Tim Hughes [Happy Day]
Posted October 20, 2009
By christianmusicreview,
[MAIN REVIEW]
Modern worship songwriter, two-time Song of the Year GMA Dove Award winning artist Tim Hughes releases in the U.S. his first-ever live DVD/CD, Happy Day on Oct. 20. The high-energy, celebratory Happy Day was recorded live before a capacity crowd at the famous London venue, Shepherds Bush Empire. Opening with the brand new corporate anthem “Jesus Saves,” the recording features a combination of favorite worship songs and brand new tunes written by Hughes.
As the writer and singer of all-time classic worship songs “Here I Am To Worship”, “Beautiful One” and “Consuming Fire”, I’ve been singing Tim’s songs for many years and have always found his albums to be worshipful and uplifting. The energy of this live recording is how these songs were meant to be experienced, amongst a body of believers. The album starts off with one of the four new songs “Jesus Saves”, a great new worship anthem sure to be added to church worship services in the near future.
“Beautiful One” has been covered by Jeremy Camp, Passion Worship Band and By The Tree, and this live version is now my favorite version of the song. “Give Us Your Courage” is next, another new song and the songs flow nicely as you get to meditate on the challenging lyrics mixed with catchy melodies.
Tim’s live version of “Here I Am To Worship” is phenomenal, and although churches have been singing this song for almost a decade, this version is fresh and very powerful. This worship anthem has been covered by Hillsong, Michael W. Smith, Jeremy Camp, SonicFlood and Passion Worship Band, among others. Tim is truly a gifted songwriter similar to fellow British worship artist Martin Smith from Delirious? who shares the stage with Tim to perform his all-time classic song Another new song “Remember” is next and reflects on the ‘story of the cross’.
“Happy Day” and “Dance” pick up the tempo and create a celebratory atmosphere with “Happy Day” exclaiming “Jesus Is Alive…I’ll never be the same, forever I am changed”. Both songs are fun and have great audience participation as you’ll find yourself clapping and singing along with Tim and the crowd. “Consuming Fire” is less known overall, but for me is the most moving worship song that Tim has written. I can’t help but be moved when Tim passionately sings the bridge “stir it up in our hearts Lord, passion for Your Name”.
“We Won’t Stay Silent” is another new song which is also featured on the CompassionArt: Creating Freedom from Poverty recording. All the royalties ever received from this song will go to benefit the poorest of the poor. The album closes with “God of Justice” and a great reflective version of “When I Survey”.
CLOSING THOUGHTS
For me, these live versions of “Beautiful One”, “Here I Am To Worship”, “Consuming Fire” and new song “Jesus Saves” are among the best worship songs of the decade. If you like Matt Redman, Chris Tomlin and Delirious? then you’ll love Happy Day by Tim Hughes.
Rating: 9.5 out of 10 (95%, A-)
Review written by: Kevin Davis | 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!
View All Music And Book Reviews By christianmusicreview | View christianmusicreview's Profile
|
