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new CHRISTIAN-GOSPEL CDs
SPRING 2001

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new CHRISTIAN-GOSPEL CDs

    POSTED 14 JUNE 2001

    NEW AND NOTABLE

    "Oxygen" Avalon
    ...available here.
    Glistening with four-part harmonies and power-pop appeal, Avalon are back with "Oxygen," their fifth release of joyful, uplifting music. The group's smooth textures and glossy productions have proven irresistible to fans of CCM since their self-titled debut was released in 1996, and "Oxygen"'s sparkling pop melodies should only further boost their popularity. If you're looking for inspiration, let these experts provide it.
    Read more
    ...available here.

    "Big Blue Sky" Bebo Norman
    ...available here.
    Bebo Norman has gained a measure of experience while further honing his songwriting skills since his 1999 debut record, "Ten Thousand Days," first brought him his strong contemporary Christian music following. "Big Blue Sky" shows off just how much he's grown, presenting a solid set that continues his folk-pop explorations of faith, love, and Christianity.
    Read more
    ...available here.

    "Vol. 1-Festival Con Dios" Newsboys
    ...available here.
    Festival con Dios is the CCM version of Lollapalooza, featuring a lineup of massively popular acts like Audio Adrenaline and Newsboys as well as a variety of activities like wall climbing, trampoline bungee jumping, interactive games, and more. It's an ambitious summer showcase for CCM music, as this scintillating sampler CD makes clear. Give it a listen and get jazzed for the big, big show.

    Read more
    ...available here.

    2001 DOVE AWARDS

    Winners and Nominees Recognizing the accomplishments of heartland rock, the Christian music industry handed Atlanta's Third Day five wins, including Best Group and Best Artist, at the 2001 Dove Awards ceremony on April 26. Altogether the band and its individual members hauled in a total of 15 awards. The presentation, which showcased acts who express their spirituality through song, reflected a diverse group of styles and genres. There's an easy way to see how the night played out--check out our list of the award winners and nominees from the 2001 Dove Awards.
    * Read the article
    ...available here.

    SPOTLIGHT RELEASE

    "Mark Schultz" Mark Schultz
    ...available here.
    In seeking inspirational sources for his music, Mark Schultz wandered down a number of dead-end streets before becoming a youth pastor. Suddenly, in helping others, he found himself, and his work has now suddenly taken on an overtly inspirational and spirtual tone. His self-titled debut is filled with anthemic power rock, balanced by heartfelt ballads and touches of R&B that set off his very personal tales of grace and belief. It's the unmistakable sound of faith as well as that of a star being born.
    Read more
    ...available here.

    RECOMMENDED

    "Blue Pony" Julie Miller
    ...available here.
    A customer from New York recommends "Blue Pony" from Julie Miller: "Miller's voice reaches in, grabs hold of your heart, and for the entire album, doesn't let go. With both bold and sentimental lyrics, Julie Miller sings her heart out, and sing she can! Her voice is a combination of rock 'n' roll with a bit of a country twang, and her harmonies chill to the bone."
    Read more
    ...available here.

    FREE MUSIC DOWNLOAD

    Delivering the Word Catholic priest Stan Fortuna uses the music of rap and hip-hop to deliver a spiritual message of brotherly love and praise. And he does it with street credibility! Download "Kumbya," his dope antidrug anthem and proclamation against teen suicide, from his CD "Sacro Song."
    ...available here.

    Go to download
    ...available here.

    FEED YOUR MUSICAL APPETITE

    The newest titles, the hottest bands, our favorite discoveries--let our expert editors e-mail you the best of the music world with Delivers. Choose your favorite genres to begin receiving more e-mail recommendations.
    ...available here.

    Go to sign-up page
    ...available here.
    Also, check out the New & Future Releases page to view titles by release date, catch the latest digital downloads, investigate the coolest new reissues, and more.
    ...available here.

