Excellent Acoustic EP Featuring String Quartet| Posted November 21, 2020
Matt Redman released Let There Be Wonder, one of my favorite albums of 2020, in January, before the COVID-19 pandemic swept the world. He recently released this six-song EP Let There Be Wonder (Acoustic), featuring five songs from that album, plus his classic “Blessed Be Your Name”. What holds all of these stripped-down songs together is that they are all about Jesus, and praising his wonderful name.
Even if you are familiar with these songs, I think you’ll enjoy these new versions. What really stood out for me was the use of strings on these songs. The EP was produced by Steve Marcia, who had the idea to use a string quartet as a signature sound for this project. Recorded during the lockdown, we hear four different string players who recorded themselves in four different locations, with beautiful results. I also enjoyed the backing vocals.
Below are a few comments about each song: Let There Be Wonder (Intro) – The EP begins with the chorus of “Let There Be Wonder”, written by Redman, Joshua Silverberg, Jacob Sooter and Corey Voss. The brief song features keys and strings.
Key lyric: Let there be wonder, let there be wonder in this place Let there be worship, let there be worship for Your name Come Holy Spirit, how we need Your fire again Let there be wonder, let there be wonder We Praise You – This song was written by Redman, Brandon Lake, Brian Johnson and Phil Wickham. The song, about praising the Lord, features acoustic guitar, strings, piano and backing vocals.
Key lyric: We’ll see You break down every wall We’ll watch the giants fall Fear cannot survive when we praise You The God of breakthroughs on our side Forever lift Him high With all creation cry, ‘God, we praise You’ Oh, we praise You All Praise (Sing Praise) – This song was written by Redman, Andi Rozier and Jason Ingram. The song features piano, acoustic guitar, strings, and some wonderful backing vocals. God’s amazing grace far exceeds our past mistakes. God brought us back to life again and we will rise with Jesus from the grave. He is coming soon. His promises all come true and He deserves all praise.
Key lyric: Your name, Your name always Jesus, You alone deserve all praise Upon Him – This song was written by Redman, Andi Rozier and Jon Guerra. The song features acoustic guitar, piano, and backing vocals. There is no greater name than Jesus. One day every knee will bow and every heart confess (Philippians 2:10-11). Key lyric: Christ has died, we are forgiven And Christ alive, we are the risen And He shall come again Praise the King, praise the King Jesus Your Name – This song was written by Redman, Lindsey Sweet, Joshua Silverberg and Jacob Sooter. The song features backing vocals, piano, acoustic guitar, strings, and is about Jesus’s wonderful name.
Key lyric: Jesus Your name, when the whole world shakes Jesus Your name, I will ever praise My battle cry every night and day I’ll sing Your name over everything I’ll sing Your name over everything Blessed Be Your Name – This song was written by Beth and Matt Redman a few weeks after the tragedy of September 11, 2000, when they were in California for the start of a sabbatical break. The Redmans have said that this is “a song born out of the whole of life- a realization that we will all face seasons of pain or unease. And in these seasons we will need to find our voice before God. The Church (and indeed the world) needs it songs of lament." This version of the song has a slower pace than usual, and features strings, piano, acoustic guitar, backing vocals. Key lyric: You give and take away You give and take away
My heart will choose to say
Lord, blessed be Your name Best songs
All
to add lyrics if not listed.
