: “Hymns You Love” from Lorenz

Posted: January 28, 2013 in Piano Collections, Reviews
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Hymns You LoveIf you’ve followed many of the performances I’ve posted on this blog over the last few years, you’ll find that many of the recordings have come from a series of books published by The Lorenz Corporation. “Hymns You Love” is the latest and last book in this series which includes titles such as “Hymns We Love” and “Classical Hymns We Love.” All of these books took some of the most well-known sacred composers and asked them to arrange two songs each of their favorite hymns in a given sub-genre. This last book turned that model on its head. Lorenz asked their customers to submit their favorites for the six composers to arrange. The result is twelve songs of varying styles and difficulties that blend to create a unique type of piano collection. Read on to see what’s in the book and my thoughts on the arrangements.
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Review: “Wondrous Easter” by James Koerts

Posted: January 25, 2013 in Piano Collections, Reviews
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Wondrous Easter coverThe next big event on the Christian holiday calendar is Easter. Alfred Music published some new arrangements from James Koerts at the end of 2012 specifically written for Easter services in a variety of worship settings. I received the book for Christmas and decided to share some of my thoughts on the songs here. Read on to see what’s in this collection of Easter songs. (more…)

Album Review: “Seasonal Spice” by Greg Howlett

Posted: December 10, 2012 in Reviews
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Seasonal Spice album coverGreg Howlett recorded and released a Christmas album in 2010.  I just bought it recently because he’s discounted it as well as several of his other projects.  Buying a CD for $5 is a no-brainer for me if I think it will have even just a few tracks that are worthwhile to keep.  That being said, Greg’s “Seasonal Spice” album delivers ten tracks that are easily worth more than $5.  Read on to learn a bit more of what to expect.

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Album Review: “Before you Now” by the Steve Pettit Evangelistic Team

Posted: December 3, 2012 in Reviews
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Before You Now album cover art“Before you Now” is the Pettit Team’s 2012 album, and it features some of their best recordings to date.  Each song helps form the theme of living “every moment of our lives in the presence of God.”  There is an emphasis of songs that portray a candid, one-on-one conversation with God.  Songs like Search Me, Know Me, I’ll Never Forsake You, Mercy Awaits, and Lord Forgive Us all have a theme of complete honesty before the Savior.  The top-notch sound quality and great song selection make this a must-have.  Read on to hear more about the specific tracks and what makes them so great.
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Choral review: “Promised One” by James Koerts

Posted: October 12, 2012 in Performance, Reviews
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[NOTE: This post was originally published in January of 2011]

Yes, I’m aware that Christmas was over a month ago, but it’s never too early to start planning for Christmas 2011, is it?  Of course not!  That being said, I have a Christmas cantata for you to consider.  Last year, The Wilds Music published set of choral pieces with accompanying script called “The Promised One.”  James Koerts wrote the music while Jonathan Cook provided several original texts.  I have been involved in church Christmas programs for over 15 years, and “The Promised One” is one of the most memorable and exciting compilations that I’ve heard.  Our church performed the music this past Christmas along with an original script written by one of our members.  Here are some observations and opinions on several pieces as well as video of our church’s performance.

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Greg Howlett “Looking Up” Concert Review and Podcast

Posted: August 14, 2012 in Performance, Reviews
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Just a sampling of some of the spectacular lighting seen at Greg’s concert on August 10.

Last Friday night I travelled with my family and two friends to Atlanta to attend Greg Howlett’s concert/recording session at the Gwinnett Performing Arts Center.  It’s not surprising to meet people who have never heard of Greg, but it is surprising for people not to appreciate his music after they’ve heard it.  For someone to doubt his prowess after watching a concert like I saw would be inconceivable.  Greg and his team of around 200 put together a live experience matched only in the highest circles of music performers.  The audio-visual event was fantastic without being overkill.  Of course, anything live is not without flaw, and surprising your audience can often backfire.  First I’ll talk about the technical aspects of the concert: video, lighting, and audio.  The second half will include opinions on the quality and originality of the music.  In closing, I’ll share some personal thoughts on the experience as a whole.
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Album Review: “By Faith” from the Galkin Evangelistic Team

Posted: June 25, 2012 in Reviews
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The Galkin Evangelistic Team and friends have released their album for 2012.  “By Faith” includes 16 songs all centered around the idea of those that leave comfort and familiarity and enter alien territory.  The entire album and especially the title track express the idea that saints past and present have often demonstrated their faith by executing plans based on “things hoped for” and “the evidence of things not seen.”  It’s easy to walk where we can see the path; not so much when the path is invisible.

This new album is a departure from what is usually expected from the Galkin team.  The Galkins along with three other families are going to Salt Lake City, Utah to plant a church later this year.  The Kopps, Countermans, and Albrights have all felt God’s calling to start a gospel work there in the midst of not only Mormonism but skepticism and agnosticism as well.  Since they are all going as a team, the team joined up in Indianapolis to record several of the tracks together.  Look for those tracks at the end of the album. (more…)

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