Description
Enter the Worship Circle is a joint effort between the American husband-wife duo 100 Portraits and folk-rock band Waterdeep, independently released in the US on Blue Renaissance Music in 1999, distributed by Grassroots Music Distribution. Also released in the UK manufactured and distributed by Kingsway Music. The album was recorded by Barry Garrett with 100 Portraits producing.
Recorded “live” on acoustic instruments from around the world these Scripture based songs invite you to participate in a worship experience. The passionate chords and moving rhythms welcome you to bring your guitar, your hand drums, and your love for Jesus… and Enter the Worship Circle! [Note on the back of the CD]
This joint effort between Squint newbies Waterdeep and their indie buds, husband-wife duo 100 Portraits, is full of the kind of pure vision and organic sound that characterized Christian music in the late ’60s and early ’70s.
That’s because these 15 original worship songs (clocking in together at more than 70 minutes) were recorded live with no overdubs, using only acoustic guitars, hand drums and the occasional flute to undergird the very retro harmonies (think mellow Jefferson Airplane).
What’s more, the cohesiveness from song to song lends itself to an honest-to-goodness praise & worship service feeling, but not f the grandiose variety. No drums, no bass, no keyboards, no pomp and circumstances. Just the basics. Simplicity. Serenity. Sweetness and light.
There are no standout songs, probably because they feel so improvised as one tune flows into the next. It’s like listening to one incredible long tune with 15 movements. (Okay… I’d remiss not to mention the beautiful harmonies on «Your Are So Good to Me» that climax with just a smidgen of atonal melancholy on the bridge. Masterful!)
Despite all the praise & worship “product” that’s found its way into the headlines lately, ‘Enter the Worship Circle’ stands out like the genuine article. [Dave Urbanski, CCM, April 2000]
I hate the sound of the majority of American produced “worship” albums because there seems to be a tendency to overproduction and triumphalism. Give me something that’s a bit more rootsy and a little more dangerous any time and I’ll bite. So here I am biting. You can’t really get much more stripped down than this, two American indie bands joining together to sing their brand of worship songs in a relaxed intimate atmosphere and boy, does it connect! The songs are all based on Scripture and it’s the passion of delivery and the honesty of the recording that makes the biggest impact. Strange percussive sounds are played whilst acoustic guitars are strummed and voices are joined together to worship. The bands take turns to present their songs which range from the vulnerable wistful prayer of «You Have Redeemed My Soul» to the gentle adoration of «Your Are So Good To Me» and the evocative shuffle of «Those Who Trust». Throughout, there’s a Psalm-like reality to everything here which means that these are worship songs that admit the bitter and sweet experiences of life side by side and then hoist the emotions heavenwards. Probably the best new worship album I’ve heard in the last 12 months and surely someone somewhere will give it a wider release recognizing the need for sugar free worship. [Mike Rimmer, Cross Rhythms, April 2000]
> iTunes
CD tracklist:
01. Today – 3:56
02. I Will Not Forget You – 4:58
03. You Are So Good To Me – 4:37
04. You Have Redeemed My Soul – 2:16
05. Tender Mercy – 2:59
06. Whatever Thing – 2:50
07. Those Who Trust – 3:36
08. I Could Run Away – 5:03
09. Though I Feel Alone – 4:31
10. Land Of The Living – 3:39
11. Put In Me – 4:51
12. Since I Am So Sick – 6:15
13. Improv – 3:57
14. Save Me – 4:37
15. Come Fall On Us – 6:19
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.