CD REVIEWS: Mormon Tabernacle Choir & Friends & City of Enoch: Sweet Redeemer

MORMON TABERNACLE CHOIR & FRIENDS

by Mormon Tabernacle Choir

Source: Deseret Book for review

ABOUT THE CD

The Mormon Tabernacle Choir has collaborated with some of the most legendary vocalists and performers over the years. For this album, the Choir has assembled an unprecedented collection of recordings taken from standout performances over the past 15 years. Most of these performances were recorded live at the 20,000+ seat Conference Center in Salt Lake City. In addition, some real gems were uncovered or created specifically for this album, including a performance recorded live before millions of viewers at the start of the 2002 Winter Olympics (Sting & Yo-Yo Ma performing "Fragile") and new recordings such as Amy Grant's "Thy Word," The King's Singers' "I'm Running On," and Santino Fontana's "He Lives in You."

REVIEW

Mormon Tabernacle Choir & Friends is a delightful compilation of songs that the choir has sung with a variety of different professional musicians over the years.  Starting with the choir performing with Sting and Yo-Yo Ma in "Fragile" the choir performs brilliantly.  I thoroughly enjoyed listening to the wide variety of different styles and performers.  Some of these I'd heard elsewhere such as "Through Heaven's Eyes" with Brian Stokes Mitchell at a Christmas concert several years ago, but most of them I hadn't heard before.  While these songs may not have the spiritual touch that so much of the choir's work does, they highlight the skill and versatility that the choir possesses.  I recommend this collection for those who are already fans of the choir as well as those who may not have enjoyed their work before.  Check out the sample tracks here.

SWEET REDEEMER

City of Enoch

Shadow Mountain Records, 2017

Source: Deseret Book for review

ABOUT THE CD

City of Enoch is the group that you have been waiting for, with a captivating sound that is described as “Lady Antebellum harmonies meet Christian Contemporary praise.” This debut album from a rising trio features new songs, great Christian covers, and an incredible new arrangement of the classic hit “He Hears Me”.

REVIEW

I enjoyed listening to the music of this new group called City of Enoch.  I'd categorize their music as Christian pop, with it's great messages yet upbeat pop sound. I only recognized one of the songs on this album but the arrangement was definitely different.  I enjoyed all the songs, especially the ones about the Savior.  The title song Sweet Redeemer was my favorite though.  What a comforting, sweet message about the love of the Lord for us.  I also really enjoyed the two songs based on stories from the Book of Mormon, Bountiful, about the visit of the Savior to the temple in Bountiful in the Americas, as well as 2000 about the Stripling Warriors.  A fun, yet sweet new collection of songs for all those who love the Lord and beautiful music.  I highly recommend that you check it out.

25th ANNIVERSARY OF THE FORGOTTEN CAROLS SPOTLIGHT & GIVEAWAY

While it has been several years since I've attended a performance of The Forgotten Carols, I can tell you this:  the music is beautiful and the message sweet.

Popular Musical Production ‘The Forgotten Carols’ celebrates 25th Anniversary

The Forgotten Carols, a seasonal concert favorite, celebrates its 25^th anniversary this year.  Michael McLean, a well-known performer, composer, songwriter, author and director staged his first one-man concert in 1991 with the hopes of it becoming a tradition families would enjoy. For those first performances McLean played all the parts to give people a sense of how families could create their own narration at home.

Over the course of the last 25 years, McLean’s modest one-man show has evolved into a huge theatrical production with over 1 million concertgoers enjoying the music that has become a time-honored Christmas tradition and attracts repeat attendance from guests of all ages. The show has been produced all over the world in limited runs, including shows in Ireland, Germany, England and even Ukraine. “One of the great things about touring is seeing the familiar faces that have been coming for years and are part of the Forgotten Carols family,” shares McLean. “New comers and longtime devoted fans of this production keep the magic of the performance alive. We embrace, giggle, and sometimes cry at these reunions.” 

The Forgotten Carols 2016 concert schedule includes performances in four states Utah, Idaho, Nevada, and Arizona. The production has arranged over 20 shows in 12 different cities and showcases an elegant arrangement of special musical choral performances and solos. McLean stars as one of the musical’s primary characters, John, an elderly gentleman who helps Constance, a young nurse who can’t be bothered with Christmas, discover a new love for the season.   

Each year, local community and student choirs are invited to perform alongside the professional Forgotten Carol company members during the concert in their cities. It’s important to McLean and the show's producers to preserve this tradition that keeps the magic alive for an enchanting experience each year.

Performance tickets are on sale now. For a complete listing of concert dates and locations or to purchase tickets visit the website at www.forgottencarols.com. 

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GIVEAWAY

The winner will receive FOUR tickets to a performance of his/her choice. 

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LOVE YOUR LIFE CD by Hilary Weeks

Hilary Weeks has released a new CD that I'd like to share with you. I've really liked the positive messages and sweet tunes of the songs she's done in the past.  I've no doubt this one will be great as well.

