Customer Reviews

Storm

5 star:		(23)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Fall is a dramatic season that evokes a sense of change, uncertainty, mystery, and reflection, and has an ominous characteristic given by the fluctuation of weather that accompanies it, initially the turning of warm summer into cold winter. A stirring mood all in it's own, FALL is what I would associate with this album from Fernando Ortega and how I would describe it in one simple term. All of this is reflected throughout the whole CD and clearly made evident with the mentioning of geese flying south, remarkably illustrated in track number eight: This Time Next Year. Altogether the feeling created by Ortega's voice, melodies and lyrics here on this album, is soothing and persuaded me to just slow down, sit still, listen quietly and imagine. Imagine the "weight of clouds pulling down the sky" and "the varnished sun lighting up the fields" found in Storm, the title track. This album is a professional advancement, continuing even more, the aspect of Ortega's style from past projects. Plain and simple lyrics that say so much, and once again it's like prayers effortlessly set in song.

The album opens with a wonderful, gentle beat in Traveler, which has a striking chorus of: "Heavenly Father, remember the traveler, bring us safely home." Following this song is: Come Ye Sinners, Poor & Needy, which is another strong and fantastic composition of lyrics. The voices of Ortega and Amy Grant make such a wonderful match here that it really brings the song together, enunciating the message of assurance. City of Sorrows is almost intense, caused tears to well up the first time I listened and made me sing along nearly crying at the start of the chorus, "Oh Jerusalem, city of thrones, the blood of your people, still darkens the stones." To me, there seemed to be a small hint of a likeness to The Book of Revelations with this track as well as number seven: Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence.

Christina's Dream, number five, is an instrumental piece with violin, piano, percussion, tin whistle and guitars. The quality fine-tuning of this arrangement seems to have a rejuvenating effect, a sense of smooth movement, timeless, endless, expressive, deep and mood mending. Sometimes just this beautiful track alone is what I desire the most from this CD, and I'll play it over and over again, with it never growing old. Truly is an appropriately titled piece of work because it seems just like a dream.

This album is yet another lovely addition to the collection of music by Ortega and is nothing short of profound! Dynamic and primary, much like the chosen colors of indigo blue and rich red/orange that adorn the CD and its case in simple contemporary form. For Ortega fans, this album is more of what we've come to know and love, and those who are familiar with Fernando Ortega will certainly like/enjoy this worthy CD. Your collection should not go without it.

Not having read all the reviews and only hearing and immediatly Buying "Storm" ...and now for the second hearing....
This is Fernando Ortega's Best output yet.
I did not think that He would outdo "Home"....
Every song stands alone and unique and melodic and moving,
lyrically and musically...."Storm" is Perfect!

I have the pleasure of owning all Fernando on Cd,
and my heart feels at ease knowing that He is exceeding his earlier work and perfecting his already "original" sound.

What I think stands out with "Storm" than his other Cd's,
is the Maturing Production and writing.....He sounds Confident and wholy connected to his work and his ongoing collaberation with John Andrew Schreiner seems to serve his messege even more.

So with that said...I have to recommend Every song on "Storm".
His duet with Amy Grant is a beautiful song and Amy in the background reaches a new level of musical altitude.

If your started With "Storm" as your introduction to Fernado Ortega's music....keep in mind, he is like no other Christian artist....I happen to feel that the Christian Music scene is lacking in good quality music lately....But with Fernado on board,....lets hope for a resurgance.

Storm is a great project for a variety of reasons. Musically, it is pure Fernando Ortega! I love the way he brings many different styles together to make a wonderful sound. Content-wise, Storm is good for the world-weary soul. Songs included:

Traveler; Come Ye Sinners- Poor and Needy, a duet with Amy Grant; Light of Heaven (my favorite on this CD); Storm; Cristina's Dream (Instrumental); Our Great God; Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silent; This Time Next Year; A Place on the Earth; City of Sorrows; Sing to Jesus; Jesus Paid It All (my favorite of the hymns)

The more I listen to Fernando Ortega the more I love his music. I really connect with his music on many levels. In my opinion, Storm is one of his best projects he has done. You will be enriched every time you listen to this music.

