Description
WoW 2000, sub-titled The Year’s 30 Top Christian Artists And Songs, is a multi-artist double disc compilation released in co-operation by EMI Christian Music Group, Word Entertainment, and Provident Music Group in 1999. Manufactured and marketed by Sparrow Records, distributed in the US by Chordant Distribution Group.
WoW 2000 – a milestone album marking the journey of Christian music and its message through a decade of blessing and growth. Taking 30 of the year’s hottest artists and songs in Christian music and bringing them together on two CD’s, WoW 2000 will quench your thirst for phenomenal music with a Christ-centered message. WoW 2000 ushers Christian music and its listeners into the new millennium while setting a high standard for the future. [A note printed on the back of the CD]
Not much need be said about this album other than to list the vast number of quality Christian artists on this compilation. These include Jars Of Clay, dc Talk, Sixpence None The Richer, Michael W Smith, Amy Grant and the UK’s own Delirious?. The first CD consists of mainly guitar-based pop songs; acoustic tracks come from newer bands such as Burlap To Cashmere and Plumb alongside Caedmon’s Call and a fantastic «Nobody Loves Me Like You» taken from Jars Of Clay’s brand new album. The electric edge comes from the likes of Audio Adrenaline (a mature song about the need for humbling ourselves before God), Switchfoot (who recently supported Delirious? on a UK tour) and the catchy «Gravity» as performed by Delirious? provides an impressive start to an album that rarely stoops lower. The second CD hits a high with Sixpence’s «Breathe» which, although more atmospheric than their album tracks, is a powerful song about the healing that comes from God sung by the beautiful voice of Leigh Nash. Rebecca St James provides an interesting version of «Omega» with a new arrangement over the spoken verses breaking into the amazingly catchy chorus. This album is great for both those who are already into Christian music because of the great song selection and also for those who want to discover for the first time some of the quality found in Christian music. The only reason for not making a purchase would be if you could listen to Sonic Flood’s «I Want To Know You» without the superb Hanson-like «Mmm Bop» introduction which for some reason has been edited out. [Nick Castle, Cross Rhythms, February 2000]
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2CD tracklist:
Disc One – Purple Disc
1-01. Delirious? – Gravity – 3:19 (from Mezzamorphis)
1-02. Jars Of Clay – Nobody Loves Me Like You – 3:40 (from If I Left the Zoo)
1-03. Newsboys – Love Liberty Disco – 3:45 (from Love Liberty Disco)
1-04. DC Talk – Consume – 4:21 (from Supernatural)
1-05. Third Day – I’ve Always Love You – 3:50 (from Time)
1-06. Caedmon’s Call – Thankfull – 4:22 (from 40 Acres)
1-07. Jennifer Knapp – A Little More – 3:24 (from the multi-artist project Listen: Louder)
1-08. Audio Adrenaline – Get Down – 3:12 (from Underdog)
1-09. Sonicflood – I Want To Know You (In The Secret) – 2:52 (from Sonicflood)
1-10. Out Of Eden – River – 3:42 (from No Turning Back)
1-11. Burlap To Cashmere – Basic Instruction – 3:59 (from Anybody Out There?)
1-12. The O.C. Supertones – Away From You – 4:38 (from Chase the Sun)
1-13. Plumb – Stranded – 3:40 (from Candycoated waterdrops)
1-14. The W’s – The Rumor Weed Song – 2:22 (from Trouble with X)
1-15. Raze – Always And Forever – 3:35 (from Power)
1-16. Switchfoot – New Way To Be Human – 3:38 (from New Way To Be Human)
1-17. LaRue – Waiting Room – 3:18 (from LaRue)
Disc Two – Silver Disc
2-01. Steven Curtis Chapman – Speechless – 4:17 (from Speechless)
2-02. Amy Grant – Takes A Little Time – 4:34 (from Behind the Eyes)
2-03. Michael W. Smith – I Will Be Your Friend – 3:20 (from This is Your Time)
2-04. Jaci Velasquez – Show You Love – 4:28 (from her self-titled album)
2-05. Avalon – Can’t Live A Day – 4:47 (from In a Different Light)
2-06. Sixpence None The Richer – Breathe – 4:04 (from the multi-artist project Streams)
2-07. Point Of Grace – Saving Grace – 3:20 (from Steady On)
2-08. Twila Paris – Run To You – 4:17 (from True North)
2-09. Anointed – Rivive Us – 4:08 (from their self-titled album)
2-10. Winans Phase2 – It’s Alright (Send Me) – 4:02 (from We Got Next)
2-11. Clay Crosse feat. BeBe Winans & Bob Carlisle – I Will Follow Christ – 4:55 (from Surrender All: The Clay Crosse Collection, Vol. 1)
2-12. FFH – One Of These Days – 4:25 (from I Want To Be Like You)
2-13. Rebecca St. James – Omega – 4:05 (from Pray)
2-14. Michelle Tumes – For The Glory Of Your Name – 3:32 (from the multi-artist project Heaven & Earth: A Tapestry of Worship)
2-15. Chris Rice – Cartoons – 3:58 (from the multi-artist live album A Night in Rocketown)
2-16. Jill Phillips – I Am – 3:41 (from her self-titled album)
2-17. Jonathan and Stephen Cohen – Friend of Mine (Columbine) – 2:18
Note: Simultaneously released as a double cassette and a double disc CD.
