Worship Together: I Could Sing of Your Love Forever

The double-CD album Worship Together brings together a host of today's finest contemporary Christian music (CCM) talent. Having hit No. 1 on Billboard's Top Contemporary Christian chart, and impacted the Billboard 200 chart, this is quality listening whatever one's religious orientation. The 23-tracks here are a blend of styles and tempos but all share superb delivery and excellent production. There isn't a weak track in the set.

The album opens gently with the acoustic guitar-and-strings-driven "God of Wonders" by Mac Powell and Cliff and Danielle Young. This cut has a definite Phil Collins feel, and like so many of the tracks on Worship Together, it benefits from a blend of male and female vocals. "Shout To The Lord" -- a mellow ballad with choral support for Matt Redman's lead vocals -- has a slightly contemporary country flavor; and it is a peaceful experience.

"Forever," by Chris Tomlin, pairs shuffling drums with a light rock sound which recalls the music of U2. And the "Celtic connection" doesn't end there. "Did You Feel The Mountain Tremble?" another Matt Redman cut, begins with a Celtic folk feel and steadily builds to a choral crescendo reminiscent of "ensemble songs" such as "We Are The World." Meanwhile, "Open The Eyes of My Heart," by SONICFLOOd, is a live up-tempo rocker that again reflects a U2 influence, while "Better Is One Day" by Charlie Hall and "Come, Now Is The Time To Worship" by Brian Doerksen continue in the same ethnic vein.

Other noteworthy tracks are the gentle and sparse, electric piano-backed ballad "The Heart of Worship" -- yet another great Matt Redman number; the very serene "Lord, You Have My Heart" by Delirious?, which brings to mind the acoustic balladry of Cat Stevens. And a pair of rockers: the mid-tempo "America" by Chris Tomlin, which has a chorus that sweeps the listener up on an electric guitar wave, and the standout "Every Move I Make" by Fusebox, which will have you singing along to its "na na na" hook.

Other artists appearing on the album include Christy Nockels, Rebecca St. James, Tim Hughes, Passion, Stuart Townend, Kathryn Scott and Rita Springer.

This is the first volume in a Time-Life series, so music fans who enjoy what they hear on this set can look forward to plenty more of the same.

By Adrian Zupp