Worship Leader - March, 2006

IN REVIEW

REVIEWS OF THE NEWEST MUSIC FOR CHRISTIANS

BREAK THROUGH: LIVE AT SADDLEBACK Tommy Walker Record 43, LLC

Daniel Doss Band

When Daniel Doss made his Song DISCovery debut on volume 52 (“Love Like Rain”), it was an instant addition to worship set lists across the country. And when, on SD 54, people heard his next breathtaking cut “Light Is Shining,” they knew he wasn’t a fluke. The thing is, there are about five other songs from his new release, Love Like Rain, that we’d like to put on other volumes, but we are not going to tie your shoes for you. From here on out, you’re on your own. We can only do so much.

It was the last night of a week of worship training at the Purpose Driven conference at Saddleback Church in Southern California. As is the custom in that area of the country, it was hot and the conference attendees were tired, filled with knowledge, but tired. Then Tommy Walker took the stage and led the worship leaders in a way that breathed life into everything they learned that week. It was so moving that during the concert Lincoln Brewster told Worship Leader’s technology editor, Kent Morris, “This is the most amazing worship event I have experienced.” Break Through is the live re-cording of that wonderful night.

The son of a music minister and music teacher, Doss grew up around music and worship. His first job as a worship leader was during his senior year in high school, where for eight months he was the song leader for a church of about eight people outside of his hometown of Martin, Tennessee. But it was during college that Doss developed a passion for the piano. After a few years of playing and writing, he was inspired by a buddy of his to start composing songs for the Church. So he began focusing his songwriting on giving voice to God’s people.

Doss shares, “I want to write music for today with lyrical truths of eternity, songs that move people closer to God.” That he does in a heart-on-his-sleeve worship troubadour style. His music gathers your heart in its down-home feel that’s as exciting and disarming as the hiss of a radiator that has been pushed to the brink of overheating. There is a grainy quietness to Doss’ vocals, and combined with his guitar-driven form that flirts with indie rock, country and folk traditions, it often feels like it is shoveling earth into the empty space in your heart. As is evident from his multiple inclusions on Song DISCovery, we at Worship Leader believe in Doss’ music. Check out his new CD for an instant favorite and a pile of music that will bless your congregation as you gather before God in song.

And just like the evening of worship, Break Through is full of tracks— nearly all of them new—that come at you one after the other with the power to get your praise on. “All About Your Glory” carries an infectious flow of gospel and praise that highlights Walker”s warm vocal presence. Then the cover of “To God Be the Glory” is given a TW twist—guaranteed to infuse it with a new life in churches around the world. But it”s in the standout (and title) track, “Break Through” that we get a song, along the lines of “He Knows My Name,” that carries an anointed truth in such an accessible tone the Church for years to come will be blessed. And those are just the first few songs, Break Through is an outstanding offering the whole way through and an outstanding example of worship leading.

Jeremy Armstrong

WL TAKEAWAY: What can we say? Worship leaders need thisrelease.Itisfullofnewsongsfortheircongregation,andit willgiveyouaprofoundworshipexperiencewitheachlisten.