Album liners notes:
DISC 1
1. Jars of Clay – Overjoyed (Essential Records)
After selling nearly two million copies of their debut album, Jars of Clay rockets to the next level of musical excellence with their sophomore release, Much Afraid, featuring this track which speaks poetically about out response to the way God views us.
2. dc Talk – Colored People (ForeFront Communications)
From their supersonic live concerts to their intensely passionate brand of rock recordings, dc Talk is determined to challenge our culture to look beyond the color of a person’s skin and to see the heart within.
3. Caedmon’s Call – Hope to Carry On (Warner Alliance)
As on of the most popular bands on the college circuit, Caedmon’s Call went big-time with widespread distribution of their self-titled project in 1997. After recording numerous independent projects, they scored big with this album and its cover of the Rich Mullins tune, “Hope To Carry On.”
4. Rebecca St. James – Abba (Father) (ForeFront Communications)
After her 1994 debut album secured her a handful of hits and a New Artist Dove nomination, she partnered with producer Tedd T. and delivered her latest project, God. This song speaks of the faithfulness of God in an extremely creative and spontaneous manner.
5. Third Day – My Hope Is You (Reunion Records)
After being nominated for the ’97 New Artist Dove for the amazing success of the unique brand of rock found on their self-titled debut album, Third Day cranks it up to ten with a more aggressive modern rock sound for their newest release, Conspiracy No. 5.
6. Michael W. Smith – Missing Person (Reunion Records)
As one of Christian music’s top-selling male artists, Michael W. Smith proves again with his latest project that he has his finger on the pulse of the needs of tomorrow’s leaders through his ability to encourage evangelism among young people.
7. Audio Adrenaline – Man of God (ForeFront Communications)
With their straight-ahead modern rock, catchy hooks and singable choruses, Audio Adrenaline is aiming straight to the hearts of their generation. AA confesses with jolting honesty the difficulty of being a “Man of God” with this cut from their smash album Bloom
8. Out of the Grey – Disappear (Sparrow Records)
This husband and wife duo, Scott and Christine Dente, deliver of their career with See Inside. “Disappear” combines their poetic songwriting with Christine’s signature vocal styling and Scott’s guitar prowess to express a desire to be lost in the glory of God.
9. Carman – Mission 3:16 (Sparrow Records)
From record-breaking concert attendance and album sales to dramatic musical story-telling, Carman never settles for being predictable. His newest project, Mission 3:16, continues Carman’s evangelical, crusade-oriented ministry to encourage the church and spread the gospel, no holds barred.
10. Newsboys – Reality (Star Song Records)
With clever lyrical crafting, Christian rock music’s Newsboys deliver this contemporary telling of the Prodigal Son story taken from the gold-selling Take Me To Your Leader album. “Reality” was also the basis for their first feature film, Down Under the Big Top.
11. Jaci Velasquez – We Can Make A Difference (Myrrh Records)
Her debut album, A Heavenly Place, scored Jaci Velasquez a handful of #1 hits, as well as the ’97 Dove for New Artist of the Year. “We Can Make A Difference” is an encouragement to reach out and impact the world around us with the love of Christ.
12. Crystal Lewis – People Get Ready… Jesus is Comin’ (Myrrh Records)
She was Christian music’s best kept secret … at least until the release of her fourteenth album, Beauty For Ashes. She’s a favorite on the crusade circuit with her contemporary brand of praise pop, exemplified on this tune, a compelling call for people to be prepared for the return of Christ.
13. Clay Crosse – Saving the World (Reunion Records)
Clay Crosse is one of the most soulful vocalists on the scene, perhaps due in part to his Memphis roots. On this third album, Stained Glass, Clay cranks out a soulful-rock tune that gives a description of the highlights of the life of Christ.
14. Petra – We Need Jesus (Word Records)
As a follow-up to their gold-selling Petra Praise: The Rock Cries Out project, Christian music’s top-selling rock band releases Petra Praise 2: We Need Jesus, with its anthemic title tune featuring Lou Gramm of Foreigner and John Elefante, former lead singer of Kansas.
