Description
Work Songs is the debut album by the multi-artist worship project The Porter’s Gate, independently released in October 2017 in co-operation with The Fuel Music. It is a live worship album featuring over a dozen artists, including Audrey Assad, Josh Garrels, Madison Cunningham, David Gungor, Liz Vice and Urban Doxology. The Porter’s Gate, a creative movement aimed at reimagining and recreating worship that welcomes, reflects and impacts both community and the Church.
The album was recorded in part during the live, 3-day Porter’s Gate Conference held in New York City at St. Bartholomew’s Church and Church of Sweden in June of 2017, The Porter’s Gate Volume 1: Work Songs was produced by Isaac Wardell and includes 13 modern hymns centered on affirming vocation as an integral part of a life of worship. The joy, energy and reverence of this project is also captured on video by Mason Jar Music, known for their work with Bela Fleck, Feist, YoYo Ma and others.
The Porter’s Gate Volume 1: Work Songs connects worship with vocation, “who we are to be in this world” as recording artist Audrey Assad sees it.
In Christian circles it’s been said that worship isn’t just what happens on Sunday morning. We worship not just with voices but our lives. The 13 “modern hymns” on this release imagine what that looks like.
The Porter’s Gate is a collective of artists from diverse backgrounds seeking to build a community that invites conversation and collaboration. The hope is to become a welcoming presence in an inhospitable world. Founder and producer, Isaac Wardell, believes hospitality can impact the culture more than any other belief and practice of the church.
«Little Things with Great Love» featuring Madison Cunningham is a surprising opener in its stark beauty. It sounds like the resurrection of an ancient hymn:
In the garden of our Savior, no flower grows unseen
His kindness rains like water on every humble seed
No simple act of mercy escapes his watchful eye
For there is One who loves me
His hand is over mineI could not find a songwriting credit but see that it is included on Evergreen, the Audrey Assad release scheduled for early 2018. Assad is on three tracks but not on this one.
This track is evidence that music is more than notes played. It’s also the silence in between, which in this case gives this a haunting quality. Strings add a classical presence.
«Wood and Nails», which pairs Assad with Josh Garrels is also available as a single on Noisetrade. Though this release is all about serving others, I take delight in the work done on our behalf, highlighted in the first two lines of the chorus:
The work was done with nothing but
Wood and nails in Your scar-borne hands.The first sounds on this memorable song are solitary piano notes, gentle strumming and Assad’s voice. Garrels joins in on the second stanza.
In a time when the world can feel like a dreary, overcast day, we could use more joyful songs. «Father, Let Your Kingdom Come» blows the clouds away. It’s a lively, gospel-flavored romp featuring Urban Doxology and friends. Urban Doxology is a group of artists dedicated to racial reconciliation and urban ministry in Richmond, Virginia’s Church Hall neighborhood, which is being renovated. Their soulful voices also enliven «Establish the Work of Our Hands», another track with a delightful gospel influence.
How do I describe what I hear on «We Labor Unto Glory» sung by Liz Vice? It sounds like a Carrie Newcomer song. It’s a mixture of folk, pop and African American spiritual.
«Christ Has No Body Now But Yours» is Josh Garrels reverential adaptation of the famous Teresa of Avila quotation. The sound of a church organ stands out. The simple lines, which contain no additional thoughts, are repeated throughout with the sound swelling at the end with a congregation of voices.
Isaac Wardell co-founded Bifrost Arts and is the director of worship arts at Trinity Presbyterian in Charlottesville, VA. Readers familiar with the three unique Bifrost Arts recordings will find that the production and styles here are similar. It’s stripped-down, organic, and on the mellower side with thoughtful lyrics.
The promotional materials convey an image of the hoped-for welcome intended here: “The Porter’s Gate seeks to provide an environment in which artists can reimagine the vocation behind their gifts and create music that sets a light at the door of our churches, a light that beckons world-weary strangers to come in and find rest.” Thanks to projects like this and many others there has never been a better time for those who appreciate expressions of praise and worship. [Michael Dalton, The Phantom Tollbooth, November 2017]
> iTunes
Album tracklist:
01. Little Things With Great Love (feat. Madison Cunningham) – 5:07
02. Have Mercy On Me (feat. David Gungor) – 5:05
03. Wood And Nails (feat. Audrey Assad and Josh Garrels) – 5:17
04. Establish The Work Of Our Hands (feat. Aaron Keyes and Urban Doxology) – 4:22
05. Christ Has No Body Now But Yours (feat. Josh Garrels) – 4:08
06. Day By Day (feat. Joy Ike) – 3:13
07. God The Maker (feat. Latifah Alattas) – 3:59
08. In The Fields Of The Lord (feat. Audrey Assad) – 3:18
09. Every Mother, Every Father (feat. Paul Zach and Audrey Assad) – 2:22
10. We Abide, We Abide In You (feat Paul Zach) – 3:35
11. Father, Let Your Kingdom Come (feat. Urban Doxology, Liz Vice, and Latifah Alattas) – 4:40
12. We Labor Unto Glory (feat. Liz Vice, Josh Garrels, and Madison Cunningham) – 3:21
13. Your Labor Is Not In Vain (feat. Paul Zach and Madison Cunningham) – 4:04
Note: Available at Bandcamp: https://theportersgate.bandcamp.com/album/work-songs
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[youtube_sc url=”” playlist=”5V2_cs8gTIw,pm5VQAxdMrc,pIyr1PIMWgw,XzAU8J2aGIQ,cRuPZCXShg4,w7ymxW3rndk,EHIGm7qYVz4″ title=”The Porters Gate Worship Project – Establish the Work of Our Hands (Featuring Aaron Keyes and Urban Doxology) + Little Things With Great Love (Featuring Madison Cunningham) + Wood and Nails (Featuring Audrey Assad and Josh Garrels) + Every Mother Every Father (Featuring Audrey Assad, Paul Zach, and Madison Cunningham) + We Labor Unto Glory (Featuring Liz Vice, Josh Garrels, and Madison Cunningham) + Christ Has No Body Now But Yours (featuring Josh Garrels) + Father, Let Your Kingdom Come (featuring Urban Doxology, Liz Vice, and Latifah Alattas)” autohide=”1″ rel=”0″]
[youtube_sc url=”V_WZUNfIobQ” title=”The Porters Gate Worship Project – The Porters Gate Worship Project trailer” autohide=”1″ rel=”0″]The Porters Gate Worship Project trailer
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