Stuart Townend

"There is a hope" DVD

The DVD of the album reviewed below, with all the songs from the album, plus interviews with Stuart and the band, and 3 bonus video tracks of three of Stuart's best known songs, "Grace", "The Power of the Cross' and "How deep the Father's love" recorded in the USA in 2006.

Christian video is not always the best quality (as viewers of God TV will sometimes witness), but this is superbly shot and edited by the Last Word team, and really conveys the atmosphere of the evening - and it really is a pleasure to watch a band as good at this do their stuff!

In short, a highly watchable and enjoyable DVD.

US CUSTOMERS PLEASE NOTE: this is a PAL DVD (not NTSC), so will only work on DVD players that will read the PAL format. Please check your DVD player will play PAL DVDs before you order.

 

There is a hope - live worship from Ireland

REVIEW BY ANDREW SUTTON

A lot has happened for Stuart Townend over the last 18 months. Following his groundbreaking “Monument to Mercy” album in summer 2006, then the release of the bestselling “Best of Stuart Townend live” double album in 2007, it seems Stuart’s name is everywhere. For churches and events across the land, Townend or Townend/Getty songs now help form the backbone of many a worship leader’s repertoire.

So the prospect of a new offering of songs from “today’s finest modern hymn writer” (as the back cover unashamedly describes him) is a mouth-watering prospect. And this album does not disappoint.

Recorded live in Coleraine, Northern Ireland, the album boasts an impressive line-up of musicians, including Mark Edwards on keyboards, Andrew Small (Massive Attack, Kylie Minogue) on drums, and Troy Donockley (Iona) on whistles and uilleann pipes, to name but three. In addition, US worship leaders Aaron Keyes and Kelly Minter perform their own co-writes with Stuart, adding another dimension to the album.

The sound is varied, but has an unmistakable celtic influence which suits Stuart’s more hymn-like songwriting approach. But the band can also ‘kick’, as “Hear the call” and “Psalm 103” clearly indicate. The arrangements are classy and interesting, the congregational sound is full, and the recording is of the highest quality.

But let’s face it, worship albums stand or fall finally on the songs. What are the latest Townend offerings like?

In a word, stunning. “Salvation’s song” is already getting many people excited with its powerful expression of devotion and praise, while the title track “There is a hope” will, I believe, take its place as one of Stuart’s finest and enduring hymns. “Communion hymn” and “Benediction”, aside from being beautifully crafted songs in themselves, make an invaluable contribution to the liturgical life of the church at large. “Spirit of heaven”, “Psalm 62”,  “Glory be to God” and “Let the earth resound” will all find their way into many a church’s CCLI report.

In short, this is a songwriter at the top of his game, and the church is very much richer for it.

Andrew Sutton

Track listing:

Across the lands
Let the earth resound
Salvation’s song
Hear the call of the kingdom
There is a hope
Psalm 62
Every promise
Psalm 103
Healing streams
Glory be to God
Spirit of heaven
Communion hymn
In Christ alone
Benediction

Review of "Best of Stuart Townend Live..."

If you are looking for the definitive Stuart Townend album, this has to be it. 31 (yes, 31) tracks of live worship from various events Stuart has been part of down the years, including Stoneleigh, Worship Together, Mandate, and many more.

What really strikes you is the scope of the man's writing. All the established classics are here, from "How deep the Father's love" to "Psalm 23", "Beautiful Saviour" to "In Christ alone" . But there are more gems to discover: the Abbey Road live versions of "Kyrie" and "My God", for example; and some less well-known songs such as "Giver of grace", "You are my Anchor" and the beautiful "O my soul, arise and bless your Maker". And for those who have never come across the haunting "How long?", be prepared to be affected by some of the most moving worship lyrics of recent years.

Those who have become acquainted with Stuart's music more recently will find a whole wealth of further material for their own and their church's environment. Serious Townend aficienados will just enjoy having all these songs in one collection, recorded in the context they were meant to be heard and used - live.  (Andrew Sutton)

Track listing:

CD1

1. Lord, I'm grateful (Grace)
2. See what a morning (Resurrection hymn)
3. What wonder of grace (My desire)
4. Your love (Pour over me)
5. We have sung our songs (How long?)
6. Oh, to see the dawn (The power of the cross)
7. All my days (Beautiful Saviour)
8. O my soul arise and bless your Maker
9. Speak, O Lord
10. Who paints the skies?
11. Lord, how majestic You are
12. My heart is filled with thankfulness
13. My God
14. Jesus is Lord
15. Joy has dawned
16. The Lord's my Shepherd (Psalm 23)

CD 2
1. My first love
2. You're the Word of God the Father (Across the lands)
3. In Christ alone
4. How deep the Father's love
5. With a prayer (Love Incarnate)
6. Holy Spirit, how I love You
7. From the squalor (Immanuel)
8. The King of love
9. Our God is strong and mighty (Breaking out)
10. I have heard (I won't let go)
11. O Church arise
12. For every child (Kyrie)
13. Beloved and Blessed
14. You are my Anchor (The Father's embrace)
15. Giver of grace (You are good to me)