15. Out of Eden – More Than You Know (Gotee Records)
These three sisters combine their voices to deliver straight-ahead R&B/pop. On this title track from their second album, the girls’ sweet vocals sit atop a stomping track that speaks of God’s love for us being greater than we could ever imagine.
DISC 2
1. Steven Curtis Chapman – Let Us Pray (Sparrow Records)
After ten years of music ministry, Steven Curtis Chapman is a continual favorite, writing music that takes a daily walk with Christ to a deeper level, as he does here in his anthem to the importance of prayer, taken from his gold-selling Signs of Life project.
2. Point of Grace – Circle of Friends (Word Redcords)
Some people have a hard time getting a top ten hit. Point of Grace has not … every single released has gone number one. From their Grammy and Dove nominated, gold-selling third album, Life, Love and Other Mysteries, Point of Grace offers up this ode to the common bond found between fellow believers.
3. Bob Carlisle – On My Way to Paradise (Diadem Music Group)
From the multi-platinum album, Butterfly Kisses (Shades of Grace), comes this soulful, visionary hit, delivered with a light, pop-groove. With trademark soaring vocals and introspective songwriting, Carlisle expresses the hope of a future walking on the streets of gold in heaven.
4. Amy Grant – Carry You (Myrrh Records)
After two decades of making music, Amy Grant is continually a favorite of music fans around the world. The song, “Carry You,” is a previously unreleased track recorded during the sessions for her Behind The Eyes project.
5. 4HIM – The Measure of A Man (Benson Music Group)
4Him delivers up this stirring testimony with the importance of what’s found on the inside being the determination of a man’s success. Taken from The Message, 4Him’s contemporary four-part harmonies and straight-forward lyrics make them a favorite of all ages.
6. Avalon – Give It Up (Sparrow Records)
Imagine a combination of smooth, groovin’ synth-pop with four of the best vocalists you’ve ever heard and you’ve got Avalon. This new group has scored a handful of number one radio hits, including “Give It Up” which talks about how important it is to give up control to God.
7. Kathy Troccoli – I Call Him Love (Reunion Records)
This song from her latest project, Love & Mercy, demonstrates Kathy’s ability to keep God-focused pop music contemporary and relevant to all walks of life.
8. Anointed – Adore You (Myrrh Records)
This Grammy nominated and multiple Stellar and Dove Award winning trio chalks up another hit with “Adore You.” Anointed’s smooth R&B/pop harmonies and effortless vocal stylings make this song a highlight from their third album, Under the Influence.
9. Phillips, Craig & Dean – Just One (Star Song Records)
These three guys pastor three different churches … when they’re not off doing concerts and recording albums. “Just One” is the first #1 hit from their fourth album, Where Strength Begins, and continues their tradition of setting the Christian walk to music with energetic three-part harmonies and contemporary pop arrangements.
10. BeBe & CeCe Winans – Up Where We Belong (Sparrow Records)
Respected as ground-breaking solo performers, BeBe & CeCe Winans are one of the most popular sibling duos in musical history. This newly recorded version of the song that began their career, featured on their Greatest Hits album, turns this popular movie theme into a prayer to God.
11. Susan Ashton – You Move Me (Sparrow Records)
As one of Christian music’s favorite female vocalists, Susan Ashton is able to pull every nuance from a lyric, taking the listener down roads rarely traveled. This track from A Distant Call sings of God’s power to move us out of our comfort zones.
12. Sandi Patty – Breathe On Me (Word Records)
Sandi Patty is one of the most critically-acclaimed vocalists in any genre of music, perhaps because of her delicate expressiveness combined with her powerful, soaring vocal strength. “Breathe On Me” is from her latest project, Artist of My Soul.
13. Gary Chapman – One Of Two (Reunion Records)
With his Shelter release, Gary Chapman has firmly established himself as one of the top male vocalists in Christian music. On “One of Two,” Gary is joined by his well-known spouse, Amy Grant, singing together of the power of God to take two lives and make them one.
14. Bryan Duncan – A Whisper Heard Around The World (Myrrh Records)
Bryan Duncan is always a favorite with his slamming vocals, comic personality, expressive delivery and songs that bring hope and light into day to day faith struggles, like this one from his Blue Skies project.
15. Twila Paris – My Utmost For His Highest (Word Records)
Sparrow Recording artist Twila Paris enlisted the help of Steven Curtis Chapman, Sandi Patty, Bryan Duncan, Cindy Morgan and Avalon on this previously unreleased radio anthem. What results is a challenge to live life completely for God.
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