• 11^th Hilary Weeks CD
• Released September 16, 2016
• Charted at #7 on the Christian Billboard Charts.  I am the only LDS artist to chart anywhere on the Christian Billboard charts and my last 3 CDs have all hit the top ten.
• This CD was a blast to write because I did a lot of co-writing.  The collaborations were so much fun.  I wrote with Nik Day, Cheri Call, Tyler Castleton, Anjanette Mickelson, Stephen Nelson, Scott Wiley and Dustin Christensen.
• Dustin Christensen (Co-writer and back ground vocalist on the CD) was recently on The Voice, turning all four chairs during his audition which has over a million views on YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nruxkb1EGCM
• CD was recorded in Nashville with the best musicians Tennessee has to offer.

Click here for a music sample.

EXCLUSIVE PHOTOS FROM THE PHOTO SHOOT

PICTURE BOOK REVIEW w/ CD Giveaway: My Home Can be a Holy Place by Kristen M. Oaks

MY HOME CAN BE A HOLY PLACE

by Kristen M. Oaks, illustrated by Dan Burr

Deseret Book, 2015

Source: publisher for review

All opinions expressed are solely my own.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Lily is a young girl who is helping to make her home a holy place.

Through Lily's story, told by Kristen M. Oaks and illustrated by award-winning Latter-day Saint artist Dan Burr, we are invited into Lily's home to share time with her family.

Children will love seeing how Lily and the other children contribute to the spiritual environment of their home through their everyday activities. We seem them praying, working together, eating dinner as a family, reading the scriptures, counseling together to make good decisions, participating in family home evening, sharing the gospel with friends and family, and learning to love one another. They love the Lord and feel His Spirit in their home.

This delightful book shows readers of every age how homes can becomes holy places in which children grow up in the Lord.

The website www.HomeCanBeAHolyPlace.com is designed to be a living document. It develops the themes introduced in the book and is enriched by contributions from reader to reinforce teachings, expand ideas, and inspire children and parents to make their home a holy place.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR/ILLUSTRATOR

KRISTEN MCMAIN OAKS has spent much of her life teaching. She earned a bachelor's degree in English, a master's degree in special education (both from the University of Utah), and a doctorate degree in curriculum and instruction from Brigham Young University. She was a former educational consultant in the publishing industry, instructing teachers and supervisors both nationally and internationally. She was also a Visiting Assistant Professor at BYU and served a full-time mission to Japan. After marrying Elder Dallin H. Oaks, she taught and trained auxiliaries in the Philippines for two years while he served as Area President. She currently serves on the board of trustees of the Deseret International Foundation and the Primary Children's Hospital and recently authored the book, A Single Voice. In addition to her love of teaching, she loves being a wife, mother, and grandmother. She and her husband reside in Utah.

DAN BURR, an award-winning illustrator, earned a bachelor of fine arts degree from Utah State University and a master's degree in illustration from Syracuse University. He and his wife, Patti, are the parents of two children and live in Tetonia, Idaho. Dan has illustrated many children's books, including The Miracle of the Wooden Shoes, I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day, The Mansion, and The Christmas Train.

BOOK REVIEW

While not strictly a story, My Home Can Be a Holy Place, shares the experiences of Lily and her family as they strive to make their home a holy place.  Each page details a particular aspect of their efforts, a home of prayer, a home where members work together, a home blessed by priesthood power, etc.  Additionally, each page has a quote from a general authority or a scripture that highlights the principle being shared.  Dan Burr's illustrations are gorgeous (as usual) and do a beautiful job of highlighting important aspects of the text. The book would work well with younger children and families that need help focusing on making their home a better place.  Plus the book is just a beautiful reminder of what an ideal home looks like.  While home is rarely a perfect place, following the principles outlined in this book will sure bring a family that much closer to it.  Perfect for family home evenings or even bedtime.

ABOUT THE CD

From one of the world's premier violinists comes a new collection of beautiful songs celebrating family and motherhood. The album features classic hymns, such as "Love at Home" and "I Am a Child of God," stunning classical arrangements, including Brahms's "Cradle Song," and beloved children's tunes. The gorgeous track "Love Is Spoken Here" features Jenny performing with all four of her children, ages eleven and younger.

Track list:

Love at Home

Jesus Once Was a Little Child

Songs My Mother Taught Me

I Feel My Savior's Love

Brahms's Cradle Song

I Am a Child of God

Love Is Spoken Here

CD REVIEW

Jenny Oaks Baker proves once again her prowess with the violin.  I absolutely loved listening to this CD.  The songs are so tenderly shared, I don't see how you could listen to these performances and not be touched.  The arrangements are gorgeous and Baker plays beautifully.  Highly, highly recommended.

CD GIVEAWAY

1 CD of Music by Jenny Oaks Baker

US only

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GENTRI Music Video! This is Wonderful! Check it out!

DARE!  

A Music Video by Gentri

The song featured is titled “Dare” and shares the inspirational mandate to dare to dream. We had the enormous privilege to work with a young girl named Alissa Sizemore and her family on this project. Her story is truly inspiring.

About 10 months ago Alissa was involved in an accident with a delivery truck. The truck backed over her leg, and the leg had to be amputated from just below knee down. She and her sisters are dancers, and good ones to boot. Alissa and her family were unsure if she’d ever be able to dance again, let alone in such a short amount of time.