... is what this entire album is. Few other Christian artists have such an expressive touch with language, and the way Ortega uses his, in a down-to-earth, deeply lyrical way, when combined with his almost ethereal yet also rooted voice, should be heard by everyone at least once. With elements of country rejuvenated by Ortega's fresh folk outlook, the sound of this album redeems the ideology of rural America. And, also like rural America, his words can take on a nobler theme, rooted in tradition, poetry and history, as in the profoundly moving "City of Sorrows". Everything from the willowy sound of a close-to-nature life to the complex relationships between people, and further to the weighted history embraced by Christians everywhere, all is treated here, and lifted up in gratitude. Profound and peaceful, this album will impress anyone who lends it a serious ear.

I have this CD too and it is one of my favorites. Fernando Ortega is a great musician, singer, songwriter and arranger. I love every song on it and so do my kids.

Fernando is a quiet burn. His music gently pierces through the soul to reach the innermost portions. When I first heard him, it was easy to assume that he was another CCM fluff artist with platitudes to share. However, underneath his accessable chord structures lies a quality of music, a depth of thought, and above all, a desire to engage the listener in worship that truly has refreshed me. I purchased Home after hearing it at a friends house, and over a period of several months, it rarely left my player--but I was unhappy that a few of the cuts seemed to lack focus. Storms seems much more focused to me, even more worshipful, and truly has been helpful in pointing me to my Bible. This is worth your time and your listen.

Fernando Ortega once again has produced a CD with lyrics of greater depth than many others I have seen.

"Traveler" is a great start to this CD, similar to his "Road Song" on The Breaking of the Dawn, but with a slightly different feel. The second song is done surprisingly well, considering his choice of Amy Grant to sing with. "Light of Heaven" is pretty unique, and "Storm" is a bit like "Lonely Road" in Home. "Christina's Dream" is a soothing instrumental piece, a bit like the calm after the storm. "Our Great God" shows the thought Ortega puts into his lyrics. The combination with the music is quite nice. My favorite, by far, is "Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence." The way he orchestrates this old hymn is amazing and picturesque. "This Time Next Year" is a meditative, quiet family song, similar to those found in Home. "A Place on the Earth" is pretty interesting and upbeat. "City of Sorrows" is an interesting, sad song about Jerusalem. This could have been a song written while Jesus was weeping over Jerusalem. "Jesus Paid It All" is another great orchestration of a rich hymn.

What I really like is the fact that Fernando Oretega plays the piano on numerous songs he sings and that his voice is relaxed, not inflated or strained. Enjoy! Look around, and you'll find great deals on this CD and others by him.

A dear friend gave this CD to me several years ago. I have cabinets full of CDs, but this is my favorite. My son travels by air over 2000 miles to university, and the first time he left home, this CD was playing on the way to the airport. It was dark and spitting snow. The first track, Traveler, touched us profoundly. We have played that song each time he has left home to return to college. He graduates next week. Music is a huge part of our family's life, but this particular CD has changed us forever. This music will change your life. It is that important. Storm is one of the only sure things in this world.

Fernando Ortgea's album "Storm" is a descent follow-up to the ever spectacular "Home" album. It would be unfair to compare the two albums, since "Home" is one of those CDs that excells at everything musically and is a once in a career genius outing by most standards. With that, "Storm" still delivers and is probably Ortgea's second best outing.

Ortgea has been one of those artist, until "Home" who produced usually three exceptional songs on each CD with the rest of the songs just reaching the nominal plain at best. This CD produces many good works.

The opening tune, "Traveler" is catchy as a folk/pop ballad. The second trcak, "Come Ye Sinners..." with a duet with the Contempary Christian Muisc Icon Amy Grant, is a song one wants to join in and sing. Their voices are a good contrast with Ortegas ever clear and smooth vocals posed against Amy's well pitched, yet huskier alto sound.

Unlike "Home" where one is hard pressed to find anything average, the next three tarcks in Storm, including the title track are just that, average. "Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence" is maybe a little slow, but a nice interpretation of a classic Western Liturgy hymm.

"City of Sorrows" is probably the CDs strongest track as it takes the prophetic Ezekiel's words to a tragic and sorrowful sound that speaks to one's heart. Tracks 11 and 12 are also very well produced and performed. Whether Christian or secular, Ortgea is probably one of the best vocalists around. This CD is enjoyable and one will can much pleasure from it, and hopefully, also a thankful heart unto the Lord.

I listen to this cd all the time. It never ceases to amaze me. Come Ye Sinners Poor and Needy is breathtaking.