Monument to Mercy

This is the brand new album from Stuart Townend, and his first in studio for 4 years. It features some songs that are getting used in various churches, including "The power of the cross" and "See what a morning". But it's also got some great new material. Check out the psalm-like lament of "Kyrie" (with the Stevie Wonder feel), and the great duet with Lou Fellingham, "Every promise". This album definitely sounds different. It's distinctly piano- rather than guitar-driven, which immediately sets it apart from most worship albums. A lot of it has the Ben Folds style piano/bass/drums feel, but then there are some majestic strings on it - more reminiscent of Rufus Wainright! Produced by brilliant arranger and keyboard player Mark Edwards, Psalm 23 is nothing short of gorgeous, and The Power of the Cross is deeply moving. And Beloved And Blessed is... well, different! In a genre where MOR seems the safe way to success, this is a brave, magnificent album. (Andrew Sutton)

Track listing (click on tracks in red for audio clips):

1. In every day that dawns (I'm grateful)
2. Knowing your grace (Child of the King) 
3. The Lord's my Shepherd (Psalm 23)
4. For every child (Kyrie)
5. From the breaking of the dawn (Every promise)
6. What love (Filled with wonder)
7. Oh, to see the dawn (The power of the cross)
8. Blessed Spirit (Puritan prayer)
9. Beloved and Blessed
10. My God
11. See what a morning (Resurrection hymn)

Mandate - O Church Arise

The latest live album recorded at the "Mandate" conference at the Waterhall, Belfast, with over 2,000 men, this double CD celebrates 10 years of the event. CD 1 features Staurt leading at the 2005 conference, with such songs as "Beautiful One", "The power of the cross" and "O Church arise". CD 2 takes the best of the previous years, with Stuart and Irishman Robin Mark leading the worship.

Track listing (click on titles in read to hear audio clips):

CD 1
You're the Word of God (Across the lands)
Wonderful so wonderful (Beautiful One)
O Church arise
And can it be
Speak, O Lord
Oh, to see the dawn (Power of the cross)
The King of love
Jesus is Lord
Be lifted up
Lord I come before (What a faithful God)
Jesus Christ (Once again)
To God be the glory

CD 2
In Christ alone
Be Thou my vision
I stand amazed
Guide me O Thou great Jehovah
Stand up, stand up for Jesus
O Lord my God (How great Thou art)
Amazing grace/No not by might/Are you washed
I will sing the wondrous story
How deep the Father's love
Will your anchor hold (We have an anchor)

Mandate - See What A Morning

The live album recorded at The Waterfront Hall, Belfast, with 2,000 men in great voice. Includes many of Stuart Townend's classic songs, including "In Christ alone", "Beautiful Saviour", "How deep the Father's love" and "Pour over me". A powerful album with a powerful sound.

The Power of the Cross

The live album from The New Frontiers Brighton Leadership conference, featuring Stuart Townend, Kate Simmonds, Louise Fellingham and South African worship leader Evan Rogers. A collection of some of the best songs of the last couple of years, including "Indescribable", "Dancing Generation", and the title track, which is rapidly becoming one of the classic hymns of the decade.

Mission:Worship

A new recording and DVD featuring Stuart Townend, Paul Oakley, Andy Bromley and Mark Tedder - recorded live in Colorado Springs. Superb audio and video production, and an amazing atmosphere of worship, make this an uplifting experience. Including fresh live versions of "The power of the cross", "How deep the Father's love", "Grace" and "In Christ alone".

The Apostles Creed

It's been a long time coming, but Stuart Townend and Keith Getty finally got it finished! This is the long-awaited collection of songs and hymns based around the major themes of the Apostles Creed - the Fatherhood of God, the birth, life, death, resurrection and ascension of Christ, the Holy Spirit, the church, and the end times. This major contribution to the worshipping life of the church is a rich resource for those who take the content of their worship seriously. Brilliantly recorded in Nashville by John Hartley, and featuring guest vocalists Tim Hughes, Susan Ashton, Brenton Brown, Jennifer Paige, Christine Dente, and many others.

Lord of every heart

A vibrant studio album by Stuart Townend recorded in Nashville, and featuring some of Christian music's finest players. Including "In Christ alone", "Across the lands" and a stunning rendition of "Grace", and with production deftly handled by John Hartley (Kisses From Heaven, Secrets Of The Vine), these songs carry Stuart's trademark lyrical depth and melodic catchiness.

Track listing (click on tracks in red for audio clip):

1. Grace
2. Image of invisible God
3. Love incarnate
4. My desire
5. Lord of every heart
6. When Love came down
7. Across the lands
8. In Christ alone
9. This love is enough
10. All I want to say