Recorded live on June 20 in Houston, TX with more than 12,000 worshippers in attendance, artist, composer, author and worship leader Michael W. Smith recorded his third highly-anticipated worship album A New Hallelujah.
“Since my last world tour a few years ago, I’ve been looking forward to recording a live worship project that reflected something more global than I’ve ever done before; a collection of songs and voices to translate what I experienced that year. I had hoped for an evening of worship that reflected the corners of our nation, and the world; I think we captured that. My great friend Israel Houghton, the world renowned African Children’s Choir, an incredible young worship leader named Coalo Zamorano and a 250-voice choir elevated the songs to amazing moments of praise and worship. It was more than I could have hoped for,” shares Smith.
With several new songs that Michael wrote especially for this project, as well as familiar ones such as “Mighty to Save” and “I Surrender All,” A New Hallelujah offers a uniquely moving worship experience for both fans of his highly-successful Worship brand, as well as those who are just discovering his music for the first time.
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01.
Intro
02.
Prepare Ye The Way
03.
A New Hallelujah (with the African Children's Choir)
04.
When I Think Of You (with the African Children's Choir)
05.
Mighty To Save
06.
Shout Unto God
07.
Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)
08.
Deep In Love With You
09.
Healing Rain/Let It Rain
10.
Majesty
11.
I Surrender All (with special guest Coalo Zamorano)
12.
Grace
13.
Intro to Help Is On The Way
14.
Help Is On The Way (with special guest Israel Houghton)
Top 10 Release Of 2008| Posted December 16, 2008
From the beginning track of Michael W. Smith?s third worship album, thankfully titled A New Hallelujah instead of Worship Some More, you know your about to hear something extremely special. Very few artists can lead a live worship service in front of a crowd of 15,000 worshipers, with a full choir, orchestra and a multitude of rotating guests, but Michael seems most comfortable and at home surrounded by massive talent and doing what he feels is his calling?leading worship. The result is an emersion of live music filled with heart, diversity and unwavering passion that pulls you in and doesn?t let go.
The addition of Israel Houghton, the world renowned African Children?s Choir and an incredible young worship leader named Coalo Zamorano provide new layers that help separate this project from Worship and Worship Again. The new songs are incredibly accessible, including the title track, ?Help Is On The Way,? ?The River Is Rising,? ?Grace? and the simplistic victory chant ?Shout Unto God?. Michael adds his trademark touch to familiar songs like ?Mighty To Save?, ?Healing Rain/Let It Rain?, ?Majesty? and ?Amazing Grace/My Chains Are Gone,? stepping aside and allowing the 12,000+ vocals to do the work. It?s an incredible sound to behold and the grandiose of this project was captured brilliantly.
There are few worship albums that truly blow me out of the water these days, but it?s obvious with A New Hallelujah, the only worship album that captured my attention and held it in 2008, that worship can be fresh, new, exciting and original. Hats off to Michael for continuing to set the bar for artist driven worship.
Michael W. Smith's "A New Hallelujah": A Review| Posted November 04, 2008
by C.E. Moore
Michael W. Smith has found his niche in worship music. First came Worship. Then came the aptly named Worship Again. Now, Smith returns with the album “A New Hallelujah.” And, while I like the album well enough, it’s really not new. With this release, Smith provides and amalgamation of fresh songs and songs that have been making the rounds for the past couple of years already. The album also features a few nice guest spots, such as the African Children’s Choir and Israel Houghton.
“Prepare Ye The Way” starts out the live event album on a solid number, but doesn’t necessarily break any new ground stylistically when compared to his earlier songs in the same genre. The next two songs “A New Hallelujah” and “When I Think Of You” both feature the African Children’s Choir. Both tracks rightly feature a decidedly African feel, but the addition of children don’t necessarily make the music stellar. “Mighty To Save” and “Shout Unto God,” both popularized by Hillsong United are done well enough, but they’re not as good as the originals. Given that the originals were also performed live, I’m not sure how things got lost in translation. Not bad. Not stellar. “I Surrender All” is the gem on the album, featuring lyrics sung in both English and Spanish. “Help Is On The Way” is also a notable addition to the project.
Usually, when I’m listening to a live album, I like to feel as if I were there. I know a live CD can never truly capture the electricity or the total energy of the event itself. Still, this latest offering really feels canned. Of course, this fact won’t stop the album from being a smash hit among worshiphiles and Michael W. Smith fans.
Overall, it feels like “A New Hallelujah” is a mixed bag. There are some tracks that are stellar. There are some that are just ho hum. The newer songs are the ones that really stick out. When it comes to Smith’s renditions of songs popularized by such artists as Chris Tomlin, Delirious, and Hillsong United, it felt as if things stumbled a little. It’s not a bad album, but it’s not as good as his previous two outings of this nature.
This review has been reprinted on NRT with permission from The Christian Manifesto. Click here to visit TheChristianManifesto.com today!