    MORE ON THE DOVE AWARDS COVERAGE

    Winners and Nominees
    Recognizing the accomplishments of heartland rock, the Christian music industry handed Atlanta's Third Day five wins, including Best Group and Best Artist, at the 2001 Dove Awards ceremony on April 26. Altogether the band and its individual members hauled in a total of 15 awards. The presentation, which showcased acts who express their spirituality through song, reflected a diverse group of styles and genres. There's an easy way to see how the night played out--check out our list of the award winners and nominees from the 2001 Dove Awards.
    ... here.

    NEW AND NOTABLE

    "Solo"
    Dc Talk
    Our price: $9.97
    ...buy it here. A special sneak preview EP containing songs from the trio's three forthcoming solo records, "Solo" shows off the range that this Christian megaband has developed after working together for more than a decade. Mixing together a variety of pop, rock, and hip-hop songs, it features two solo efforts from each member's soon-to-be-released album as well as a new track from the band itself. The deluge of new material should placate fans who have had to make do with only the greatest-hits collection "Intermission" since 1998's "Supernatural."

    "Free To Fly"
    Point of Grace Our price: $13.99 | You save: $3.98
    ...buy it here. A soaring collection of Point of Grace's angelic four-part harmonies, "Free to Fly" delivers the blissfully melodic praise-and-worship material that fans have come to expect. Their first studio record in three years, "Fly" finds the Arkansas quartet in fine voice on a diverse selection of accessible power-pop songs that artfully communicate a rich musicality, inspirational power, and deep spiritual conviction.

    "26 Letters" Ben Glover Our price: $13.99 | You save: $2.98
    ...buy it here. It's hard to believe "26 Letters" is Ben Glover's debut record. Packed with intelligent pop, contemplative ballads, and an insightful maturity for someone so young, the album displays a confident touch that reminds the listener of established acts like Steven Curtis Chapman and this year's other breakthrough artist, Chris Rice. Crafty guitars and emotive vocals seem to come naturally to Glover, and this record would seem to herald the presence of a new voice in contemporary Christian pop.

    SPOTLIGHT RELEASE

    "Spirit of the Century"
    Blind Boys of Alabama Our price: $12.99 | You save: $3.98
    ...buy it here. With soulful song readings and a compelling mix of the contemporary and the traditional, "Spirit of the Century" provides both the spiritual songs that have made the Blind Boys a gospel institution as well as intriguing tweaks that revitalize the formula. Augmenting their sound with the instrumental work of John Hammond and Charlie Musselwhite, the band performs songs by relative youngsters like Tom Waits and Ben Harper to produce a record that plays to their strengths while exploring the bluesy underbelly of gospel music.

    "The Promise" Plus One Our price: $12.99 | You save: $3.98
    ...buy it here. A customer from California recommends "The Promise" from Plus One, this year's Dove Award winner for New Artist of the Year: "From the sweet ballad of 'Last Flight Out' to the upbeat tunes of 'Written on My Heart,' every song is a winner! I love every single song on this CD and it has never left my CD player. Get Plus One's CD and you won't be disappointed, I promise."

    FREE MUSIC DOWNLOADS

    Delivering the Word
    Catholic priest Stan Fortuna uses the music of rap and hip-hop to deliver a spiritual message of brotherly love and praise. And he does it with street credibility! Download "Kumbya," his dope antidrug anthem and proclamation against teen suicide, from his CD "Sacro Song."
    Go to download
    ...buy it here.

    IN BOOKS

    "Take Me to the River" Al Green Our price: $20.00 | You save: $5.00
    ...buy it here. Filled with fascinating parables of sin and redemption, anguish and rejuvenation, Al Green's "Take Me to the River" chronicles the famous singer's journey from his work as a sharecropper on the family farm in Arkansas to the heights of fame as a musician to the peace he has attained as a preacher. For music lovers--or anyone else--it's an inspiring read.
    Also check out the New & Future Releases page to view titles by release date, catch the latest digital downloads, investigate the coolest new reissues, and more.
    ...buy it here.

