Customer Reviews

Live From Austin Music Hall

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
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1 star:		(0)

 

 

Chris Tomlin's new CD "Live From Austin Music Hall" (Released 12/27/05) is a wonderful collection representative of Tomlin's signature worship songs. From the opener "Indescribable" to the last track "Famous One" the listener is drawn to worship an indescribable God through acknowledgment of a few of His many attributes. Tomlin leads us to praise God's love that endures "Forever", His "Kindness" that brings repentance, and the fact that He is "Unchanging". Tomlin reminds us that "God is on Our Side" and can't be against us, and makes the undeniable statements "This is our God", "How Great is Our God" and that the heaven's declare the "Famous One".

After the initial celebratory applause from the expectant audience is hushed to near silence by quiet, simple strains of solo piano music, Tomlin's voice breaks through for the first time. Accompanied only by solo piano, Tomlin leads the listener into an intimate moment with the Creator singing "From the highest of heights to the depths of the sea ..." and immediately the audience is heard in unison, singing as one voice, this personal prayer song. One of this reviewer's favorite moments on this CD occurs as the second verse begins, again with Tomlin accompanied only by soft piano, we hear him begin "Who has told every lightning bolt where it should go..." and the full band suddenly breaks in adding a thunderous punctuation to the words "lightning bolt". The audience responds in an eruption of applause and delight as they realize they were just lifted to the next level in worship. "Indescribable" is the appropriate choice to lead off this worship album because it sets the tone for things to come and puts the focus on the Creator, the Indescribable.

Next, Tomlin picks up the tempo with the joyous and familiar worship anthem "Forever" and the audience helps keep time with enthusiastic hand-clapping and toe-tapping. The third track on the album reclaims the intimate setting with a melody accompanied by simple bass and acoustic guitar. Tomlin sings about the Lord's "Kindness" and how it leads to repentance.

"Unchanging" is another joyous tune that nudges the audience to "raise up holy hands" to celebrate God's unchanging, never failing nature. Seth Walker, a fellow Texan from Austin, then joins Tomlin onstage to add his vocals to the bluesy rocker "God is On Our Side" that has the sold-out crowd reveling in that very truth, and the fact that He can't be against us. Tomlin also invites David Crowder, yet another Texan and anointed worship leader, to share the stage for the poignant "This is Our God", a ballad-type tune that penetrates the heart of a worshiper and is a wonderful reminder of Who God is.

"How Great is Our God" closes out the time of worship and this track contains another favorite moment for this reviewer. It is the transition of the "How Great is Our God" chorus into a favorite hymn with the words "Then sings my soul...." "How Great Thou Art", the timeless melody and chorus, capture the majesty of God like no other hymn I know, especially as it is being sung in unison by the many voices, and hearts turned to the Lord, packed into the sold-out venue.

God has anointed Chris Tomlin to lead us into worship and he does so with great talent and great humility. This CD contains many worship songs that are familiar to people who are fans of praise and worship music, especially those who are fans of Passion and "One Day" festivals, but there is something special about listening to these songs live. The audience in Austin gets a thumbs up review as well because their heart of worship is so evident through their enthusiastic participation in song and celebration. The 8 track CD is packed full of songs that help a listener focus on the attributes of God and serve to inspire intimate moments of worship that virtually transport one to stand in awe before the throne of God, and to humbly bow at the feet of Jesus.

(The only negative to this CD is that is is only 8 tracks long, and really has nothing new or innovative to add to the plethora of worship music available these days. However, it is a quality addition to any praise and worship music collection.)

Well, I have to confess that I had never heard of Chris until I was taken to a concert back in 2004. Of all the bands that played that night, I have to admit Chris really reached me. This CD has a good balance between worshipful songs and ones that rock. Chris' lead guitarist often sounds somewhat similar to U2's 'the Edge' especially on 'Forever' which really adds a great dimension to the song. I had never fully appreciated worship songs until I heard Chris do 'How Great is Our God' which gave me a whole new perspective and is very effectively captured on this CD. Besides those tunes, the CD becomes a must-buy with the inclusion of a superb energetic version of 'Indescribable' and other popular songs such as 'Famous One' & 'Raise Up Holy Hands.' I had been hoping since that concert that he would release a CD from that tour, and my hope has now been answered (imagine that).

2/06 update: eight of us just saw Chris again in Saginaw, MI and days later we all agreed that it was one of the best worship experiences of our lives. It's certainly difficult for a CD to fully match the experience of being there, but with the right perspective, it can get you pretty close. Be sure to try and see Chris on his current tour w/Matt Redman & speaker Louie Giglio.

This is great. Never have really gotten into the new christian music. This is a great one to begin with.

Saw Chris for the first time in Sept.2010 in Walt Disney for Night of Joy. His voice is so beautiful had to buy one of his CD's will be back for more.

I love Chris Tomlin ,and this Cd just makes me love his music ,his voice and his heart for the Lord !

This is a must have CD! Every song is absolutely wonderful. Highly recommend this album.

This is Chris Tomlin's best album, but that's not saying much since the others were mostly hit or miss. It's interesting because Tomlin actually toys with the arrangement of the songs, changing them from their album version quite a bit. "Indescribable" one of the top classics in CCM history, starts off as a very slow well done, but then quickly speeds up. I personally like the slower part better. But the crowd is great anyways, since every Christian in America has heard the song. "Forever" quite improves on the album version, and gives a great live performance. "On Our Side" is another great highlight.

"How Great Is Our God" is possibly the most improved song live, over album, in history. The album version was only OK, but this makes it from bland, to powerful. From skipable, to worship service lineup in church. And again the crowd really makes the song. When the crowd sings back a song with all it's might, it's an instant classic, and a great moment for the listener, and the artist.

However, the album is quite short, 8 songs in all. Could more have been added? Most definitely, if he couldn't record anymore, grab some Passion recordings. The Passion version of "Famous One" is a lot better than this version. So, I would have liked to seen Passion version, but this is good. Chris Tomlin is going in some Hall of Fame somewhere, and for good reason. He still could be better, but he's made his mark, and few artists to that. So give him his props, he deserves it.

"Forever" is such an amazing song. Powerful. It is one of my favorite Christian songs.

This is an excellent collection of music by Chris Tomlin. I keep the CD in my car. You wont be disappointed.

This truly is an awesome praise and worship cd, for sure my favorite in my collection.
For fans of Chris Tomlin as well as those new to the musician, you can not go wrong giving this CD a listen.
I believe you will find yourself worshipping along, caught up in the power of the music.