Michael W. Smith [A New Hallelujah]| Posted October 31, 2008 [MAIN REVIEW]
Michael W. Smith does a great job on his new album, A New Hallelujah. I always enjoy getting in a relaxed, quiet, and worshipful atmosphere and popping in a good worship album and this CD is now going to be my new first choice for that. When I pressed play and the intro began I was already “feeling it” because I love when artist read scriptures and uses spoken words and this did just that.
The next few tracks had great message to them and were very well performed. I enjoyed the tracks “A New Hallelujah” and “When I Think Of You” being performed with the African Children’s Choir. I am always amazed at the voices and the anointing of those children’s choirs. As soon as the CD player rolled over to track 5 and the first beat hit I recognized one of my most recent favorite worship songs, “Mighty to Save.” From this point on, at least for me, the album seemed to really pick up.
Many of the songs became familiar and truly a great line up of selections to help lead anyone into a worship experience. In the midst of familiar lyrics and beats were some very new and fresh songs that were very powerful, track 8 for example, “Deep in Love with You,” really focused in on the extravagant love between the believer and God. As I said before the tracks just built up so nicely and stayed constant with a good worshipful feel to the whole album. The album culminated with a song entitled, “The River is Rising.” I felt this was a great song to end it on as it left me wanting more as I wanted to experience the river of God.
CLOSING THOUGHTS
In closing I thought this album was very well executed, some worship albums are just a selections of worship songs burnt on to a CD, but I felt this was nicely put together to help the listeners experience a worship service wherever they may be.
Rating: 9.3 out of 10 (93%, A-)
Review written by: Dale Clayton | 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!
Near Perfect| Posted October 28, 2008
I am not new to Michael W. Smith's Music... but I am fairly new to liking it however. Ever since his Christmas album released last year, I realised his true artisitc genius. Being an indifferent fan to other recent projects like "Healing Rain", and the "Worship" series, I was immediatley catapulted into fan-land when the INTRO started on this new offering "A New Hallelujah". This epic and beautiful album is sure to be the crowning acheivment in his worship franchise.
From the intense drum beats on the opening track "Prepare Ye The Way", to the touching duet "Help Is On The Way", with Israel Houghton, you will be held captive by, should be instant classics like, "A New Hallelujah" and the afore mentioned song "Prepare Ye The Way", as well as modern classics "Mighty To Save", "Shout Unto God", and "Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)", and classic classics like, "I Surrender All".
Lyrically "Smitty" is in prime form, keeping most songs simple but insightful. "When I Think Of You" is a fantastic exploration of how we relate to God and how He relates back to us. "Help Is On The Way" is an emotional and touching song that is sure to encourage you at all times.
Its gonna be tough for Smitty to beat himself at his own game... but if he keeps up his good work and continues to rely on God for inspiration, I will highly anticipate his next album!
A New Hallelujah| Posted November 17, 2011
A powerfully charged live worship release by MWS that is a great complement to the worship albums he has released previously, but that still stands on it's own in large part due to the unique elements brought in by Israel Houghton and the African Children's Choir. I really liked the arrangements, power and mixing on this release and thought the blend of performers with the audience created a very beautiful sound that draws you to join in worshipping. An excellent release in MWS extensive catalog.
Michael W. Smith scores again!| Posted October 04, 2010
Michael W. Smith is an awesome worship leader and singer. Every one of his albums make big sales and his concerts are sold out every time. With A New Hallelujah, Michael W. Smith does not fail to write great songs of praise.
My favorites from this album would be A New Hallelujah, Mighty to Save, and Healing Rain. These are all great songs. They are being sung in churches all around North America. I really liked his version of Mighty to Save, especially the new bridge. Smith did a very good job with the song and with this entire album. Anyone who likes worship music cannot pass up buying this album.
uplifting| Posted January 26, 2010
I liked this album. As always, it is full of great songs that honor God. I love all of the new songs that Michael has recorded for this album. They are very uplifting.
A New Hallelujah| Posted December 24, 2008
this is one of the best worship albums of all time! the title track, A New Hallelujah, is my favorite on there. when i hear it, i think about how wonderful it will be when we get to heaven, and we'll be able to sing new songs to God, together!
Best| Posted November 17, 2008
Best sooooo awesome and the guy that sings in spanish Coalo Zamorano i have his ablum and he is amazzzzzzzzzzzing i love him..... really this abulm is great!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
3rd Times a Charmer| Posted November 03, 2008
This album is a great companion piece to Smitty's previous "Worship" and "Worship Again" albums. He includes some modern classics ("Amazing Grace/My Chains Are Gone," "Mighty to Save")as well as some catchy new titles ("New Hallelujah," "River is Rising"). The inclusion of the African Children's Choir is a definite plus. Although many of the songs have lyrics that are more simplistic than we are used to hearing from MWS, the album still has an infectious energy that is sure to bring the listener into God's presence.
A New Hallelujah| Posted October 30, 2008
This is an awesome album. I have listened to it several times this week. It is nice just to be able to join with Michael W Smith and worship the living God through the music on this album. I thoroughly enjoy it and I think others will too. I am going to buy it for my own library of christian music.
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