    "Sonicpraise"
    SonicFlood
    ...buy it here.
    SonicFlood deliver some of the strongest music in contemporary Christian rock on "SonicPraise," which continues in the same sunny, alt-pop vein that made their self-titled debut (and the contemporary Christian chart-topping single "I Want to Know You") such a treat. As devout as they are catchy, SonicFlood keep broadening the definition of praise-and-worship music.

    "Demons And Angels [BOX SET]"
    Reverend Gary Davis
    ...buy it here.
    A legendary ragtime-blues guitar man as well as an ordained minister, the Reverend Gary Davis plays raspy-voiced sermon songs that have become part of the lexicon for roots-music practitioners. Davis, who started off as a straight-up bluesman then later developed a strong gospel tinge as more and more of his shows became sermons, produces music that is warm and real, full of faith, and universal in its folksy appeal. "Demons and Angels," which brings together much of the work from his productive later years, features a mix of live-performance and studio classics. It's essential listening for anyone who wants to fortify the soul.

    "Hit Parade"
    Audio Adrenaline
    ...buy it here.
    Audio Adrenaline, who have long been putting the "rock" in "Christian rock," showcase their greatest hits as well as new material on "Hit Parade." With this release, which features two new songs alongside pop gems like "Get Down" and "Walk on Water," Audio Adrenaline continue to push the boundary of what Christian rock is supposed to sound like, dragging mainstream audiences into the fold with catchy songs and topnotch musicianship.

    OUR CUSTOMERS RECOMMEND

    "For This Cause"
    Hillsong Music Australia
    ...buy it here.
    A customer from Roseville, California, recommends "For This Cause," a Hillsongs Music Australia release of live recordings from artists such as Darlene Zschech: "Hillsongs Music has once again blown the lid off worship music. Each CD they release gets better and better. God has certainly blessed this church with a gifted, talented team. Darlene Zschech has one of the best voices in Christian music... and the multitalented Reuben Morgan also proves himself an anointed songwriter with many different styles to keep the songs fresh."

    ARTIST ESSENTIALS

    Michael W. Smith, who wrote songs and played keyboards for Amy Grant in the early 1980s, broke out on his own in the middle of that decade and soon established himself as one of Christian music's superstars. Smith's evangelical message comes with an unapologetically modern and keyboards-driven sound, a combination that has propelled him into the limelight. Amazon.com's Music editors have compiled a list of his essential recordings for your listening pleasure.
    Go to Christian essentials
    ...buy it here.

    FREE MUSIC DOWNLOADS

    Delivering the Word
    Catholic priest Stan Fortuna uses the music of rap and hip-hop to deliver a spiritual message of brotherly love and praise. And he does it with street credibility! Download "Kumbya," his dope antidrug anthem and proclamation against teen suicide, from his CD "Sacro Song."
    ...buy it here.

    IN BOOKS

    "Take Me to the River"
    Al Green
    ...buy it here.
    Filled with fascinating parables of sin and redemption, anguish and rejuvenation, Al Green's "Take Me to the River" chronicles the famous singer's journey from his work as a sharecropper on the family farm in Arkansas to the heights of fame as a musician to the peace he has attained as a preacher. For music lovers--or anyone else--it's an inspiring read.

    FEED YOUR MUSICAL APPETITE

    The newest titles, the hottest bands, our favorite discoveries--let our expert editors e-mail you the best of the music world with Delivers. Choose your favorite genres to begin receiving more e-mail recommendations.
    ...buy it here.

    Also, check out the New & Future Releases page to view titles by release date, catch the latest digital downloads, investigate the coolest new reissues, and more.
    ...buy it here.

