CompassionArt is a charity that joins the dots between art and poverty. CompassionArt’s goal is to create Freedom From Poverty by raising money to help breathe life into the poorest communities, restoring hope and igniting justice.
It Started When
Martin Smith (Delirious? frontman) found himself sitting in 5-star hotel rooms, then going to the slums to minister to the poor. The dichotomy of it all hurt him to the core. He decided to give back what he has: a microphone, a platform and the ability to write songs, and asked some of his closest friends to join him and do the same. His friends happened to be among the most well-known and gifted songwriters/artists in Christian music - Paul Baloche, Steven Curtis Chapman, Stu G (Delirious?), Israel Houghton, Tim Hughes, Graham Kendrick, Andy Park, Matt Redman, Martin Smith (Delirious?), Michael W. Smith, Chris Tomlin, Darlene Zschech. Together the group crafted songs to change the world, welcoming the help of some genre defining vocalists to record these songs on - Kirk Franklin, Amy Grant, Joel Houston, Leeland Mooring, Christy Nockels, tobyMac, CeCe Winans.
The end result...
A CD/DVD project titled CompassionArt: Creating Freedom From Poverty that is determined to engage people everywhere to help end world poverty. Featuring 14 brand new songs from 19 of Christian Music’s most accomplished artists and a 50-minute documentary of the movement, all the proceeds from the songs will directly impact the poorest of the poor around the world. Releasing January 27th, 2009, CompassionArt: Creating Freedom From Poverty brings inspiration to all who have taken part, all who will listen, and all who want to have a part in helping those less fortunate in our world.
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01.
Come To The Water - vocals by Chris Tomlin, Martin Smith, Kirk Franklin and Watoto Children's Choir
02.
Shout Praise - vocals by Israel Houghton, tobyMac and Darlene Zschech
03.
King Of Wonders - vocals Matt Redman, Tim Hughes and Joel Houston
04.
Lead Me To The Rock - vocals by Paul Baloche
05.
We Won't Stay Silent - vocals by Steven Curtis Chapman and Tim Hughes
06.
Highly Favoured - vocals by Amy Grant, Michael W. Smith and Watoto Children's Choir
07.
Fill My Cup - vocals by Martin Smith and CeCe Winans
08.
Friend Of The Poor - vocals by Leeland Mooring and Andy Park
09.
King Of The Broken - vocals by Darlene Zschech, Israel Houghton and Leeland Mooring
10.
You Have Shown Us - vocals by Chris Tomlin, Paul Baloche and Steven Curtis Chapman
11.
Until The Day - vocals by Darlene Zschech and Graham Kendrick
12.
Let It Glow - vocals tobyMac and Kirk Franklin
13.
So Great - vocals by Michael W. Smith, Israel Houghton and Christy Nockels
14.
There Is Always A Song - vocals by Martin Smith, Steven Curtis Chapman and Watoto Children's Choir
15.
There Is Always A Song (Reprise) - vocals by vocals by Martin Smith, Steven Curtis Chapman and Watoto Children's Choir
Various Artists [CompassionArt]| Posted February 02, 2009 [MAIN REVIEW]
When I received this album for review it came to me with the usual press material and a word from Jay Heilman (founder of Christian Music Review) letting me know only that the album was “highly anticipated”. I, myself, hadn’t actually heard of the project before, and since I make a practice of not reading any background prior to listening to an album I'm reviewing (my way of making sure I remain unbiased toward the music), I simply went ahead, pressed play and dived head first into the music.
So today, after listening to this album for nearly a week, I finally took my first look at the accompanying press material and the album’s website before sitting down to write this review. Man, I have to tell you how surprised and incredibly impressed I was when what I had assumed was strictly an extraordinary compilation of work, turned out to be something much more special and far more reaching than I had imagined – in reality, a trend setting movement.
Separated from all of the build-up and promotion, and apart from all the surrounding buzz, the CompassionArt release is quite simply a masterpiece of worship. The genius of the album not only comes from the 19 talented artists who contributed to it and the level of creative synergy that was reached, but the way the styles converged in a unity of cause and belief. The music presented a dynamic medium for a message which I believe can only be explained by the involvement of the Holy Spirit – the album’s 20th contributor. I want to tell you unequivocally that the compositions included here are as solid and meaningful as the worthy causes they support.
The CompassionArt initiative is an artist-backed charity founded by Martin Smith of Delirious? that is (to quote the website), "dedicated to seeing works of art generate income for the poorest of the poor." The current album is a central component for the launching of the charity. By releasing all current and future rights and royalties to the music contained in the CompassionArt album, Martin Smith, Michael W. Smith, Chris Tomlin, Darlene Zschech, Paul Baloche, Steven Curtis Chapman, Stu G (Delirious?), Israel Houghton, Tim Hughes, Graham Kendrick, Andy Park, Matt Redman, Kirk Franklin, Amy Grant, Joel Houston, Leeland Mooring, Christy Nockels, tobyMac and CeCe Winans have insured that 100% of the proceeds from the sale and reproduction of their work will go directly to helping those in need.
Conclusion:
After listening to the 15 inspiring tracks and learning the story behind this incredible album, if you're not moved by CompassionArt, you're simply not alive. Go out and buy this album because one of your favorite artists is on it. Go out and buy this album because you feel compelled to play a role in carrying out the Lord’s work to help the poor and needy across the globe. Go buy this album to witness a special moment in the history of Christian Music. Go buy this album because you long to experience the Holy Spirit at work. Whatever the reason…Go out and buy this album!
For more Christian Music Reviews By Aaron, visit: http://reviewsbyaaron.com
CLOSING THOUGHTS
Not often does a Christian album come along that combines music, message and purpose in a way that transcends an album or even an industry. This one does. You don’t want to miss it.
Rating: 10 out of 10 (100%, A+)
Review written by: Aaron Hassen | 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!
CompassionArt| Posted April 09, 2009
FINALLY!!!!!!!!!!
i've been hearing about this album since June of last year, and it's Finally out, and in my cd library! it was annoying because my local radio station first advertised about this album in June, then quit by about August, and i never heard a single word about it again until After it came out! but it was well worth the wait! it's an awesome album! i love the whole idea behind the project, and support it!
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