City of God

John Michael Talbot (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Troubadour
• ASIN: B0007VO57G
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #142,068 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Praise and Worship in the City of God, March 31, 2005

By 

Michael Dalton (Eureka, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: City of God (Audio CD)

John Michael Talbot's music epitomizes what I would think of as "sacred music." The way he combines truth, beauty and artistic excellence is truly inspirational.

What's impressive about his work is how much attention he pays to detail. I realized that when I read the liner notes in a past recording. I could see how much thought goes into his work, and that's evident once again on City of God.

The title comes from Augustine's monumental book by the same name. The cover art features a painting of Augustine's imagined city. It's also the theme of the title song and serves as a fitting summary of what this recording is all about. "Let us build the City of God / may your tears be turned into dancing / for the Lord, our light and our love / has turned the night into day."

When a friend of mine heard the opening electric guitar chords, he was as surprised as I was. That's how the song "City of God" starts. It's a fuller sound and the electric guitar is prominent around the chorus. "Blest Be the Lord" and "Sing to the Mountain" follow the same pattern musically. All have kind of a world-music sound with harmonizing that is reminiscent of the Talbot brothers. These songs reflect the joy that can be found in being part of the city of God.

But if you prefer John Michael Talbot's quiet side, have no fear. Most of the songs are done in his familiar style. Especially comforting are "Here I Am" and "Hosea," where John Michael sings as if God was speaking. "God Beyond All Names" and "Shepherd Me, O God" are chants that start quietly and build to a choir of petitioners. They will draw you in.

Most of the songs are all vertical in nature-sung directly to God. Lyrically, they are not overly complex, which makes them easy to use in a church setting. These are songs that John Michael Talbot has sung in congregations throughout the world.

This recording is a follow-up to the popular Table of Plenty that was released in 1997. Having never heard it, I can't make a comparison, but I don't believe that those who enjoyed the early recording would be disappointed with this.

City of God does more than soothe-it offers up simple praise and worship.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars City of God - John Michael Talbot, September 5, 2005

By 

Jeanette M. Eastham "spirit hawk" (Lansing, MI USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: City of God (Audio CD)

I didn't fall in love with this CD immediately like I have on some of his early works. The format isn't what I expected and caught me off guard. Though I am still listening to the CD and it will probably grow on me. To me his early music was very grounding and this is more upbeat.

5.0 out of 5 stars City of God, February 11, 2012

By 

Jim C - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: City of God (Audio CD)

John Michael Talbot is the most spiritual performer I have ever heard. Any denomination would appreciate JMT's music. One can find "Peace" on earth just listening to any or his recordings. I have all or his CD's and City of God is one of my favorites along with "Worship And Bow Down." Keep them coming John.

Jim C