    USED AND COLLECTIBLE MUSIC

    Amazon.com Music now features used and collectible CDs on detail pages for new items. You'll find a box on the detail page for any CD offered by a Marketplace seller. With each listing, we offer the name and a rating for each seller to help you make informed purchasing decisions, and all these items are Amazon.com Payments enabled, so you can safely and securely purchase them with a credit card. Our used inventory has grown dramatically, so visit Amazon.com Music and explore.
    ...buy it here.

    "The Experience"
    Yolanda Adams
    ...buy it here.
    The R&B-tinged gospel of Yolanda Adams is back on "The Experience," the follow-up to her Grammy-winning "Mountain High...Valley Low" (notwithstanding her holiday release, "Christmas with Yolanda Adams"). Working with a freer hand than most other gospel singers, Adams includes "secular" touches like intensely soulful melodies and electronic effects.  She continues to liven up the gospel world, bringing new fans to a genre that could use them.

    "WOW Gospel 2001"
    Wow Gospel
    ...buy it here.
    A double-disc compilation featuring some of contemporary gospel's best-known artists, "WOW Gospel 2001" is the latest in the wildly popular WOW series. With tracks from gospel heavyweights like CeCe Winans, New Direction, and Yolanda Adams, it's a convenient place to start exploring the latest voices of music's most joyous expression.

    "Songs 4 Worship: Shout To The Lord"
    Songs 4 Worship
    ...buy it here.
    An immensely satisfying collection of the highlights from the praise and worship movement, "Songs 4 Worship: Shout to the Lord" is a thrilling and harmonically brilliant assembly of songs. A wide variety of artists from the talent pool of contemporary Christian music--from Paul Baloche and Ron Kenoly to Delirous and Amy Grant--make this an ideal way to get all this great music in one place.

    OUR CUSTOMERS RECOMMEND

    "A Songwriter's Project, Vol. 1"
    Overstreet,Paul
    ...buy it here.
    A customer from Denver, Colorado, recommends "A Songwriter's Project, Vol. 1," from Paul Overstreet: "Paul has taken his classics like Randy Travis's 'Diggin' Up Bones' and turned it into a rockin' bluesy tune you'll want to play again and again. Buy it. It's well produced. It's a classic. It will become your new favorite. It is mine."

    ARTIST ESSENTIALS

    Choir director Carol Cymbala and her husband, pastor Jim Cymbala, helped jump-start the withering congregation of the now-famous Brooklyn Tabernacle. She began with a tiny choir that over the past two decades has become the 240-voice Grammy and Dove award-winning group. Amazon.com's music editors have compiled a list of the choir's essential recordings for your listening pleasure.
    ...buy it here.

    FREE MUSIC DOWNLOADS

    Delivering the Word
    Catholic priest Stan Fortuna uses the music of rap and hip-hop to deliver a spiritual message of brotherly love and praise. And he does it with street credibility! Download "Kumbya," his dope antidrug anthem and proclamation against teen suicide, from his CD "Sacro Song."
    ...buy it here.

    DVD STORE

    "Left Behind - The Movie"
    Victor Sarin
    ...buy it here.
    Part sci-fi head trip, part religious-themed allegory, "Left Behind: The Movie" brings to the screen the first book in the immensely popular series of apocalyptic novels by authors Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins. Starring Kirk Cameron and Brad Johnson, it's a well-paced thriller with a tale that's as much a warning as it is a message.

    NEW & FUTURE DELIVERS

    Sign up for our weekly New & Future Delivers mailing so you'll always be in the know when it comes to the hottest titles.
    ...sign up here.
    Also, check out the New & Future Releases page to view titles by release date, catch the latest digital downloads, investigate the coolest new reissues, and more.
    ...browse here.

Editor, Matthew Cooke ©, 2001 amazon.com and ncdn associates of amazon.com,bn,tower,cdnow

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reviews excerpted are copyright © 2001 amazon.com & associate ncdn and CDnow, TowerRecords, Barnes & Nobel associates