Customer Reviews

Made To Shine

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I bought this for the song "Miracle"... I was very pleased. I had never heard any of the other songs on this CD but I like every one of them. I am 42 and this, as far as I am concerned, would be a great item for those who appreciate light to medium rock sound with a true Christian message.

this cd was a gift from a friend and I was skeptical from viewing the pretty boy cover but its been in my cd changer since first listen. I cut my teeth listening to The Police, U2 (especially the first three albums), REM and Peter Gabriel and grew into a Radiohead and Foo Fighters devotee. I can't quite place the influences but I enjoy these songs in a way I did when I first discovered these favorite bands.

This cd has great variety and is immensely listenable. The lyrics are positive but not over the top while the music is interesting, well thought out, and very well produced. The songs have grown on me more and more with every listen. I especially love Rise Above which rocks in a progressive and intricate way. I haven't found other releases from him so this must be his first release but I have a feeling it won't be his last.

I first saw John David Webster at a small worship concert at my friend's church. Ever since, I can't seem to get enough. This album is Webster's 2nd (maybe 3rd) album. His first is titled Toward the Western Sky, and is difficult to get ahold of. If you like this album, you should try to get ahold of a Calvary Chapel church, since they're likely to have copies. Anyway, I'd suggest this artist to anybody, whether they're a Christian or not. His music is moving and enjoyable to listen to.

I had the privilege of seeing John David Webster live this summer for the first time at KCU for Summer In The Son and he's AWESOME!!! His music touched my soul and lifted me up. I'm an over 40 fan for life. He's a real person with an encouraging spirit and beautiful voice. His skills on a piano only add to his vocals in a way that's addicting. I purchased his cd while in Kentucky, and listen to it non-stop! It's in my car cd player, my computer at home, and my computer at work, along with his Live at Lakeview cd, which is also wonderful. I've shared it with friends and they love it too! I can't wait to buy it for my friend's birthday present. She'll love it just as I do. If you get the opportunity to worship with John David, by all means, DO. You'll be blessed ... I was! God Bless.

I wasn't crazy about this collection the first time I listened to it. I played it in my car and just let it keep playing. In my 40's, I thought maybe it just wasn't my generational cup o' tea, even though he sounds at times like the lead singer of Foreigner (it was big group in the 70's and 80's). I could concentrate on other things while it played -- it was background noise. It took 3 days of hearing it on the way to and from work, running errands, etc, to realize that I was starting to enjoy the songs. There isn't anything complicated in it. Webster doesn't strain for anything vocally and the lyrics are simple. My only real complaint is that like so many of his contemporaries in "Christian" music, the music is not Christian. It may be based on Christian principles, but the listener could take this music as directed to and about anyone -- Buddha, Allah, God, a wife, a current girlfriend, a former girlfriend. To me it's best classified as "God Lite" - not "light" as in 'too shine', but "light" as in 'not much substance'. One song has a reference to "God", another a reference to "Lord" and the last song of the collection mentions both and how God sent his "son". If he says God or Lord too often, or god-forbid, says "Jesus" at ALL (he doesn't), he would alienate the God Light radio stations that proliferate now. He would definitely eliminate any chance of being accepted on mainstream radio. Course, it's not just him. Obviously there's market for music that is "spiritual" as long as it's not religious. But the absence of "Jesus" anywhere on this album keeps it from moving me as a Christian. I enjoy it for what it is -- a mainstream collection to the unidentified "You" for the spiritually uncommitted or unconcerned. In our minds we can each identify "You" as we see fit, making this album anything we want it to be. Can I get a witness, My Sweet Lord/Hare Krishna?

JDW is an incredible performer; if you ever have the opportunity to see him in concert....DO! There's a reason his first song,"Miracle" made it to #4 on Billboard! His somewhat raspy voice is a slight reminder of Rod Stewart. All of the songs on this CD are so catchy. Not "noisy" music. Very enjoyable(and I'm in my 40's)!!!!! But my 17 and 20 year old kids entroduced me to his music.

The only reason to buy John David's CD is if you like great vocals, catchy melodies that stay in your head for days, a variety of great musicians who know how to craft a song, and lyrics that pay homage to the One responsible for your ability to even hear the music. Other than that, I see no reason to buy this CD.

I was automatically entered to win this CD on my radio station . . . I DIDN'T want it - I had heard Miracle and always hated it. So now I'm stuck with this CD, and it's TERRIBLE!! All the songs are the worst and they all sound the same! His voice is really bad too. And, of course, he has all of those poses - I didn't like that part at all. Also, notice how all of the song names are the same names as other singer's songs . . . Rebeccas St. James, Paul Wright, Matt Goss, Rachael Lampa, etc. He's another cheap artist who sings about the same, same things that every cheap artist does. Contrary to all of the other reviews, don't waste your money on this . . . luckily I didn't. Look into 4Him, Avalon, Andy Chrisman, or Mark Harris. Music isn't worth it if it's stuff like this.

OK - one compliment I have to give him is the one thing he puts in the booklet . . . "Thank you for teaching me REAL LOVE. YOU PICK ME UP time and time again, and lighten up my HEAVY LOAD. YOU WAIT FOR ME, and GIVE ME LOVE til I COME ALIVE. NOW, I need ou more than ever, 'cause we're all counting on a MIRACLE. And when troubles come, may God give us the strength to RISE ABOVE, and remind us once again that we were MADE TO SHINE. IT'S ALL FOR YOU!" . . . It's kind of neat how he puts all the songs together that way!