Facing a Task Unfinished

Description

Facing a Task Unfinished is an album by the British worship duo Keith & Kristyn Getty, independently released on Getty Music in 2016. The album was recorded live at Ocean Way Studios in Nashville, Tennessee; with Nathan Nockels producing. “14 New Songs with Special Guests Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Fernando Ortega, John Patitucci and Chris Tomlin.”

The renowned modern hymnwriting married couple hailing from Northern Ireland but based in Nashville USA have led worship and performed their songs around the world. They bring a new zeal to worship, updating older hymns with new tunes and adding new lyrics to old tunes alongside their self-penned offerings. This latest album combines all of these areas to provide a captivating worship experience. However, what leaps to the fore is the musicianship and the musical arrangements. Initially, like small children, the players are well under the management of the singers and worship leaders, supporting and encouraging the vocals, displaying flashes and glimpses of musical brilliance but never allowed to really fly free in musical worship. Then, as if the teacher finally leaves the classroom the ties are removed and as the vocal of «Lift High The Name Of Jesus» finishes, the band cut loose and a joyful romp ensues for the next few minutes. Then, brought back under control, always proficient, but kept as backing to the lyrical content for another couple of tracks. They are again allowed out to play at the end of «We Believe» before finally being granted freedom to soar on «Beyond These Shores» fully instrumental for nine minutes, as Irish ceilidh meets Seth Lakeman, Curved Air and Jig-a-jig. Is this joyful explosion an on stage jam session or spirit filled musical worship expression? Who cares, it is both magnificent and memorable. The album, whilst some is recorded live at a worship event, is more performance than participation even though advertised as ‘championing congregational worship’. It does also feature «For The Cause» and «O Church Arise», with Chris Tomlin, which are eminently suitable for collective worship. A couple of other twists in style also ensure that this isn’t just more of the same standard issue worship music. There is the African influenced «O Children Come» featuring Ladysmith Black Mambazo, «Psalm 24» with an Indian inflexion and instrumentation and «Consider The Stars» a gentle piano backed reflection with a hauntingly delicate vocal reminiscent of Gungor. Great praise and worship alongside stunning musicality demonstrates a large stride forward in the Getty’s music. [Chris Webb, Cross Rhythms, November 2016]

> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/facing-a-task-unfinished-deluxe-edition/1440919103)

CD tracklist:

01. Facing A Task Unfinished (We Go To All The World)
02. May The Peoples Praise You
03. Living Waters
04. O Children Come (feat. Ladysmith Black Mambazo)
05. My Worth Is Not In What I Own (feat. Fernando Ortega)
06. For The Cause
07. Lift High The Name Of Jesus (With The Legend Of Saints And Snakes)
08. The Lord Is My Salvation
09. We Believe (Apostle’s Creed)
10. He Will Hold Me Fast
11. Psalm 24 (The King Of Glory)
12. O Church Arise (Arise, Shine) (feat. Chris Tomlin)
13. Beyond These Shores (feat. John Patitucci)
Bonus Track:
14. Consider The Stars (feat. John Patitucci)