Experience Grammy Award-winning artist Casting Crowns on the most popular Christian tour of 2007/2008 reaching 450,000 people in 83 markets. This 2-disc set features eight live songs both on CD and DVD from Casting Crowns best-selling The Altar and The Door album, including the No. 1 hits “East to West” and “Every Man.” Bonus content includes a behind-the-scenes documentary, the new “Slow Fade” music video, and four five-minute teaching videos from lead-singer/songwriter and pastor Mark Hall specifically geared for personal use or in church services and bibles studies.
Special Features:
- “Slow Fade” Music Video
- Behind-The-Scenes Documentary: The Band, The Family & The Ministry
- Four five-minute Teaching Videos from lead singer Mark Hall that correspond to the songs, “Slow Fade,” "East to West," “Every Man” and “The Altar and The Door”
- 5.1 Surround Sound
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Casting Crowns [The Altar and the Door Live CD/DVD]| Posted October 07, 2008 [MAIN REVIEW]
I absolutely love Casting Crowns. I remember first hearing “Voice of Truth” on the radio waves back when I worked for a CHR affiliated radio station in Zephyrhills, FL in late 2004. That was all it took to get me hooked on one of the most successful Christian groups of the last five years. Having said that, I get excited when I hear that the group is releasing an album, whether it be a studio album, or in this case a live album.
August 19th, marks the release of Casting Crowns’ third live installment, this time covering the hits from their August 28, 2007 release, The Altar and the Door. In this third live release, fans can expect much of the same of the past releases. The biggest songs and performances from the selected album’s live national tour. I can say that I was part of this project in a way. Musically? No. Production? No. Then how was Jay Heilman of Christian Music Review involved with this Casting Crowns’ project? Well, I was a member of the audience at the show they recorded and used for this particular release! Yes, I am a part of Casting Crowns history. I tried spotting myself in the concert DVD that accompanies the CD, but no luck. There were just too many people there! Just kidding. J The concert contains the two biggest hits from Altar, including “East To West” and “Slow Fade”. Mark spends some time between each song encouraging the crowd in their personal walks with Christ. I guess it’s the youth pastor in him, but that’s what I really like about CC’s Mark Hall. He’s a straight forward, no non-sense and humble kind of guy.
The set-listing on this release was somewhat different then the others. While Live in Atlanta and Lifesong Live only contained songs from the corresponding albums, Altar Live included two other songs, one being “Praise You With The Dance” and the other, “Love Her Like Jesus”. You’ll especially like the little guitar-fiddle duel at the beginning of “Praise…” The wife definitely shows up the husband on this round! It was great to see this live too. It really got the crowd going, before Megan Garrett bursts into the vocals end of the track.
The group also performs my personal favorite from the album, “The Word Is Alive”. The message behind this song is definitely one that people need to hear. It teaches us to focus on God’s word and not denomination, version of the Bible or anything else that takes your focus off of Christ. The band is joined in “Somewhere In The Middle” by new artist and special guest, John Waller. While Waller only serves as background vocals on the track, but it is a time for people to catch a glimpse of what this extremely talented and ministry-first focused artist has to offer. We actually got the opportunity to hang out with John backstage just prior to performing with the band. He was humbled and honored that the band would ask him to come out and sing with them.
All in all, this live addition is a must have for Casting Crowns fans, but after three album-specific live releases, I wonder when the band will release a full-length concert DVD featuring hits from all of their albums. For those of you who are wondering what’s next for the band, you can check them out this fall when they release their first Christmas CD, Peace On Earth which is due out in stores on October 7, 2008.
CLOSING THOUGHTS
Thus far I have enjoyed the Live releases from Casting Crowns and Altar Live is no different. As mentioned in the review, the only complaint I have is that I wish the band would do full-length concert CD/DVD that spans across all of their hits and more. Bottom line, the band delivers once again what is sure to become a fan favorite.
Rating: 8.5 out of 10 (85%, B)
Review written by: Jay Heilman | Review can also be found here.
This review has been reprinted on NRT with permission from ChristianMusicReview.org. Click here to visit ChristianMusicReview.org today!
A SOMEWHAT SHORT SIDED CONCERT COLLECTION| Posted September 29, 2008
It’s become a tradition that with every studio CD Casting Crowns releases, a live CD and DVD follows suit. Though it may appear overkill to more casual listeners, die-hard followers are sure to appreciate this souvenir series, even if the brand-new The Altar and the Door Live doesn’t fully replicate the tour. Despite the original CD having 10 studio cuts (12 counting bonus tracks), this double disc only includes eight performances, which coupled with a few other catalogue cuts, means the entire album isn’t represented.
Though a bit misleading as a title, that problem can be somewhat overlooked thanks to the band and crowd’s passionate interaction throughout the inspirational opener “All Because of Jesus” and the more fleshed out pop/rock finale “What This World Needs” (along with the impressive acoustics of “Somewhere In the Middle,” accompanied by John Waller). While the audio installment allows for a portable soundtrack, the DVD provides a more meaningful grasp on the tour’s impressive light show, jumbo screen and overall production (which has grown considerably since 2004’s Live From Atlanta), alongside documentary snippets about the band’s backstage world, ministry and family life.
But either format still leaves listeners wanting more, whether that be the rest of The Altar and the Door or older hits like “If We Are the Body” or “Praise You In This Storm” (to name a handful). Sure those have popped up on Casting Crowns’ live collections before, but the band has yet to capture a complete concert on CD or film, with this project (though generally enjoyable in its own right) still leaving that void unfulfilled. –Andy Argyrakis
This review has been reprinted on NRT with permission from CMCentral.com. Click here to visit CMCentral.com today!
The Altar And The Door Live CD/DVD| Posted November 14, 2011
Continuing in the pattern the band has followed from the beginning (studio release - followed by live CD & DVD album), this 2-disc set features 8 songs performed live from the bands "The Altar and the Door" album. This release featured the most songs yet of any of the bands live CD/DVD sets. The songs are performed, recorded and produced well and will be a good release for anyone who enjoys live music or as a memory of the bands performace.
CC| Posted March 14, 2009
This album really isn't that bad. I really don't like to listen to live versions because itreally never sounds that great as the album version. but this one wasn't half bad.
Alter and the door live| Posted December 20, 2008
Well, again, it's live so I like the first version better, but those who collect Casting Crowns music, you gotta have this one, too! The songs are still good and again, for live music, it's great! Also having the DVD is kinda cool, too!
love it!!!| Posted September 25, 2008
LOVE IT!!!! LOVE IT!!! I am happy that i got this cd... i've been wanting to get it!! and i love it!!!!!!!love it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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