Christy Nockels [Into The Glorious]
Posted April 04, 2012
By KevinDavis_NRT, Staff Reviewer
One of Christian music's most recognizable and prolific female voices, Christy Nockels, was born in Fort Worth, Texas. Together as Watermark, Christy and her husband Nathan recorded five albums with Rocketown Records, including hit songs "Knees To The Earth," "My Heart Your Home" and "Glory Of Your Name." Christy and Nathan have served at Passion Conferences since 1997 and in 2008, they moved to Atlanta, GA to be a founding family of Passion City Church. Christy released her first solo worship project, Life Light Up three years ago and I’ve been anxiously waiting for her follow-up album. “Ever Lifting” is the opening track and lead single from Into The Glorious and features a new musical style including a banjo. Christy knocks it out of the park with one of my favorite new songs of the year. True to her worshipful lyrics, she proclaims her ministry in the hook-filled refrain—“I’m lifting my voice just to sing a new song, I’m lifting my hands to show You I know where I belong, I’m lifting my eyes so I see You clearly, You are ever lifting me Jesus.” Amen!
“For Your Splendor” and “Into The Glorious” are absolutely incredible and personal prayers flawlessly delivered by Christy’s sweet and sincere vocals. I’m emotionally moved by the chorus of “For Your Splendor,” as it addresses my heart’s cry to be found in Christ: “With my roots deep in You, though I’m small I’ll still be standing in the storm, and I’ll grow up strong and beautiful all for Your splendor Lord.” The anthemic title track is a surefire hit song with another prayerful refrain reminding me of Brooke Fraser’s brilliant and gorgeous song “Shadowfeet,” both in music and message. I hang on every note as Christy belts out her “heart’s cry” to God—“Out from the ordinary, into the extraordinary…I can hear You calling and inviting me into the glorious.”
The stunning studio version of “Waiting Here For You” is next. It was one of my favorite songs from last year and I can't get enough of Christy's sincere and powerful vocals. It reminds me of her classic Watermark songs, "Gloria", "My Heart, Your Home" and "Holy"--as well as her previous Passion recordings, "Hosanna" and "Healing Is In Your Hands," which is also on this album. Like those songs, "Waiting Here For You" also gives me chills. I could hardly imagine Christy could out-sing herself after "Healing Is In Your Hands," but don't miss this amazing song. You'll be mesmerized by the power and beauty of the lyrics and Christy's incredible vocals. The same goes for her studio versions of her brand new songs “How I Love You” and my new favorite worship anthem “Sing Along” also featured on the most recent Passion: White Flag recording.
CLOSING THOUGHTS
Christy Nockels has long been one of the premier female vocalists in Christian music and this brilliant five star album Into The Glorious was well worth the almost three year wait. Every song is worshipful, catchy, moving and powerful. This is my favorite female solo album of the year along with Audrey Assad’s Heart. Christy's tender and powerful vocals are captivating on the stand-out songs “Ever Lifting,” “For Your Splendor,” “Into The Glorious,” “Your Love Is Moving,” “Healing Is In Your Hands,” “Waiting Here For You,” “How I Love You” and her stunning worship anthem, “Sing Along.” There are no weak songs and this album is truly a masterpiece. Without a doubt, Into The Glorious is my top worship album of the year. View All Music And Book Reviews By KevinDavis_NRT | View KevinDavis_NRT's Profile
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